OTLHT Shakedown Day Hike – 10 miles

Are you hiking the OTLHT for the first time? Did you get a bunch of new backpacking gear and want to test it out on the trail? Maybe both? Well, then this hike is for you.

In preparation for the chapter OTLHT event, as well as the kick off to when most hikers decide to hike the OTLHT, this hike is a combination of trail time, Q&A, and low stakes practice.

We will hike with FULL Packs (packed just like you plan to hike full trail) from Riverbend Park eastward to have lunch at Hidden Lake campsite and then back to Riverbend Park. While we are at the Hidden Lake site, you will have the opportunity (and it is the overall point of the trip) to setup your tent and cook your lunch. The weather should be nice and cool, so a hot lunch or at least warm beverage will probably be pretty enjoyable. As always, prepare for rain as well as sun.

While we are having our lunch, we will have a Q&A session on the trail and any gear questions you might have. There is a pavilion with picnic tables that we can meet under if it is raining and a water source for anyone who wants to try out their water filter system.

This is an opportunity to have a personal shakedown and go over any and all gear you plan to carry on the OTLHT. This is NOT intended as a general day hike and is focused on helping new hikers prepare for the multi-day experience of the OTLHT.

We will meet at Riverbend Park in the covered area outside the bathrooms at 9:00AM with a expected departure time of 9:15AM.
The hike to Hidden Lake is approximately 5 miles and will be following the OTLHT. This should take a little under 3 hours and is not a race. We will spend around 1-2 hours, if not more at Hidden Lake. We do not want to rush anyone with their practice and lunch preparation. We will all return as a single group.