Trail Legs - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

I am sure this has been asked many times before, but I will ask again. For a thru hiker, at what point either location, or in mile distance, did you feel that you began to get your trail legs. I ask this because as a section hiker, year in and year out, going a week at a time I never get to experience that luxury. I train before hand, both indoors and outdoors, however there are no mountains in my area that would make for good training. I know I will probably never get to experience the luxury of trail legs but wanted to get an understanding of how long it took for most people.

Thanks,
Soccer

Soccer

#2

It usually takes me four to five weeks to get my trail legs. Most people get them much earlier then that I am told. It also takes me about that long to get my trail appetite. The first couple of weeks I have to force myself to eat enough. I think the two might be related.

Big B

#3

I was told before my 2009 AT thru-hike by Buttercup that north bounders don’t get their trail legs until Damascus. She was right! So about 400 miles.

NedtheFed

Ned

#4

one week

cowpatty

#5

I work out at the gym every other day all year long. The month before my hike, I start wearing my pack while I do the elliptical trainer and treadmill. Also, a month before my hike I start walking barefoot on my gravel driveway every other day (builds callouses and “pre-bruises”).

End result, trail legs and feet one week down the trail.

bowlegs

#6

In 2005 I was 65 yrs old. On my 11th day I did a 16 mile day into Franklin. Thats when I knew I had my trail legs.

swamp fox

#7

In 2005 I was 65 yrs old. On my 11th day I did a 16 mile day into Franklin. Thats when I knew I had my trail legs.

swamp fox

#8

Amazon Prime Shipping with One-Click shipping from Amicalola Falls parking lot (cell reception permitting). You will have your trail legs in only 2 days and can pick them up at Neel’s Gap, rather than waiting the usual 4-6 weeks for delivery as seen on tv. This item is currently on backorder, unfortunately. End of season clearance sale completely wiped out inventory.

TR

#9

Hey TR, have you seen the new cuben fiber trail legs with titanium stays? of course they are so new that they are not available on Amazon Prime. The price tag at $2,995.00 is decent but I absolutely refuse to pay $4.95 S&H.

Soccer, I wil conform to the general consensus that you get your trail legs by Damascus, which is about 30 days and about 400 miles. Small beneficial note: once you get your trail legs it is very hard to loose them. If you ever go hiking again, let’s say on the PCT/JMT/CT/CDT for a month, it only takes you a few days to a week to get those trail legs back.

hellkat

#10

You’all just don’t get this topic. Trail legs is not just doing 15 miles after several weeks on the trail. Trail legs is well I just did 15 mile for today, but I can do 15 more without any problems. That’s when trail legs kick in. I remember walking past the ponies in Grayson Highlands and said to myself Buttercup was right I can walk 20 miles today. Like Hellkat said about 30 days or 400 miles.

Ned

#11

Pretty sure that’s what everyone meant, Ned. Of course as thru-hikers they are putting in consistent daily mileage, upping the numbers as they go given improved conditioning and recovery. “Trail legs” is simply when you reach your target DM without any major complaints. It’s really a figure of speech that implies full physical and mental adaptation to the routine of long-distance hiking.

TR

#12

Trail Legs for me is keeping a steady 2.5 mile pace on a long uphill climb and reaching the top and continuing at the same pace and not noticing when my breathing has returned to normal.

I started the Appalachian Trail in very good condition at my ideal body weight. It took four days to adjust to my twenty-five pound pack. By the North Carolina/Georgia border (about 75 miles) I had my Trail Legs.

On the Pacific Crest Trail I started in good condition, but ten pounds over my ideal weight. I didn’t have my Trail Legs until I reached Ziggy and Bear’s (about 211 miles and 13 days).

I think your conditioning, body weight, and pack weight, determine how quickly you get your Trail Legs.

Wingo

#13

took me about 6 months:lol

Virginian

#14

I have completed the AT three times the first was a flip-flop in 96 I didn’t start feeling my trail legs until I left Pearisburg VA, then I did two NOBO’s one in 06 the other in 2012 on both my NOBO’s I started feeling my trail legs between Hot Springs and Erwin in 06 I did my first 25 mile day the morning I left Uncle Johnnies Hostel and in 2012 my first BIG mile day was from Jerry Cabin shelter to Ice water spring, and I have seen people do 20 miles right from Springer MT on their first day, yeah it takes different times for different people, it all depends on your Physical conditioning when you start.

RED-DOG