When to start?

imported
#1

The U.S embassy need to know when I’ll be traveling. I’ve heard that starting in early march is’nt neccessary or particularly pleasent. Being a Englishman I’m very used to rain and dodgy weather conditions, however, I’d like to start when the weather may be easing up a bit and most would be thru-hikers have started. Not sure how late I should leave it though?? Is early to mid April alright?? Would starting that late mean I may catch bad weather on the northern section of the trail?? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks. Ross

Ross - London,England

#2

Peak times for starting a NOBO thru hike is April 1 to April 15. The average thru-hike is 5 1/2 to 6 months long. Baxter State Park closes for camping on October 15. Katahdin will still be open after that for day hiking, provided it is safe and not icy. Once cold weather comes, the trail is closed except for ice climbing parties.

If you start much before mid March, expect a snow storm every week to dump on you. It will require post holing until it melts.

You can start as late as the end of April and still have adequate time to do a thru-hike. However, it will also mean that you will need to set some goals for getting places and not take too many days off. I’d say that you need to be in Damascus not later than Memorial Day, be in Harpers Ferry not later that July 4, and be in Hanover not later than Labor Day.

Peaks

#3

Since you’re a Beyond Backpacking devotee, your hike will probably be quicker than most-- say 4-5 months. You could do May, June, July, August, and part of September. That said, there’s something cool about starting earlier and seeing the whole spectrum of seasons on the trail-- winter, first greenery, first flowers, newborn fawns, the summer heat, the changing leaves, and then cold again.

Eric

#4

It sounds like early to mid april may be best for you, and you could likely finish by mid to late September.

If you want to go with most of the “pack” any time in April should be good. There will probably be a LOT of people starting then. Leaving in May or early March means less people. People who move fast can leave pretty late. See the journal of Ken and Marcia from 2003 for an example of relatively fast, late start hikers. They had already completed 2 long distance hikes though, so keep that in mind.

My husband and I started March 4th 2002. We had some cold days (8 degrees F. was the coldest) but absolutely no snow. I guess it was a mild year. Plenty of other hikers started in March for us to socialize with, and we had 90 degree weather our last week in Maine, (mid August) which meant awesome swimming opportunities. However, because we left when we did, a few hostels were not yet open for the season when we got to them. And of course we missed the beautiful New England fall colors by finishing early. It took us about 5 1/2 months and we never felt rushed or too slow, but everyone is different. Bottom line is, you can have an awesome time no matter when you start. Read some trailjournals for some weather experiences, and call or email some hostels (Miss Janets, Blueberry Patch, the Hike Inn come to mind). The hostel owners are full of stories and advise about the weather, as they are the ones who’ve been the “shelters from the storms” in years past.

Jitterbug

#5

Ross, we started on my wife’s birthday of Feb 18th in '01. Mostly to avoid the crowds and that date. We found it way cold and snowy but fun. Also gave us a +900 mile start on the mob so we had many shelters to ourselves with our small crew of ten hikers and plenty of warm weather which we enjoyed after we slowed down from doing twenty mile days. Super swimming up north, avoided the heat of summer, missed the black flies in New England by a week…perfect perfect hike. 5 1/2 months total with about twenty zero days.

Bushwhack

#6

“Would starting that late mean I may catch bad weather on the northern section of the trail??”

Worry about that later, mate. By the time you hit Vermont you’ll know about what date you’ll finish. If you can get to Katahdin by October 1st - no winter weather worries. If you project out a date of October 21st or so, flip up to Maine from Vermont and head south.

TJ aka Teej

#7

“Would starting that late mean I may catch bad weather on the northern section of the trail??”

Worry about that later, mate. By the time you hit Vermont you’ll know about what date you’ll finish. If you can get to Katahdin by October 1st - no winter weather worries. If you project out a date of October 21st or so, flip up to Maine from Vermont and head south.

TJ aka Teej

#8

I started March 17 and summited Sept26. The time I took was part of the luxury. No time lines. Last year I remember an English guy " Smudge" he moved really fast and I heard that his visa ran out and he had to go back to the U.K. to renew it. He had tried to go into Canada but they said that wasnt good enough. I say this so that you wont have the same problems. Maybe you should just come in through Mexico, that seems to work these days.

Virginian

#9

That was my time line. I started 4/18, finished 10/13. If I were to do it again, make that, WHEN I do this again :slight_smile:
I would start no earlier than April 1st. Walk into Trail Days, Harper’s Ferry by the Fourth of July - go to DC, finish in the fall in New England. You really need to be up here in late late Sept, more like October to see foliage. I loved the time of year I did my hike, check out my journal if you’re looking for a time line. I had some early family time off, hit Harper’s Ferry 7/19, which is pushing it, but still only did 6 20s the whole trip. Remember, it’s not a race.

Bluebearee

#10

I started at Springer on 23rd March, and looking back I think it was a good time to start out. I only hit snow for a few days in the Smokeys which wasn’t a problem.

Downunda

#11

i had never been on a hike before and i started on may seventh and i finished on october fourth. you can start whenever you want. i had to plan it with graduation so i didnt have much choice. by starting late you will pass a lot of the slower people. i took several zero days and planning was never a big deal. the worst weather i had was in NJ, NY. it was hotter than the sahara. good luck.

Wise Owl

#12

Mid April is good. I started on April 12th. I never had to deal with what others call crowds. Never saw them except just before Demaskas for Trail Days and just after. I seldom found shelters totaly full except in the Smokeys. I am a slow hiker. My average was 11.6 miles per day. I took 21 “O” days and finished on Oct 12th.

Grampie