I am considering a 7-8 day trek of the 100 Mile Wilderness. I live near Lake Tahoe and most of my outdoor experience has been in the Sierra, including a thru hike of the John Muir Trail. What major difference should I consider when planning for a trek of this area?
Mike O.
I love the wilderness but you will see a train, numerous small planes and even logging trucks…
Aswah
aswah
“Its Wilderness with a small ‘w’”
–Dave Field
The Wilderness has been in the middle of a working forest for 300 plus years. And it is actually becoming more and more like a real wilderness, with more land protection deals (i.e. AMC’s purchase near White Cap/Gulf Hagas, Nature Conservancy near Rainbow)
Kineo Kid
Mike - I’m assuming that you want to know perhaps the difference in difficulty between the 100 mile wilderness & hiking in the High Sierra. I think that you will find the section in Maine considerably easier (other than maybe the Barren/Chairback range) than the High Sierra due to the signifiganty lower elevation gains/losses & lower elevation itself.
Everybody raves about the beauty of the JMT (for good reason!), but you still might be pleasantly suprised by the North Woods of Maine & especially Katahdin. I find that when I appreciate the differences, I can enjoy different areas with less prejudice.
If you have the luxury of hiking the Wilderness @ any time of the year, I would recommend mid to late September - great temps, no bugs, and awesome Fall foliage!
There is one available re-supply spot in the 100-mile wilderness @ White House Landing. Although its pricey (like VVR on the JMT), its an incredibly beautiful spot with interesting people.
Happy Trails!
PS. if you have the option of direction for your hike, I think its more spectacular to head northbound from Monson so that you can finish on Katahdin. (just as it is to finish on Whitney on the JMT) If the weather is decent, its incredible to finish your hike by traversing the “Knife’s Edge” from Baxter Peak to the South Peak and then finish down at Roaring Brook Campground (you can hitch easily in Baxter Park).
freebird
A couple more differences between the 100 Mile Wilderness and the JMT:
While the JMT (and Western trails in general) are cut for stock/equestrian use as well as human use, the AT/100 Mile Wilderness is definitely for humans only. The footpath in Maine is much more rocky and rooty than the JMT, and the grades can be much more steep. A lot of the 100 Mile Wilderness is pretty flat, but don’t expect a smooth Western-style tread. And when it gets steep, as it does in the middle third of the climb up Katahdin and in the Chairback Gap area, you won’t see any switchbacks (they don’t know the meaning of the word in New England).
Also, while much of the JMT is open, with expansive views, the 100 Mile Wilderness is mostly woods walking. You get long-distance views going up Katahdin and in a few other spots (from Barren Mtn. near Cloud Pond Shelter and from the summit of White Cap Mtn.) but mostly it’s a green-tunnel experience.
Looking back at my journals for the two trails, I made slightly better mileage on the AT, mostly because it doesn’t have the steady ups and downs of the JMT and because of the lower altitude, but I remember it as being a lot harder work.
Snowbird
I’ve hiked both and agree with Freebird and Snowbird to some degree’s. The JMT is definitely not as rough as the 100MW. The JMT has pretty long climbs where as the 100MW has short but steep and rocky ones, not to be under estimated. Yeah, it’s not as tough as southern Maine, but it’s still rugged and it’s still Maine.
As far as a wilderness experience goes, it’s nothing compared to the Sierra but boy is it beautiful. You’ll cross logging roads and might encounter the odd SUV but it’s still a very quiet corner of the world. I recommend a stop at White House Landing, if not to stay just to see the place. It’s geared towards fall/winter hunters and snow mobile types but they are also accommodating for us hikers.
Hope you’re trip is fun and welcome to Maine!
Cheers
Cheers
No one mentioned the liklihood of seeing a moose or two. They are abundant in the Maine woods. Also, plenty of loons on the ponds - especially in the evening.
Saw and heard plenty of them (moose and loons) when I went through there.
WoodBadge
Although I have yet to hike the JMT I have hiked the TYT in the Sierras, but I live in Maine. And I just spent the long weekend in the Nahmakanta unit, which is adjacent to the 100MW.
Remember folks, this is a commonly used term for this stretch, but it is not federally set aside Wilderness. There’s your difference.
You will encounter lots of water in the form of remote ponds with nary a building on them, and streams and brooks running free. It will be rocky, it will be very rooty, even little climbs like up Nesuntabunt that I did Sunday mid-day will surprise you in its ferocity. Then arriving at lovely Crescent Pond, capped off by traversing above Pollywog Stream on your way to Rainbow Stream.
It’s still beautiful wild country, with yes a few logging roads - one of which I used and paid a nice fee to drive on to access the area I hiked, as it is private land.
It’s still a gem and I’m proud that it’s in my state and accessible. I’ll be @ Abol Bridge starting mid-July as the MATC ridgerunner in the area, you will no doubt walk through here or use the Golden Rd as a shuttle access to the northern end of your hike, depending on whether you chose to then enter BSP and climb Katahdin. It’s a damn impressive mountain when viewed along that route, rising out of the lake country.
Have a great hike, it’s the classic East vs West coast hiking experience. As always, September is the month.
Bluebearee