Wilderness Areas?

imported
#1

I figured I’d post this here in the AT forum.

In your personal experience, what’s the best wilderness area in the Eastern mountains for solitude?

In the past 15 years I found myself hiking less and less on and around the AT and heading into designated wilderness areas because I enjoy the solitide and the lack of human influence on these areas. The worst I’ve seen for solitude was Shining Rock (it was packed every time I went), but the best experience I’ve had (I saw no one for three days) was the Middle Prong Wilderness just across Highway 215 from Shining Rock.

PhilOchsLives

#2

go west young man.

dude I grew up in the east and thought it was all that. heard about the wild west but thought it was talk. came here and saw it, now I’ll never go back east for more than a visit. there is more wilderness and wild places but compared to the east it’s heaven. Maine ain’t bad, but it’s only as good as some of the more tame places out here. the worst day on the PCT is as good as anything in the whites.

thaDude

#3

Some of the trails in central Pennsylvania get very little use, so they feel very remote and you are likely to see wildlife (elk, deer, bears). Try the Donut Hole, Bucktail, Susquehannock or Quehanna.

But yes, for real wilderness, try Montana or Alaska.

Ginny

#4

Good point on Middle Prong area. I live here and generally avoid Shining Rock Wilderness unless weather ain’t suited for usual visitors. Actually Smokies area is good when you get about 1 mile from any parking area. Lots of Pisgah NF good if you avoid popular places such as Bent Creek

Boquack