Section this Summer

imported
#1

So I’m trying to figure out where i’m going to hike this summer.

I was thinking about doing the Long Trail again because the logistics would be a piece of cake having just hiked it this past summer, and i would take an extra week to really enjoy it this time (4 weeks instead of 3).

But now i’m not so sure i want to do that, so i’m looking at sections on the AT and thinking about hiking from Washington to Katahdin.

There’s, what, 280 or so miles of AT in Maine, right?

Anybody know how many miles (approx.) from Washington to the NH/ME border?

I think this would be a cool section, but i need to look at the miles because i want to be able to relax a bit and i know there’s some tough trail in there (which is good, but i would like to bring the dog along for as much as possible and don’t want to force him into big mile days).

I don’t have a guide book yet, and was just wondering if someone could give me a ballpark figure on the milage.

Also, a friend of mine lives in NC and i’m kicking around the idea of driving down there (from MA) to hike, but am totally unfamilliar with the trail down there… any suggestions for start/end points to make a good month-sized section in that region?

JD

#2

maybe start at abol bridge and give sobo hiking a try?

it would be easier to get picked up in or a ride from somewhere in the presidentials and I could always keep going and hike to Maine junction, so i’d have hiked all of the AT in NH, VT, and ME (maybe save Katahdin for my thruhike because the dog can’t go up anyways…)

how many miles is that (Abol Bridge to Maine Junction)?

I don’t really have anything to do over the summer, I could find time.

Maybe i should go buy the handbook…

JD

#3

The Whites are a national park. you should check, but I really don’t think your dog is allowed up there.

I’m just going off memory and not a book, but I don’t remember it’s all that many more miles from the end of the Whites to the Maine border. I do remember that section was very cool, though. Very tough but really beautiful.

284 miles in Maine, also very beautiful, a great deep-woods feel the whole way through.

But if you do hit North Carolina instead, I consider it to be the second most beautiful stretch on the AT after the Whites. The best stretch is north from Erwin, TN (Roan Highlands) to Mt. Rogers (Grayson Highlands), ending in Pearisburg, VA. They’ve got spectacular views and some really nice rolling, grassy balds. I’m not sure on the mileage off the top of my head, but I think four weeks might cover it. Plus Erwin (specifically Miss Janet’s), Hot Springs and Damascus are some of the most popular towns along the Trail.

0101

#4

I’ve hiked Washington with my dog before and i’ve been to the whites a lot (i live in north-east MA). I don’t think i’ve ever heard that dogs aren’t allowed in the whites, they just have to be leashed (above treeline anyways), but i’ll check, thanks.

i’m really thinking about Maine now… the 100 mile wilderness kicked my butt (well, my knees, actually) a few years ago and i hitched out @ jo-mary road. I’d like to go back and do it over again.

we’ll see. its still 6 1/2 months away, i’m just getting way ahead of myself because its winter.

JD

#5

I can’t remember the exact mileage, but I believe it’s in the 50 mile ballpark. The whites are a national forest, BTW, not a park, so no problems bringing your dog.
I personally found the section you’re talking about the most challenging, and the most beautiful, on the whole AT. i’d personally recommend it.
Whatever you choose- Keep on hikin’!
Remy. :cheers

Remy

#6

ooooh! you’re gonna have so much fun!..well, of course, the whites and maine were my (and paw-ee’s) favorite place on the AT i think, but boy!is it ever tough! (just read some of the “trail journals” and you’ll see)…i remember thinkin’ on both our hikes,“how in the world do people get their dogs over THIS terrain!!!”…but many pooches do! (helium’s dog “freckles” managed it this year though)…it is actually around 300 miles and 4 weeks oughta do it…(that’s what we had left to do this year when we got off the trail at the galehead hut…us old folks didn’t remember it bein’ quite so hard!)…but you’ve hiked the LT so you shouldn’t have a problem…HOWEVER (notice that’s a BIG “however”)…i agree with 0101 above…you will absolutely LOVE nc and the balds of upper northeast tn!..if you want a “delicious taste” of the AT, that’s it!..challenging (but not like the northeast)…breathtakingly beautiful!..for this year,feb. 25 thru march 25 got us from the “fontana hilton” at the beginning of the smokies all the way to mt rogers and the GORGEOUS grayson highlands(an average 14 miles per day?)… the smokies would be a great place for you to start if you’re willing to tackle the challenge right off the bat…(but dogs aren’t allowed there)… or you could start at the north end of the park at davenport gap (oooh! be sure to stay with curtis and maria at standing bear farm there!) and then head north for all of what i’ve just described…it really is some of the BEST of the AT !..i’ll “amen” what 0101 said about miss janet’s, too…you must stay there (and tell her we said hello) AND…“kincora”…don’t EVER come to tn and miss bob and pat peoples at kincora!..have fun! (we’re envious! ha ha!)

deb (maw-ee) tucker