Favorite 60 mile stretch of AT

imported
#1 
									I am trying to meet up with a NOBO thru hiking friend for a three day weekend and I want to know what section?  I would like to end somewhere I can use public transportation to get back to my car, if possible.  I'll be in good hiking shape and have a very light pack. I have already hiked the Smokies section so thats out of the picture.  I'm looking for a challenge too.  I might have another friend to go with me in a seperate car so, if needed, we can drop a car off up north somewhere.  Thanks in advance for your suggestions! 

									_Spigot_
#2 
									You might think about trying to join up for the sections from NJ23 (the entrance to High Point State Park) up to Bear Mountain Bridge.  There are a lot of advantages for what your trying to do.

First, it’s a section that thru-hikers seem to blaze through, so it’s actually a good time to distract them a bit by joining up. Second, there is fantastic road and transit access along this section. You can get a Metro North train to Port Jervis, which is a short hitch along NJ23 to High Point SP. There is also good parking at High Point, including a dedicated lot for AT hikers. There are also direct bus connections at NY17a and at Bear Mountain Inn at the end of the section and a Metro North station at Harriman just north of the trail on NY17.

Beyond just the mechanics, it’s a wonderfully varied section with some great features. The wetlands of the Pochuck and Walkill valleys, Fitzgerald Falls (which you climb right beside), the Agony Grind (but NOBO you go down it), the Lemon Squeezer, the “Sleepy Hollow” shelters of Harriman SP, wonderful sudden vistas and open mountaintops, the tower on Bear Mountain, the Inn and the Trailside Zoo and Museum just begin to cover the diversity. It’s a great section to join up on since you’ll both take more time to experience it’s joys.

If you need any info on the whats and wherefores of transit, I’ll be glad to help. This is my backyard (so to speak) and I know the systems well. With a little web work you can get around the region quite easily without a car, or you can plant a single car and get back to it easily.

									_Strategic_
#3 
									Try Damascus to Mount Rogers Ranger Station. Look into it and you'll see why... L.N.T.

									_Mount Rogers RidgeRunner_
#4 
									i was gonna suggest mt rogers/grayson highlands, too, but i also LOVED new york and that bear mtn section.... it might all depend on what time of year your friend is starting.....and where he/she will be 'whenever'......what in particular do you want to experience of 'trail life'?are you into snow?....wildflowers?.....vistas?.....a unique hostel experience?.....of course, there's nothin' like the whites, but i'm not sure about public transportation there.....from catawba,va to the james river is one of my favorite sections (in spring, the wildflowers are beautiful through here!)......also the balds of upper east tennessee!....wow! the best of everything!.....don't forget there are plenty of shuttle services out there, too, to help you get where you need to go....i think someone has a site about parking at certain trailheads on the AT, too (i.e.,which ones are safe and which aren't so safe, etc).....enjoy your hike, but watch out!....you may get 'bitten' by the AT thruhiking 'bug'!

									_maw-ee_
#5 
									You're right maw-ee, I should have mentioned this in the last post.  There is indeed a fine

Appalachian Trail Parking database, maintained by David and Cyndi Rohland as a volunteer effort. Great folks, so send them any parking info you have (and pics of parking, campsites, etc. along the trail, too.)

If you’re interested in the NJ and NY sections, then check out my journal for the pieces from NY17a to Bear Mountain bridge. It’s a good hike (even though it treated me a bit roughly the first time through :tongue) and well worth a look. I have quite a few pictures up on those parts as well, if your interested.

Good luck and good hiking!

									_Strategic_
#6 
									I recommend a section of the AT from Sams Gap (north of Asheville) north to Carver's Gap near Roan Mountain.  It is right at sixty miles and a very strenuous hike.  Miss Janet in Erwin, which is about half-way, does offer a shuttle and a hostel.  Not sure if it's open right now though.  The vistas provided here are wonderful.  Depending on trail conditions though trying to do 60 miles in 3 days over this kind of terrain would be taxing to say the least.  The last climb is about 2200' in 2.5 miles.

Another option, and personal favorite, is from Carver’s Gap to Hampton, TN. Granted it is not quite as long as the sixty miles you are looking for, but this section has it! Great 360 degree views, wildlife, numerous waterfalls, two riverwalks and a walk through a narrow and rocky gorge that is breathtaking. Difficulty varies on this section, like where you gain 900’ in 2 miles to summit Little Hump and 600’ in a mile going up Big Hump mountain only 3/4 mile later, but the views are worth the walk. Shuttles are available in this area from several individuals.

If that does not suit your fancy, I have to go with the flow and recommend Mount Rogers, beautiful any time of the year.

In my personal opinion, (that and 10 bucks will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks:lol ) a good 3-day section is the 40-some miles from US321 at Watauga Lake to Damascus, VA. A good solid ridgeway for 3 days mostly along old forest and logging roads.

									_Trekking Trav_
#7 
									The Whites were one of my favorite sections of the A.T. this past year, it's very challenging but the payoffs are well worth it.  The Mahoosucs region in Maine is probably the hardest, most rugged section on the entire thing but gorgeous.  Grayson Highlands is incredible, but a few people have already said that one.  Max Patch in North Carolina (close to Asheville) is one spot that you definitely should consider including in a section.  

									_Sir Boognish_
#8 
									Trust me.

									_The Man_