Hi. I want to do hike a week or two on the AT in August. It's the only time between family and work I can do it… Recommendations on where to hike? Weather wise? Scenery wise? North? South? I would appreciate a little help.I hope to someday through hike however I gotta take what I can get this year…. I'm open to any suggestions!
TY!
_Kay_ My opinion is that if you want a more pleasant hiking experience you should avoid the middle states and the entire Southern Appalachians except the Great Smokey Mtns National Park. Too hot and too dry. Hiking in 90 degree heat is no fun. Between Tennessee and New York the trail follows a series of long and low waterless ridges where you get the heat and the added bonus of scarce and poor quality water. I would either go somewhere North of the Hudson River or spend a week in the Smokey's.
_Francis_ My vote is for Hanover NH to one of the White Mountain notches (Franconia, Crawford, or Pinkham), depending on your pace and interests / abilities.
This hike meets the stated criteria, is reasonably accessible, starts off moderate and becomes increasingly more strenuous as you go along (commensurate with scenery).
Of course the Whites are popular, but then what part of the AT worth pursuing in August isn’t popular?
As an easier alternative you could hike the AT where it follows the Long Trail in Vermont, from the MA / VT border as far north as you have time for. Not nearly as much bang for your buck, though, imo. Nice forest, occasional views.
The AT in Mass and Connecticut is lower overall, and you could easily hit a heat wave in August with 90 degree temperatures or better.
Maine is another option, but quite a bit more remote in terms of access, and the terrain can be extreme (interspersed with some easier sections but in the course of a week or two you’d be sure to hit plenty of the hard stuff). Not to say the Whites are any easier, but there’s more support overall if you should need it.
_hoch_ Hundred Mile Wilderness in Maine is excellent. Some parts are easy some are challenging all are beautiful. You can arrainge shuttles into various parts to make the trip shorter if you would like.
_Big B_ Hi. Thanks for all of the comments back. It sounds like I'll be going up the road a bit from all of your responses. I'll keep you posted! Thanks again! Maine and NH sound interersting being from SoFla that would be a definite change of scenery!
_Kay_