What direction North or South?

imported
#1

I plan to hike the Long Trail this year, probably in September. What are people’s thoughts on northbound versus southbound?

DebW

#2

We went N to S and loved it. We did’nt see many folks as we went in Oct. The first 100 miles are TUFF though… It gave us all we wanted. Very beautiful too… have fun.

yappy

#3

Both directions are spectacular and in Sept you won’t see too many people on the trail hiking in either direction. The only reason I would say to hike S to N is that all of the best swimming holes are in the southern 125 miles or so. In the beginning of Sept, it may still be warm enough to really enjoy them. Places like Clarendon Gorge and Stratton Pond are a must stop and stay for a swim. I spent 2 days at each and still didn’t get enough. Clarendon has rock diving into 10 foot deep holes (plus the Whistlestop’s gigantic ice cream cones down the street)and Stratton has wading in crystal clear water with hundreds of red spotted newts swimming right up to you. Don’t really remember anything like it in the northern section except for a few large creeks to sit in. Which ever way you hike, you’ll have a blast though! Good luck.

quasimodo

#4

Quasimodo suggestion about hiking the LT as a NOBO is true. Many nice places to swim.Upper Goose Pond, in Mass. is a great place for a swim.
Don’t count on Clarendon Gorge to swim in. It’s not on the LT.

Bob Fowler

#5

Bob, Clarendon Gorge IS on the Long Trail (it crosses it on a suspension bridge before reaching VT route 103) Upper Goose Pond is NOT on the Long Trail, it is on the AT in Mass (as you stated) and most LT end to enders would not pass it.

celt

#6

My conclusion is to go south. Reason being if I take thirty days, then once I finish the LT, I can continue south on the AT until my time is up.

I’m thinking of doing this as a shake down hike before I commence planning an AT thru hike.

I plan to leave September 5th and finish NLT October 2nd.

Just realized I’m only 13 months behind on this post LOL

“Tu” :cheers

Tu