Long Trail time

imported
#1

I am thinking of hiking the Long Trail this year. I’d like to reassure my better half that it won’t take me to long. How long, on average, might it take to complete the trail? And, what’s the best time to do it?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Cheers

#2

Most people seem to do it in about 24 days. You can do it faster if need be. Did it in 18 days with a heavier pack and not being in the shape I am now.

The peak time to do the LT is from early-mid June to early-mid October.

In early to mid june, you may have more black flies and mud. In early-mid Octobert there is alawys the chance of snow.

I’ve done it twice myself. If I do it again, would love to hike it in mid-September and catch some beautiful fall colors. I love the cool, crisp weather of Fall so that is my own bias.

Pics of my two LT hikes (1997 and 1999)
http://gallery.backcountry.net/magslt

Mags

#3

I started the LT the first week of June last yr and the nights were still very cold, the bugs a nusance and the trail virtually people-free.

I’ll be back to finish Sherburne Pass-Canada, probably in late august-Maybe i’ll see ya out there Cheers

A-Train

#4

My husband and I started the LT the last week of May. It was pretty cold at night, but got better as the time passed. It took us 28 days, but we could have moved faster if we had been in shape before we had started.

Good Luck!

Honey Bee

#5

Awsome pics Mags, thanks for that link.

I’m guessing on doing it in june/july. 28 days sounds great, I’m looking forward to getting out there!

Cheers

Cheers

#6

Cheers you are going to have a blast !!! Nice trail. Lighting and I hiked it in 2003. We took 24 days and that worked O/K for us. The 1st 100 miles is very mello you can move along. The next 174 miles is a little harder but the views are much better. We stayed in shelters all 23 nights. Water for us was not a problem at all. Food pick ups were O/K we did have 7 days with us once. Getting a ride into towns were easy. We started the 28th of July. NO BUGS at all. A few warm days. Got to walk with a few AT hikers. Hike your Hike and enjoy !!!

Brother Buzz

Brother Buzz

#7

I hiked in 2003, left in last week of June. I started in the middle of a heatwave. It was 95 degrees as I hiked up Pine Cobble Trail. Three weeks later it was below forty almost everynight. It took me 28 days with one minus one mile day. I was at Battel shelter and it rained all night. I went back down to linclon gap and into waitsfield. The next day was clear and sunny so I got to see all the great views between lincoln and app gap. I Loved it so much, Im taking my girlfriend this year, were leaving June 17th. Hope to see you out there.

Chef

#8

I’ve been doing as a LT section hike in one week increments with my son’s scout troop. The last couple of summers we did the second week of July and the weather was certainly warm enough and practically bug free. Last summer it rained six of the eight days on the trail.

This summer because of other events, we have to go either the last week of June or the first week of July. We’re concerned about black flies still being around then. I’ve hiked the Whites in late June and found an abundance of black flies. Anyone have any experience in the last week of June?

Oh, yeah, this year we’re doing App Gap to Lamoille River/Rt 15 (and we can’t wait to get out there!)

digit

#9

I have done the LT three times and been on numerous section hikes during all months. The bug situation can vary year to year. I have been out in late May with no problems in one year and then a year later in July the black flies were out in force. Some years the deer flies can really be bad. There is no way to really predict, so bring DEET and and a headnet to be safe.

OJ