Hitchhiking? - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

I read somewhere that hitchhiking is illegal in New York. Is it illegal anywhere else? Or is it illegal everywhere? Anyone know anything about any of this? Thanks.

C-Giddy

#2

It’s illegal just about everywhere along the trail here in the south. You probably wouldn’t have any trouble near the smaller towns along the AT since they rely more on hikers for revenues than the larger towns/cities. I’ve read several journals where the local sheriff stopped and gave the hikers a ride into town. It possible you could get a warning near the larger towns but I’ve never heard of someone getting arrested over it.

Nooga

#3

At road crossings, it’s a non-issue. Never heard of anyone getting ticketed. I doubt it would stand in a court anyway.

Tha Wookie

#4

“The thumb that sticks out gets chopped off.”

Mao

#5

Hitchhiking’s illegal on the Blue Ridge Parkway, GSMNP, and Skyline Drive (SNP), both National Park Service units.

It can and has been enforced, but it seems to be up to each individual Ranger. Some do, some don’t.

Having said that–many, many hikers have successfully hitched in all of these places. Methinks they just kept an eye out for white vehicles with green trim and put that thumb down whenever they saw one coming.

“Skyline”

#6

however, if you went around and politely asked friendly looking folks if they happened to be going your way, would that technically be called hitch hiking?:wink:

zero

#7

No, that would be Yogi Bear at his best. Something all hikers need to learn how to do and that is, Yogi.

In fact, in life it is a great skill to learn and to use.

Yogi. I love that bear. Who says you can’t learn anything useful from a bear? You can learn a lot from Yogi and BooBoo, if you just listen.

See you out there. :cheers

Maintain

#8

How does one “Yogi?” I mean…isn’t it just begging? Is it a matter of looking pathetic and starving? I don’t get it. And i kinda feel like it’s something i’d be ashamed to do. Yes? No? I mean, i know i’ll be looking, smelling, and living as a hobo…but do i really want to act like one?

C-Giddy

#9

Just a quick one on my best Yogi. I was in Lassen NP in Northern CA recovering from a “search and rescue” mission, where I was the “sought and rescued”. My buddy and I stayed at a campground for free and were debating where to go next (hiking that is). Decided that the answer would show itself in good time. I was having a coffee from the camp shop when I noticed a cool looking VW camper van. Went over to check it out and noticed it had Washington plates, the fir tree’s on the plate were appealing and I’d heard the PCT in the Cascades was a cool place. I sat myself down outside the shop and waited for the owner. He came out of the shop, dumped a few things in the van and sat on a bench a few yards away, enjoying a coffee. I went over and started chatting, explained my recent prediciment and that me and my buddy were trying to get to Washington but didn’t have a clue how?? He was more than happy to take us to WA. A drive that took 3 days, stopped at Crater Lake OR, did some hiking by the lake, the next day stayed at Smith Rocks OR (he was a climber). He showed us a scrambling route to the top of the rocks which we climbed and reached the top in time for the most awsome sunset I’ve ever seen. He then took us to Leavenworth WA where we stayed at another camprgound with him and his friends entire family. When the guy left to go to a wedding we were adopted by his friends and family, ended up staying with them for a few days before getting a ride to Stevens pass and the PCT. That, I can tell you, was one of the best experiences of my life. All those people were fantastic and extremlely generous, something I’ll never forget.

Ross

P.S Never had a problem hitching…except that one time I forgot you drive on the right side of the road. I was hitching the wrong way and the wrong way round.

Ross

#10

At the beginnings of the Doahs take a piece of paper and make 35 squares. In each square put symbols for potato chips, cookies, sodas, things like that. Then Yogi thru the doahs. Each time you get something, mark it off. I won in Front Royal by getting the very hard to come by Orange Chicken and General Tso’s Chicken squares. The best method is before coming near a wayside or campground to empty out most of your water bottle and throw a feww twigs in just in case you don’t already have a few. Then ask a picnicing family if they don’t mind you sitting under a tree very close to them. If it is warm your pathetic gaze and smell will waft over. Then very carefully and noticeably open a packet of ramen noodles and pathetically chop on them raw. Within minutes the family will be passing over their fried chicken and picinic baskets. Your price for this, tell a little entertaining trail story…

Aswah

p.s. it’s all in good fun… don’t be annoying

Aswah the Yogi

#11

Hey Yo Zero…or they could find a cute female hiker and let her stand on the road and thumb while crouching in the trees…nah that is impossible wouldnt work! CMF :slight_smile:

yo-yo

#12

Hitching is legal in Virginia as long as you don’t do it on an interstate or major highway. I got this from a state trooper while I was thru-hiking. I recommend you check the state laws.

Darth Pacman Mega '99

Darth Pacman

#13

The art of yogi-ing is tricky.

The point is to have something offered to you without really asking, so you don’t actually beg. For example, if you are at Roan, Clingman’s Dome, Greylock, Mt. Washington, and tourists start talking to you, be subtle. Talk about how you can’t wait until your next town so you can have some real food. Or if nobody talks to you, pull out your pathetic can of sardines for lunch. You could also joke around with people and say, “hey, you wouldn’t happen to have any ice cream (porterhouse steak, popcicles, lasagna, or anything else that would be ridiculous for them to have while visiting by car),” and they’ll usually joke with you a bit, and then pull out a candy bar or soda.

You have to really fine-tune it to your own level of comfort. Of course, you eventually have no shame after a while - - I mean really, what is the difference in bumming a ride into town and bumming a few snickers bars off a stranger?

As far as hitching, most states have laws against hitching on interstates. I heard tales about people getting ticketed for hitching in NY, but I never personally had a problem. Actually, I can’t really recall HAVING to do a lot of hitching there. Re-supply in Vernon, NJ for 2-3 days, send a mail-drop to the Bear Mountain, NY PO (bump one ahead from Vernon) for 3 days, stop for dinner at the Greymoor Friary, and then continue on through NY. Honestly, the only really interesting thing to check out in this part of NY would be the City, if you actually want to do that, and you can just catch a ride at the Appalachian Station, just before Crossing into CT.

nobody

#14

i know someone who got yelled at by a cop for hitchiing in new york, and the cop seemed inclined to stand around and guard them to make sure they didnt hitch. I think somehow some trail angel they’d previously met happened to be driving by and gave them a lift.

mindlessmariachi