Backpacking in Baumholder Fraunberg

Before I post about Berlin, I have a few other things to cover. Greg and I have been slowly accumulating all of the supplies needed to take a nice long weekend backpacking trip. REI is probably happy to add us to their membership list. Two weekends ago, we decided to try out ort equipment more locally by taking a day trip backpacking through a forest reserve area near Baumholder. On a previous trip, we stumbled onto this place on accident when we parked along the trail head to adjust our GPS. A sign we parked next to held pamphlets explaining the highlights of the trail. I kept the pamphlet just in case we decided to come out that way again.

We ended up getting lost on our way out there and probably spent more of the day driving than hiking, but once we were on the trail, it was a good time. Germans love Volksmarching, but they aren't so awesome at marking their trails. They'll have signs pointing in all directions. You'll think you're on the right route, then suddenly the trail will just end and you're forced to turn around. We maybe ended up hiking around 5 or 6 miles, but we have no way to measure. Augustus particularly enjoyed himself.

The trail is called Grafin Loretta after a Countess whose castle ruins are along the trail. The ruins were not open for visitors when we were hiking because they are under renovation. They are also in an extremely thick, densely wooded area full of thickets. Probably better to try to get through there in winter or fall. Instead, we went the opposite direction along the river Nahe. I took a lot of pictures with my phone. Greg was probably getting irritated with me for not enjoying nature enough.

Greg didn't want to be apart of the family photo.

Someone passed out on the ride home.

 Hopefully, our next hike will go a little more smoothly. At least we avoided all of the rain showers!