Day Trip Hiking? (live in, land, tree)

[demtion35]

Typically, if you head out for a day trip of hiking, do usually hike at least 5-6 miles round trip? Or 6-8 miles round trip, or even up to 10-12 miles round trip? Longer? Which part of Minnesota do you tend to hike in the most?

[2x3x29x41]

Originally Posted by demtion35

Typically, if you head out for a day trip of hiking, do usually hike at least 5-6 miles round trip? Or 6-8 miles round trip, or even up to 10-12 miles round trip? Longer? Which part of Minnesota do you tend to hike in the most?

I live in southeastern Minnesota. Long trails are in relatively short supply here, though they're more bountiful than in the western/southwestern portion of the state. There is no typical. My town has a very nice preserve where I can snatch 15 minutes of walking in the woods if that's all the time I have. Or I can make an outing of a few miles. Obviously, the dynamic is different in the Arrowhead where trails abound amid the state's most interesting terrain. Also, there is more preserved land there than elsewhere.

I'll happily do 10+ mile days when I can, though it tends to be on trips elsewhere. I visited my sister in Los Angeles in April, and that trip included long hiking days in both the San Gabriel Mountains (adjacent to LA) and Joshua Tree (about two hours to the east). My sister loves the trail and is constant out on it, hiking and backpacking. The openness of the terrain there - especially in the desert - expands the opportunities, as off-trail hiking is often easy due to the relative lack of vegetation.

[riffle]

10-12+ miles
Interstate State Park (both MN and WI) is my favorite from the Cities. Closest place with a real Northwoods feel.