Bikepackng route with pack rafting eastern USA. NEED ROUTE IDEAS ASAP

[Ride1gear]

Looking to get a few noobs out on a couple of days ride and pack raft. We live in ohio but any options for the eastern US are welcome. I ride a fat bike most of the time but none of them do, which could be their problem. We all have ( or are expecting one) a klymit LWD For the pack raft. Let the ideas flood in.

[VermontGal]

Seems to me like the Upper Allegheny River might hold some potential: Allegheny National Forest, Clarion PA area?  No real info or experience.  I'm a native of Western PA and went to college in that area (20+ years ago).  I haven't looked at it from that perspective in particular, but if I were in Ohio, the Upper Allegheny is a place I would research.  Hope that helps!

[Ride1gear]

Great idea. I did a self contained kayak trip there a few years ago and it never dawned on me to check into it.

[jhl99]

Most of the time, the Clarion River and Allegheny Rivers have roads running right along the rivers... not sure you would really *need* a pack raft.  

The Adirondacks might offer a chance to really use a pack rack to cut short a long detour around a lake... many of the snowmobile routes go over the ice in the winter, but end at the water's edge in the summer.


The Great Allegheny Passage is within a stone's throw of the Yough for 50  miles or so... Pack raft from Ohiopyle to The Point, in downtown Pittsburgh?

[bmike-vt]

I really hope to get a packraft next spring. Really want to do this exact thing in the ADKs. Lots of water, and wilderness. Bikes can get to water, or wilderness boundary - in some really interesting places.

[steelisreal4130]

Chattooga River in GA is on the top of my list. The Trans North Georgia starts/ends there, as well as the Palmetto Trail (well, near there). Its a stunning wilderness run, with only one road crossing over 40 miles. Section II is class 2, Section III is class 3/4, and section IV is class4.  If you were up for all 3 sections it would take you about 3 days.

Another option could be the New River in WVA. Lots of dirt road and trial in the region. Upper new is class 2ish.

The Big South Fork in Tennessee would be great. Probably a 2 day trip. Again, lots of trail and dirt roads in the area.

[seanwggns]

Good call by Steelisreal. Big South Fork on the Tennessee/Kentucky border would be awesome. Lots of trail and dirt road with the river running through the middle of it. I think starting in Tn and riding up into Ky then rafting back would be fantastic. The route I have planned would take 2 days minimum and that is without rafting, so I don't think you would have any problem making it three+ day trip.

[Perfpsi]

thinking of doing a trip along the barrier island beach on the south shore of long island this march. if you guys are ok with the salt environs.
would start at historic coney island  go just under 120 to montauk pt.
pack raft can be done from the east point of the rockaway peninsula to atlantic beach 500 meters in a sheltered bay. ( fresh water accessible immediately upon landing)
also pack raft opportunities from gilgo st park to democrat point fire island 750 meters sheltered inside inlet. moriches inlet 1000 meters and sheltered by pelican island
and shinnecock inlet. while not the most technical fat bike ride the environment and scenic aspects would make this quite an adventure.

[MikeC]

Looking to get a few noobs out on a couple of days ride and pack raft. We live in ohio but any options for the eastern US are welcome. I ride a fat bike most of the time but none of them do, which could be their problem. We all have ( or are expecting one) a klymit LWD For the pack raft. Let the ideas flood in.

Klymit is pretty light for just a person, hard to imagine with a fatbike + gear too.  You might be able to make it work, but you will emphatically be in and of the water while so doing.  Drysuit and insulation mandatory.

Or, just get a bigger, more buoyant boat, then you can (probably) skip the drysuit.