A moderate trail worth exploring is the Deep Step
Trail in Sumter National Forest, South Carolina. The
Deep Step Trail is part of the Forks Areas Trail System, and it is comprised of several hardcore loops
and turns that will send you flying down to the bottom
in no time at all. It is a steep climb to the summit,
but it is also the shortest trail of the system, at only
5 miles long. This length, along with the options to
follow different lines, makes Deep Step an ideal trail
for beginners, as well as more experienced riders.
If you enjoy Deep Step, the next challenge would
be the Great Wall Trail (within the same Forks Area),
which is about 3 miles longer than Deep Step, and
more difficult to maneuver in certain areas.
If you are looking for an upstate trail that is friendly
during the summer season, then make your way to
the Finger Lakes Trail of New York. You will want to
travel to Letchworth State Park for the FLT Branch
that is open to biking during the summer, as most
of the Finger Lakes Trail is closed to bikes. The season for bikes opens on the first of June, unless the
grounds are dry enough to open earlier. The trail
will start at the Hogsback Overlook parking lot and
move inland, where it will follow closely the deepest
part of the lower gorge – don’t look down! There
are outstanding views from the side-trails that lead
to small overlooks, and the pathway eventually leads
to a “long decline.” The entire trail has been rated as
difficult, and at just under 22 miles of pure flirtation
with the plunging gorges and cliffs, we can see why.
Don’t relax your muscles here; you are going to want
to stay on top of things, literally.
CANYONEERING:
UTAH, ARIZONA &
OREGON
You will need a canyoneering permit to partake in this
activity, but permits are relatively easy to obtain (you
can apply online), and/or you can utilize a guide-service, which is recommended for beginners. Some
portions of parks, depending on the individual laws,
may require that you are accompanied by a guide no
matter what level of expertise you claim. We suggest
taking a guide for the most rewarding overall experience, as they will be able to show you the ins and
outs of the systems, and provide vital information on
your journey.
LETCHWORTH
State Park
94 Summer 2016 Adventure Outdoors
If you are absolutely fascinated by rock-climbing and
canyoneering, you should add Zion National Park in
Utah to your list of places. The Zion National Park is
the perfect place, the true mecca, for canyoneering
enthusiasts. This outdoor sport combines running,
climbing, swimming, scrambling, hiking, and more,
so your limits are tested and your problem-solving
skills are sharpened. At Zion, you will utilize it all to
conquer the Narrows, the tightest section of the
Zion Canyon.