Can tell ya what I have done and will do again. It should work out unless you plan to spend a couple of days in St. Charles. I camp at Klondike Park, and do an out and back from there to St. Charles. It is 27 miles one way, so I spend a little time seeing the sights, get brunch or lunch and just do whatever, then head back to Klondike Park camp there again then head on back up the trail the next morning. If you plan to go to the end, at Machens, that would be approx 77 mile round trip. Wish there was someplace in St. Charles to tent camp but I guess hotels and motels rule.