Bear Mountain -> Maine

[jmitch]

Some friends and I are planning a two-month AT section hiking trip next summer. We want to kinda get away from the South since we have lived there all our lives. Are current plans are to fly into New York City and begin our trek in Bear Mountain, NY. Is it feasible to make it all the way to the end of the trail in Maine in about 9 weeks or so? If not, how long would it take? Or, is there a better area for our trek that you would recommend? We need to have airport service near by. Thank for the help. I look forward to your replies.


Mitch
jmitch50@charter.net

[Papa Bear]

Well let's see. I figure you have

NY - 52 miles
CT/MA -142 miles
VT/NH - 310 miles
ME 281 miles.

Total = 785 miles

If you are just starting for the season (not yet hiker fit) I would guestimate 15/miles per day, 6 days per week till you get to the Whites. Then 10 miles/day untill you get through western Maine.

What does that come to?
(very rough calculations):

400 miles @ 15 mpd = ~ 27 days
= 5 weeks (rounding up)

200 miles @ 10 mpd = 20 days = 3 1/2
weeks

185 miles @ 15 mpd = ~ 13 days = 2 1/2 weeks

= 10 1/2 weeks

You could do it in 9 weeks if you don't take any days off.

But why rush things. Plan on more, not less time. Lot's of great things to see along this region.

Have fun.
Pb

[chris]

I've only hiked about 30 miles in the Whites, and they are tough. In 61 days, you would have to average a little less than 13 miles per day. If you are reasonably fit when you begin, go relatively light, and don't spend alot of time in towns, you should be able to complete your hike and enjoy your time out there. I think what you are proposing to do is perfectly reasonable. If you don't get to Baxter, then it doesn't happen and you can hop off in a variety of places.

If you are looking to start later on in the summer, you could begin at Katahdin and work your way south. Of course, then you hit the hardest part of the trail first and you have to deal with transit to Baxter.

[Peaks]

Bottom line, it's possible to do it in 9 weeks if you severly limit your time in towns and don't take days off. A better plan would be to allow 10 weeks.

[prozac]

You could start your trip in either Wingdale, Ny or Pawling, Ny. Both are about 50 m north of Bear Mtn. and have train service from NYC. Metro-North RR runs from Grand Central Station to both locations quite reguarly. For that matter, they also have a stop right on the AT. Either way, would buy you 3 or 4 extra days.

[Grimace]

I'd recommend hiking South from Katahdin. You should be able to start there in early June. You will have to deal with pretty bad bugs in Maine, but you'd probably deal with the same anywhere in June. By hiking South you'll have the companionship of other SOBO's, the awesome beauty of the Maine and the Whites which you may not be able to see all of if you head North, and the ability to jump off the trail wherever you are once you hit MA, CT, or NY. You should be able to get yourself to NYC from any of the towns in MA, CT, or NY by bus or train. I think it will be harder to get to Bangor rom places like ANdover, Stratton, or Rangely Maine. I hiked SOBO, but am having trouble remembering how far we got in 2 months. It took us a month exactly to get through Maine. Another week in the Whites which won't slow you down any if you have already done Maine, and then you'll cruise through the rest. I think we made it to Kent CT (NY border) or a little further in two months.

[Papa Bear]

I would respectfully disagree with Grimace.

June is unbearable in Maine, from the perspective of bugs and possible river crossings.

NOBO for this section makes sense from a fitness standpoint (building up as the terrain gets tougher), and emotional standpoint (trail gets more dramatic as you go with the most dramatic place saved for the end).

I can't imagine spending 9 or 10 weeks to struggle to get to ... Fort Montgomery NY??

If you are worried about fitting it in to your vacation time, start further north as has been suggested. Trains go to Pauling NY, busses go to Kent CT and points further up along Route 7. You can get to most major towns by bus all the way up to Hanover from NYC. I have bussed to or from Kent, Williamstown, Manchester VT, and Rutland VT (free shuttle to/from Maine junction).

Just my opinion.

Pb