Nice Spots off the A.T

imported
#1

Hey folks,
I was wondering if anyone had any good spots off the trail that they would recommend. We focus so much on the A.T. that we miss some great spots in the Appalachian Mountains. I have two spots that are worth mentioning.
The Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia is amazing. It is an almost treeless plateau in Northeastern West Virginia that resembles the Grayson Highlands. Windswept pines and aspens dot the landscape. The trails are not too well maintained, but there are great oppurtunities to just walk through the grasslands.
I also recommend Old Rag Mountain. It is in the central section of Shenandoah, though you cannot access the trailhead from Skyline Drive. The top of the mountain is covered in rock. There are some odd formations, like natural staircases. Reminds me of scrambling up some mountains in the Whites.
I would love to hear about some places I have been missing.
Namaste,
Bankrobber

Bankrobber

#2

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. To camp here all you need is a back country permit. You can pretty much sleep and camp wherever you want. The park is on the TN/KY border. I just hiked up there Saturday. Loved it, the bluffs and river is great. If anyone goes up there I recommend the Honey Creek Look Trail, it is considered strenous, but it is also challenging. It’s a cool place with natural arches and lots of history. I recommend it to anyone.

Lizz

#3

The Huntington Ravine trail to the top of Mount Washington is awesome. The trail is very difficult and involves mostly rock scrambling and one near vertical rock face. It is just a very fun trail to hike.

Demon Deac

#4

One of my favorite hikes in NH is over “The Bonds”, West Bond, Bond and Bondcliff. Its a long, 20+ day hike from Lincoln Woods Trailhead (four miles west of the town of Lincoln on the Kancamagus Highway) up an old RR grade and then over the mountains and back to Lincoln Woods. Its best done as a backpacking trip with a night at the Guyot Shelter, 0.8 mile from the A.T. between South Twin and Zealand Hut. The second day can include a hike to the Twins or Galehead and Garfield or Zeacliff and Zealand Hut or another hike over The Bonds. All these routes have great above treeline sections and peaks with 360 degree views. My favorite is Bondcliff with its sharp precipice facing Bond and West Bond and the woody expanse of the Pemi Wilderness. Its hard to find any evidence of man in this classic mountain view.

I’d also put a strong second in for The Huntington Ravine Trail.

Celt

#5

Here’s another vote for the Bonds, but I think the trailhead is east (not west) of the town of Lincoln on the Kanc.

hikin’ mike

#6

you are correct hikin’ mike, Lincoln Woods is east of Lincoln. Jeez, and I live here too.

celt