Hey All,
I’ve never really been hiking before, but would like to try it during my spring break from school, March 17-28.
Is there some trail that I can hike in this period that’s beginner friendly?
Not alot of elevation changes, and no bad weather?
Maybe not on the weather thing, but at least pretty level trail with plenty of places to buy food,etc?
Steve
Steve
Sorry, but warm level trails with nearby stores and restaurants for a 10 day hike do not exist on the AT. I suggest instead that you set up camp and make day hikes or over night hikes. For example, camp at Amicalola Falls Park in GA, or camp in Blue Ridge WMA or Coopers Creek WMA and hike parts of the AT, Benton Mackeye Trail, or many other trails in the area. Gain experience camping, learn what you must carry, what’s optional. Take a one/two night overnight hike out, then turn around and come back to test your ability to pack and carry all you need.
I shuttle hikers to/from the AT and the other trails in NE Ga. You’re welcome to call, maybe I can give you ideas, if you need shuttle help I can do that too. 706-276-2520
Richard Anderson
Actually the GA AT can be a nice hike during spring break. It will be cold, but you can resupply easily at Neels Gap, Unicoi Gap, and Dicks Gap (with hitching or shuttles to town at the last two). 10 days is perfect for a slow hike.
Red Hat
Red hat has a good suggestion. Stay at Hiker Hostel (hikerhostel.com) the nite before you start. They will shuttle you to Springer. $ days to do the 30 miles to Neels Gap, 3 more days to do the 20 miles to Unicoi Gap. Go into Helen for the nite. Stay at the hiker friendly Helendorf River Inn. Then three more days to Dicks Creek Gap. 17 more miles. Hitch to either blueberry Patch or Hiawassee. Arrange your ride home from there. You will also meet lots of thru hikers starting out. You will learn a lot from them and also receive a lot of inspiration. Good luck.
Hi Red Hat, doing any AT this year?
Swamp Fox
swamp fox
i’m assuming, steve, you may want may want to access an area of the AT that is near where you live? (so that you’re not spending all your time, energy and $$$ on travel?)…knowing your general location might better help posters here on trailjournals make recommendations accordingly…for instance, the shenandoahs (though not THE most beautiful in my opinion) are FAIRLY easy (or easiER, i should say)…and might be a bit ‘friendlier’ for a novice hiker …but your biggest concern is gonna be the weather (especially this year)…we’ve seen a lot of kids get out for a march break and FREEZE out there because they thought the SOUTHERN mountains would be warm!..(not necessarily so)…the ‘day hike/car camp’ thing is a good idea…OR…if you think you can stand to wait till school is out in may, there are some beautiful sections (that will be in the throes of spring and still probably comfortable enough temperature-wise) that i think you might really enjoy…you need a ‘good’ first experience (as far as it depends on you)…grayson highlands area is AWESOME…the balds of upper east tennessee are AWESOME…mcafee knob and tinker cliffs area…AWESOME…a little further north, i really loved new york…but you probably wanna save new england until you’re in tip top hiker shape (physically…mentally…gear-wise…experience-wise)…well…i’ve rambled on here…hope this helps…whatever you do, DO get out there and experience the Creation!..you won’t be sorry!..have fun!
maw-ee
Shenandoah National Park dude, thats the way to go. That time of the year it should be relatively quiet…nice shelters, water sources, hitching opportunities, moderate elevation flucuations and great views. It’s where I started doing long range backpacking when I was in college.
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