Just finished a 20 day LT Sobo thru hike (started Sept 20.)Met a lot of neat people at the shelters and saw 2 moose. Went over Jay Peak shirtless—most of the hike was too warm for backpacking. Water was not an issue—good availability. Trail was only muddy at the southern end. Lost Pond has no shelter—only a tenting area. Leaves are late in changing color this year.
marmot
Congrats on the hike! I just finished the John Muir Trail, also in 20 days, and was considering the Long for my next hike. How was the 20 day pace in realtion to the trail condition? I’ve been told it is a very root and rock filled trail.
Thanks
weez
Congrats, way to go, we met on route 118. I finished my sectional hike nb last week end. I had the pleasure of having my family with me for a cellebration at journeys end.
251 big dog
Weez-
You asked about the condition of the trail. When I hiked the JMT, I marveled at the spectacular views that unraveled themselves at every step. Not so on the LT, it is more like hiking in a green tunnel. When I commented on the lack of views to a fellow thru-hiker, he objected and pointed out the great variety of views on the LT: roots, roots around rocks, rocks near roots, rocks and roots covered in moss, rocks and roots hidden under wet leaves, rocks and roots peaking up out of the mud, rocks and roots hidden beneath overgrown nettles… it goes on. The LT is rooty and rocky, but still well worth the trip.
I hiked both the LT and the JMT in Julys ('05 and '06), the LT has lots of rocks and roots, and the trail doesn’t switchback very much, but doesn’t have the snowpack I ran into on the JMT, or the river crossings. And while their are bugs on the LT, I’ve never seen mosquitos like those I encountered on the JMT.
Happy Hiking
Tumblina
I found the northern part of the Lt to be root and rock infested. Many times the roots traversing rocks give the hiker a foothold on slippery rocks.
Marmot
Marmot, I was about a week behind you. I started on 9/27 and finished 10/20. I think my timing for following foliage was perfect. Great color at the lower elevations, but unfortunately little sunshine to light it up. Cloudy, gray days but mostly warm weather. Water and mud everywhere. Lots of solitude - I had at least half the shelters all to myself at night.
And congratulations to you too, Slacker! I believe we met south of Devil’s Gulch.
Duct Tape