Hi all,
I will be hiking the AT SOBO this year. I was just wondering if anyone can suggest some interesting/pretty/alt. AT routes/side trails that they’ve taken & enjoyed.
Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!
(PS–I am not trying to instigate a “purist vs. non-purist” argument here.)
Tilly
The Mau Har trail (I hope the spelling is correct) is a wonderful blue blaze. Waterfalls and prettier than the official trail (plus it cuts out about three typical not so rewarding AT climbs).
Apple Pie
In Massachusetts, the Race Brook Falls Trail connects with the AT in the saddle between Mounts Race & Everett. Last Father’s Day weekend, my hiking partner and I both had our sons with us for a section hike and descended from the AT on this trail. We were pleasantly surprised by the size and flow of the falls as we didn’t plan on using this trail, and could hear the roaring water well before we approached the falls. The descent from the AT to the top of the falls isn’t too bad, but the steep descent along the side of the falls will get your attention.
Surprisingly, when we ascended this trail a short eight weeks later to resume our hike, the water was only a trickle. Timing is everything.
Stalking Tortoise
Gulf Hagas is an 8-mile loop trail in the 100 Mile Wilderness. It may possibly be the hardest blue blaze on the AT, especially considering there’s only a couple hundred feet of elevation.
Gulf Hagas is a slate canyon, filled with waterfalls and narrow walls and innumerable overlooks. You can’t camp there, however, but if you start the day from Gulf Hagas Lean To (or Sidney Tappan campsite) you should be able to hike the Gulf and reach the campsite at East Chairback Pond - or stealth camp somewhere before.
There are other notables -
North Peak Trail, on Moxie Bald. Very short trail, great views.
Grafton Loop Trail - down by Baldpate. It would be slightly tricky to do the entire 30-mile loop without hiking extra AT miles, as the loop involves part of the AT. Some campsites on the trail, and of course the AT.
And then there’s the other half of Baxter - the northern half. Start up at Matagamon Gate, and hike down past the Traveler, South Turner, and take an easy trail up Katahdin, the Saddle Trail.
Going down Hunt will be a beach, though.
Kineo Kid
“It would be slightly tricky to do the entire 30-mile loop without hiking extra AT miles, as the loop involves part of the AT.”
Now, if you arrange transportation, you’re all set. There is a place in Andover that could assist.
Kineo Kid
I think apple pie meant the har-maupin trail (near waynesboro, VA) 
I’ve heard from more than one source that it is very beautiful…
Remy
It’s the old route of the AT before the did a relo with three climbs and extra milage. I recommend you check it out. The Virginia Creeper trail into Damascus is a nice walk as well.
Darth Pacman
Mau Har maupin har harpin mar trail (a blue blaze near the Tye river) has my vote too has some sick waterfalls perfect for swimmin in :pimp
feral
Darth Pacman’s Virginia Creeper suggestion is a good one. Actually I went that way once on a month section hike heading into Damascus. You can wear sandals on the cinder trail and there are swimming holes all the way down to Damascus.
There are some nice blue blazes in the Grayson Highlands and the last shelter (not the one 4 miles away) heading down to the NOC has the best water source blue blaze on the trail…water cascading out of solid rock into a concrete basket with a wooden lid…great stuff.
Doc Holiday
The Mau-Har trail (starting @ Maupin Field Shelter going South) is a wonderful blue blaze (especially on a hot summer day), but AT section over Three Ridges has a couple nice views.
If you take the Mau-Har Trail, make sure to take the short yellow blazed (trail maintainer humor?) side trail off the Mau-Har blue blaze down to the largest waterfall, which has two tiers and a wonderful swimming hole just below the upper falls.
Here is a website that covers the Mau-Har & Three Ridges area:
http://www.n2backpacking.com/my_hikes/virginia/ATVA7%2011_93D.htm
freebird
North to South on the AT, these diversions:
In the Shenandoah National Park North District, leave the AT by descending the Piney Branch Trail to the left, less than a mile from where the AT crosses Skyline Drive near Rattlesnake Point. Just after crossing the headwaters of Piney Branch, the PBT makes a sharp right, descending, and more or less follows Piney Branch, crossing it twice. Turn right at the Hull School Trail, first ascend it and then descend it to the Thornton River Trail. Turn right and moderately ascend TRT three miles to Skyline Drive. Cross the Drive, ascend a half-mile extension of the TRT, and rejoin the AT. There are camping opportunities near the headwaters of Piney Branch, near where PBT meets Hull School Trail, and in the vicinity of the HST/TRT junction.
In the SNP Central District, leave the AT at the south access road to Skyland Lodge, near the Stables, and hike briefly left to Skyline Drive, cross it, and descend the White Oak Canyon Trail. This is one of the more scenic places in SNP, and starting at 2.3 miles from the Drive you pass the first of six waterfalls. Past the last falls, ford the creek and take a connector trail over to Cedar Run Trail, which ascends in three miles to Skyline Drive (more falls, swim holes, a few small tentsites enroute). Cross the Drive, ascend to Hawksbill Summit (highest point in SNP). There is a day-use-only shelter and a 360-degree view at an observation platform up there. Then descend the Salamander Trail to rejoin the AT about 0.4 mi. north of the blue-blaze to Rock Spring Hut.
In the SNP South District, leave the AT near the Doyles River Falls trailhead, and descend past two very nice waterfalls via the Doyles River Falls Trail. Continue downhill until a junction with the Jones Run Falls Trail. Turn right and ascend (mostly moderate grade) on the JRF Trail past two more waterfalls. This eventually rejoins the AT near a trailhead for Jones Run. (Bonus: Near the junction of the two rivers there are some great rustic tentsites.)
These loops will be more easily located if you get the excellent three-map set for SNP produced by Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (www.patc.net).
Skyline
Skyline - these are great side trails - i hiked your #2 & #3 routes last year.
I picked up a Trails illustrated map in the Park which covers all of SNP. It has lots of additional info, like a listing of all the major waterfalls.
freebird
North of Dismal Creek Falls the Ribble Trail ascends straight up the mountain and eliminates about 5 miles. Note that it misses a fern forest around the GWNF sign that is gorgeous, but the Ribble is all climb and no extra.
Easy to get lost in the first half mile while traversing a creek before the climb.
There are many great blueblazes in GA, TN and VA. Was lucky enough to have hiked the AT again after a purist thruhike. My partner and I would randomly take trails we thought headed in the right direction. It was amazing what we found.
Also, headed into Palmerton in PA there is a trail, North Something Trail, that is open air parelleling the Lehigh River.
Can follow Ridge Road (dirt road along top of ridge) in southern PA for quite a long time.
Any FS road before a viewpt or firetower will usually take you up, see McAfee Knob, Wesser Bald.
I found MauHar boring, but it does but cut out the 3 ridges climb.
Creeper rules.
All I can think of now. Hope to get back to the Smokies to check out Cammerer.
Yahtzee