New hiker- first questions:

imported
#1

Hello,
Thanks Leif, for sending me over to this site-- I saw several questions in the forum I was wondering about. Anyway, Me, my wife Sarah, and at least 2 of her brothers are planning a CT trip this summer. We have a deadline of being off the trail by August 2, since school starts up, and are planning to head out around june 15th or so.

Several questions:
I understand that water availability and also snow cover depends on the amt of snow that the area gets; does anyone know how much is alot or a little (above average, below average) and where you can find such info?

I have ordered the data book, and the cd rom maps (which look like GREAT data from what I have seen)- But havent recieved them yet-I noticed that no campsites are mentioned- is it pretty much camp where ever you fall or find water, or are there designated camping areas?

What percent of the trail would you call “single track”- you know, nice single file hiking trails, compared to logging roads and four wheel drive paths?

The guide mentions that the snow is clear by the second or third week in june- Do you think our june 15 date is safe? Also, If it does snow/snow is still around, is it limited to the higher elevations, or are the drifts/snow cover more uniformly distributed. we are from kentucky and tennesse, so the worst snow camping we have done was getting caught in a snowstorm in the smokeys during spring break.

Well, thats enough for now-- Thanks for the time.
Justen

Justen

#2

If you are coming from Kentucky and Tennessee make sure you plan time to acclimate to the high altitude.

I would have to say that 90% of the hike is single track hiking. This wasn't really an issue. There are a few times that you will be on road, one area I remember and didn't like was coming into Mt. Princeton Hot springs... there was a lot of road walking in that section. When you get to there though you can soak in the springs :)

I started June 18 and didn't have any problems with the snow. I don't think this 2001/2002 was a heavy snow year either so your start date should be find. Most of the time when I hiked through snow it was across snow fields, not up the snow fields.

As far as camping goes there are no designated camping spots. The data books mentions place where you can camp but most of the time they are not camp sites. It must be the complete opposite of east coast hiking. Most of the time I would camp near water and below tree line.

Leif

#3

Hi Justin,

A fantantastic resource to assess snow and precip in and around the CT is the following site. It has more info than you’ll ever want to know. You’ll see that SWE (Snow Water Equivalent) along most of the CT is 20-50% of normal (30 year average). Expected spring rains have not fallen yet.

http://www.co.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/dailydata.htm

Best regards, Joe

Joe Heil

#4

So how does the water look along the CT for this summer? I looked at the site mentioned above and it says generally about 80% of normal. But I’m from Louisiana (always WET) and have no idea what that means as far as being able to find enough water on the trail. I’m thinking of heading out from Denver in July for a month. Comments?

steve hiker