I was wondering if there’s a lot of poisen ivy on the trail/is it avoidable?. I am very allergic and was hoping to be able hike in shorts.
Thanks
alphabet
Long Trail and Poisen Ivy
system
#2
I get attacked by Poison Oak on the PCT. I don’t know what’s on the Long Trail, but I’d recommend carrying Zanfel anytime you hike. It’s expensive – like $40 for a one-ounce tube. But it’s great. Put it on the affected area of skin, and it STOPS the Poison Oak/Ivy from spreading. It’s sold over-the-counter. Just ask at any Pharmacy. The last tube I bought was white with blue writing.
yogi
yogi
system
#4
Generally speaking, not much poison ivy in the mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, as well as the Adirondacks.
However, in more moderate areas, like Eastern Mass, poison ivy is very prolific.
Peaks
system
#5
Alphabet:
I also am very allergic to Poison Ivy,but when I through hiked the Long Trail a few years ago I had no problems.Also I have day hike the trail wearing shorts,again no problem.
Thats not to say that it dosn’t exist but I have never heard anyone complain about it.
The biggest annoyance on the L.T. is Black Flies,they are most abundant in early summer but fade by early July
Enjoy the trail,its a great hike,especially in the early Fall.
old&in the way
system
#6
I dont recall any poison ivy on AT/LT. I am semi-allergic, and got it in N.C. If you stay “on trail” you’re fine…you should use caution bushwacking or camping off trail.
JimboTrek
system
#8
I got a terrible case a few months ago in southern california. Thought I would die and can’t imagine hiking with it. To the PCTers, is it normal to come down with it while hiking? Especially since you don’t necessarily wash with soap and water every day…
She-ra
system
#9
I have a friend who got it in the first couple days. SoCal was not pleasant for him. I got some near Cajon Pass, just before Onyx, and several times in Northern California. Sections N and O are crawling with poison oak!!
yogi
yogi
system
#10
Be sure to chant the mantra Leavlets three Let it Be. But don’t get Brother John Lennon’s song be confused,it was just “Let it Be”. Poison Ivy is a wicked beast and its pollen alone coming into contact with a sweaty body is enough to summons an attack. Particualarly brutal is contact that is made in an emergency offtrail excursion for biological relief. Another reason to use TP rather than trust plant identification on implusive ingenuity. Poison oak and ivy is prevalent in areas that are regrowth pioneer communities(like the season after a fire) as well as areas exposed due to excessive tree downfall. If you are really allergic to it, carry some prednisone with you to help prevent it becoming systemic(spreading w/o provacation) Also,wash your hands with Handiwipes to help keep the oils from invading sensitive areas. No need to generate undue worries,if you stay on the trail and watch where you camp, you probably won’t be effected. If you are sensitive to it,then take prudent precautions. One last note, if hiking the pCT, and purist ambitions persists over the cool temptations of hiking Eagle Creek Trail down to Cascade Locks, below 3000ft on the “official PCT” it is in abundance. Happy trails, 2 Spirits
mike
system
#12
Not a problem on the trail itself, but when heading down roads to towns be watchful. Two places I recall seeing it was on Rte 2 (Jonesville) and Rte 4 (Killington). The nettles will be more of an issue in a few sections of the LT, but not enough of a problem to force one to wear long pants on a regular basis.
OJ
system
#14
I think Poison Ivy is still section hiking the AT and will not be doing the LT for a few years.
sorry, bad joke. haven’t seen a computer for a long time and just got to blurt out something.
frozenstiff