A thru-hike is not feasible right now, but 6-7 weeks might be possible. If you had that amount of time, anytime from March to October, which part of the trail would you hike, and in what season?
I was thinking Springer to Damascus, starting around April 15, would be doable and ideal in terms of weather(not too hot, not too cold). Thoughts?
Scampy
There were not many sections on the trail I didn’t like. That is a good hike and you get a lot of spring. There will still be a lot of hikers on the trail starting their thru hike. That has the most elevation changes you will have on the AT. You have some similar section in the Whites and in Maine but from GA to VA it doesn’t stop. It seems like 3,000 up 3,000 down a couple of times a day. The Smokies is not bad once you get up Shuckstack out of Fontana. The section coming into Damascus (the TN Turnpike) is one of the flatest sections on the Trail in the South. It is a great day any day you are on the trail. Have a good hike.
Papa Smurf
you should definitely be able to get to damascus in seven weeks; i hiked with section hikers doing that same section in seven weeks. that said, i love the grayson highlands…
hephzibah
I’m with you Hephzibah. I love the Highlands. So much so, we hiked it last year near the end of June when the Rhododendron were blooming and we are going back again this year. When we thru hiked that area it was very cold and we blew throught from Damascus to the other side of Troutdale in two days. We really enjoyed that section last year. We took the time to summit Mt. Rogers and play in the creek just past the Wise Shelter. Sit in the cold water at the small falls just before the road that leads to Troutdale! Beautiful area.
Scampy, if you are coming thru to Damascus in May you may get there for Trail Days and could even take a few days off to help Mr. Bob P. at Kencora do some trail maintenance.
Have a good hike.
Papa Smurf
How about the Colorado Trail? 6-7 weeks would be about right, I think. The AT isn’t the only thing out there, ya know.
Cap’n
We took the time to summit Mt. Rogers and play in the creek just past the Wise Shelter. Sit in the cold water at the small falls just before the road that leads to Troutdale! Beautiful area.
wow…does that bring back some memories…must go back.
Doc Holiday
Definitely Erwin, TN to Damascus was one of my favourites. The Roan Highlands are an awesome hike. Plus if you wind up with extra hiking time, the Grayson Highlands past Damascus are also great. Rolling hills and grassy balds and views in every direction, that stretch was one of my two favourites on the Trail.
I’ve heard the Smokies are awesome to hike in the summer, but I’ve also heard that there are so many tourists then that you’re hiking heel-to-heel the whole time. Anyone hiked the Smokies in summer?
0101
Stay off the AT in summer. With a few exceptions like Mt. Sterling, Le Conte, and Cades Cove the other 700+ miles you’ll have to yourself.
Cap’n