I used to live near SNP and enjoyed some day hiking there, but at that time, even using guidebooks, it was difficult to find circuit or loop day hikes. I did some day hikes on the AT but often had to hike one way and then halfway turn around and  retrace my steps. The AT through SNP, however, is nice and I highly recommend it. If you have not yet hike to the top of Old Rag, put it on your bucket list. I found it more challenging than I expected.   ... View more

Where in Ohio, generally speaking? I have cycled in  Cuyahoga Valley National Park and loved it, but Ohio sometimes seems too flat for this native West Virginian and I have not done any hiking or backpacking there even though I live just across the river. BTW, I drive a 2014 Forester. ... View more

Who washes their hair in the backcountry? I feel lucky when I can rinse off with water from a stream, or better yet, water warmed up in a solar shower. ... View more

The best thing to carry for bear protection is common sense. I usually hike and backpack with a bear bell so that I do not surprise any bears. On overnights, I carry and use a Bear Vault to store food and other aromatic things that might attract bears. I cook and eat away from my tent. I try to keep a clean campsite. I have seen bears in wilderness areas, national parks, and other areas where I hike and backpack but have never been bothered by them. ... View more

@r_cox - I am not sure what you mean by "central Pennsylvania" but there is always the Appalachian Trail for hiking and backpacking. Father south in Maryland the C&O Canal Path is great for cycling and short hikes. I think it would get boring on a long hike. And to the south and west there is the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area and the Otter Creek Wilderness Area in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, and even more wilderness areas father south in the Mon, like Laurel Fork and Cranberry. To the west, approaching Pittsburgh, there is the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) for day hiking and backpacking and the Great Alleghany Passage (PA) for cycling. The LHHT and GAP meet up in Ohiopyle State Park, which offers some great white kayaking and rafting as well as day hiking. ... View more

And you could also do a little gardening while resting! BTW, sit pads also make great back pads for day packs that don't have any or very thin, flimsy ones. ... View more

This would be my option, "Find the softest flexing SPD compatible shoes and stay clipless" but what do you mean "stay clipless" if you have SPD shoes? I ride in a pair of soft, flexing, SPD shoes from Trek/Bontrager I have hiked a mile or two in. I also use two sided pedals, one side for clipping in and the other flat for street shoes. When bike camping I carry Crocks or Tevas for wearing when not on the bike, and the two sided pedals allow me to take short trips without having to put on my SPDs. ... View more

I have been using an old style Therm-a-rest inflatable pad I picked up for half price because of a blemish. I love it and has served me well, but REI does not carry the new model. There is an REI branded version https://www.rei.com/product/179042/rei-co-op-sit-pad If I did not not already have it, I would either use the  Therm-a-Rest Z-lite Seat Pad that  @REI-JohnJ  mentioned or cut one from an old or cheap closed cell foam pad. The new Therm-a-rest   and similar and lower priced items, are available from that big online retailer that begins with "A".  Amazon.com : Therm-a-Rest Lite Seat Ultralight Inflatable Seat Cushion, Blue, 13 x 16 Inches : Sports & Outdoors ... View more

I have never had a wet floor issue in any tent I have used in the past 45 years.  What tent are your using?  Does it have a fly? Make sure the tent is not pitched in a basin or in the midst of a water course if it rains. Use a footprint or waterproof tarp underneath but make sure that what you put under the tent does not extend beyond the tent edges, otherwise it will collect rain water and allow it to move under the tent floor. ... View more

Thanks for the heads up about the Jetboil Stash, but I have never been a Jetboil aficionado. I tend to shy away from specialized gear that will not necessarily work with other systems or serve many functions. I am more low tech and quite happy with my Pocket Rocket II. The titanium cup I use to store the stove and fuel cannister in, as well as cook in, can also serve as a regular cup to drink out of and can also be placed on a fire or over coals if need be.  ... View more

I use the one-person REI Quarter Dome 1 that I purchased three years ago for backpacking and bike touring and love it. I am 5'8" and find it very roomy with plenty of room to store my pack and boots under the vestibule. I recently went car camping with an old two-person Kelty Quartz and wished I had taken my Quarter Dome instead. The Quarter Dome is a lot easier to get in and out of than the Quartz was. The only down side to the Quarter Dome is that it is not a four season tent while the Quartz is. I agree with those who would opt for the smaller tent at less weight, all other things being equal. Maybe you should just make sure what ever tent you buy has a "Q" in the name. ... View more