The Black Forest Trail should not be your first backpacking trip. It is a rather rugged trail with many ups and downs, over rocks and streams. Teh guide book that is published by the Taidaghton Forest Fire Fighter's Association is well done and a must have if you plan to do the trail. I have been up twice and still have not finished the bugger. I have a 6 mile section between 27 and 34 miles and about 11 miles from the Navel run area as 31 miles to the end. At least I do not need a pack to hike those. I can do that in two day hikes this Spring(2006). I broke two leki poles, one on the first attempt and one on the second, going down into Red Run. Fortunately, Leki repaired them both.