Hiking South or North?

imported
#1

I hiked the JMT in 2005 (see my jouranl), and want to find information about hiking the Long Trail in 2007. I am sure that there are hikers that have done both. Can any of them provide their thoughts on both trails. How do they compare? Also, most hike the JMT south, but its seems that most hike the Long Trail north. Can anyone give some advice on what direction to take?

TRIHIKER

#2

I did the LT last summer and will be doing the JMT in a few weeks - I’ll give you a comparison feedback then. I’ve done sections of the JMT in the past and the biggest difference (besides altitude) is the view. The Sierras provide frequent expansive views. The LT is a green tunnel, most of your view is restricted by the canopy. Beautiful, but a different kind of beauty.

As far as direction is concerned, most hikers hike northbound. The southern part of the trail is more gentle, the mountains in the north are much steeper, rockier, harder. The idea is to warm up in the southern part of the state so you are ready for the northern part of the state. There are also more views from the northern mountains, so as you head north the scenery gets more dramatic. I’ve heard some hikers say that heading southbound, they got used to the views up north and found the constant green in the south boring. That said, they’d warmed up in the north and could fly through the rolling southern mountains (begins to sound like a mini-AT).

I did the trail in July which meant that I was sharing the first 100 miles of the trail with AT hikers. This section of the trail was crowded. I liked the people I met and picked their brains for beta on loosing pack weight, but the quiet after the trails split was also nice. Heading northbound you are more likely to run into other hikers and form your own little community, southbound would be a more solitary experience.

Both hikes are beautiful, I’ve met people who’ve done the trail multiple times and everyone has their favorite- usually the direction they hiked first.

Tumblina

#3

Another difference is the quality of the footpath. Remember that the JMT is cut for use by stock as well as humans. Remember the nice wide JMT footpath and all those nice switchbacks on the steep grades like the Golden Staircase – forget that stuff in New England. As Thumbelina says, the southern part of the LT is mostly easy going, but the footpath in northern Vermont can be rocky, ledgy, and quite steep – there are even ladders.

I would agree with Thumbelina’s “green tunnel” comment. I section-hiked the LT, mostly north to south, but I agree that south to north would make good sense for a thru-hike.

Enjoy!

Snowbird

#4

Tumblina, I look forward in hearing about your adventure. I had a great time. Thanks to both of you for your insights.

TRIHIKER

#5

hey there,
its also funny that some of the new sections of the LT have switchbacks on hills, like hills that you would rather walk straight up and not switchback all the way up and then in places where you wish it would switch it goes straight up… oh well we can always hope!

hey snowbird, are you the snowbird i met for two weeks up until you finished at the Inn? I met you first at stratton pond shelter? if so hows it been!!??

see yall,
sinenomine aka chris

Sinenomine

#6

I hiked the LT North to South in '04 and loved it. I think the choice depends on what you want out of the hike. Here are some quick thoughts:

Advantages of going South to North:

  1. You get to build your strength for the more difficult North.
  2. Lot’s of people are hiking with you and you get to learn a lot from them and you are likely to see familiar faces regularly - or start to connect with people going your way.
  3. The trail seems to be blazed better for Northbounders.
  4. The guides are written for Northbounders.
  5. Resupply is easy for the first 100 miles, so you have opportunities to go into town and adjust your pack.

Advantages of going Southbound:

  1. If you start off slow, the North is where you really wantto spend your time. So Southbounders spenmd a higher portion of their time in the more spectacular portions of the trail.
  2. More of sense of isolation. I only met one other southbound LT thru-hiker in my 21 days on the trail.
  3. A lot of Northbounders had their heads half our of the trail by the time they got to the Northern stretches of the trail. I’d rather have that state of mind in the Southern part.
  4. Generally you can chew up the miles pretty comfortably in the south as Tumblina says.

Pedxing