I was thinking about heading southbound starting last day or two of May... maybe the first of June. Is that going to be a good time to start or do I need to start earlier or later? Let me know what you think.

I was thinking about heading southbound starting last day or two of May... maybe the first of June. Is that going to be a good time to start or do I need to start earlier or later? Let me know what you think.

Hey Warren:welcome

You've picked a pretty good time to start your SOBO. Are you planning a thru-hike or section?
Anyway, there will be at least six other WhiteBlaze members at Katahdin Stream that weekend as well, I'm sure, as others who don't do the WB thing. Why don't you PM or e-mail me to discuss your travel plans. I'm in the Boston area now and am leaving for Katahdin (about a 5 to 6 hour drive) on May 31.
As you're new here to WB, welcome and take some time with some of the articles on the left side-bar of the WB home page, excellent info for hikers attempting a thru.
Hope to hear from you.
Peace:)

Warraghiyagey
SOBO7

I was thinking about heading southbound starting last day or two of May... maybe the first of June. Is that going to be a good time to start or do I need to start earlier or later? Let me know what you think.

Blackflies......

May is mud season in Maine and June is blackfly season.
Except for that, it should be an ok time.
Ice out on the lakes is usually mid May, at least it was before Global warming, maybe it's earlier now. Mainers?
You may hit some ice in the high sections. I'd be sure to carry some pan head screws and predrill holes in my shoes first so you can get thru those icy spots safer. just my 2 cents.

last day or two of May... maybe the first of June. Is that going to be a good time to start or do I need to start earlier or later?
I wouldn't try to start any sooner than that if you're counting on the Hunt Trail being open. It's seldom officially open before Memorial Day. A few miles south from the AT trailhead is the Abol Slide Trail, usually open a week before the AT. You should be able to summit via that trail at least. Watch the snow on Katahdin melt: www.katahdincam.com

In addition to black fly season in June, the streams are also high and cold with spring run-off. And there are no bridges on the AT in Maine.

All this makes July a much better time to hike in Maine.

If someone doesn't start hiking until July, and say that person is thru-hiking southbound, then he/she may not end up in Georgia until December or Jan.! I haven't hiked in Maine before, so I don't know what the river fords are like...are they brutally tough? And are they all even crossable? I am planning on leaving the second week of June, I am aware of the flies/bug prob., but that's alright...the river crossings concern me a bit. Any advice anyone has about the Maine river fords would be deeply appreciated. Thanks so much!

With no rain there shouldn't be a problem on your stream/river crossings. Expect very rocky bottoms and spring run-off debris in them. With rain and water run-off expect the West Branch Pleasant river/Long Pond stream to be a challenge with Big Wilson Stream a serious thought-before-crossing in high water/rain. Leeman brook in high water is down right dangerous. Though narrow, it's a shallow gorge at the crossing point and is slick straight ledge down and up. Keep these in mind and don't take chances.

With no rain there shouldn't be a problem on your stream/river crossings. Expect very rocky bottoms and spring run-off debris in them. With rain and water run-off expect the West Branch Pleasant river/Long Pond stream to be a challenge with Big Wilson Stream a serious thought-before-crossing in high water/rain. Leeman brook in high water is down right dangerous. Though narrow, it's a shallow gorge at the crossing point and is slick straight ledge down and up. Keep these in mind and don't take chances.


I lucked out with my fordings, people that were one or two days ahead of me were up to their neck, and some lost gear in the water.

In addition to black fly season in June, the streams are also high and cold with spring run-off. And there are no bridges on the AT in Maine.

All this makes July a much better time to hike in Maine.


I hiked Maine in July last year, and it was still a big pile of mud, the streams were quick and the black flies were awful.. I've spent the last 4 Junes in the Maine Woods and I've lived to tell the tale.. It just makes it more interesting.. Don't be afraid of june in Maine, Its not as bad as people play it off.

I hiked Maine in July last year, and it was still a big pile of mud, the streams were quick and the black flies were awful.. I've spent the last 4 Junes in the Maine Woods and I've lived to tell the tale.. It just makes it more interesting.. Don't be afraid of june in Maine, Its not as bad as people play it off.

Right, it's late spring/early summer come June 1. Every year is different. Who knows what this one will bring for conditions. Some wet, some dry, some in between. Keeps it interesting and challenging. And them blackflies are what help control the population in the woods, mostly all to yourself, enjoy.:D

so would you suggest a bug net for my face or any type of spray...or what???

And don't forget to try this Mainer's recipe for Blackflies (http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p200/woodsy2007/scan0001-3.jpg)if you can find it.
It kills Blackflies(after they bite) and you won't feel the bite. Found in some local beverage marts and sold by the 6-pack:D

Headnet=yes.

DEET=yes.

DEET eats plastic, so remember you don't need alot.

Afterbite pen is worth the weight. Works for fireants too! (As well as anything does.)

For mud and swimming planning:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/me/nwis/rt

OK, in all seriousness, beyond the Blackfly Stout(which is brewed in Maine), lol, this is what I've been using for decades with very good results: Bens 100, (http://www.bestglide.com/Bens100_Repellent.html) lightweight and effective used as directed.

Ok buyt how should I use Bens 100..b/c I have not used a deet product...

3M produces a product called Ultrathon that is a lower concentration of Deet mixed with some other product that keeps it from soaking into the skin. It used to be standard issue for the military and I find it in Surplus stores in a Camo package on occasion, Walmart occasionally stocks it. I have found that it lasts a lot longer than normal Deet per application and is less damaging to plastic. It is best applied when your skin is dry. The big trick with Deet is not to use too much, avoid spray bottles and apply sparingly.

I have found some value to spraying my hiking clothes with Permethrin, I think it keeps blackflies from landing and does keep ticks from hanging on. Permetherin is the active ingredient in the "bug off" clothing that some high end retailers sell. Its sold at walmart and lasts through several washes.

Note that Deet will not repel black flies, all it does is keep most of them from biting. You will have to learn to live with the swarm that inevitably hangs around. Whatever you do, either bring a bug net if you plan to stay in shelters or a tent with bug netting. I lived near the Mahoosucs on the Me NH border for years, and there have been more than few southbounders that have quit the trail in Gorham due to the bugs in Maine in the spring.

Ok buyt how should I use Bens 100..b/c I have not used a deet product...

Bens 100 is about the strongest of all the bug dopes in this area..It can be purchased with say 15-30 percent deet which means you will need to reapply more often. If I am spending time in the outback of Maine during bug season,I don't mess around with anything but the best (Bens 100, IMO) . It comes in a greasy type liguid which you apply to your hands and then spread lightly to exposed skin, behind ears, under shirt cuffs and collars , exposed belly buttons and other exposed nooks and cranies like ears.
If there is any untreated exposed skin, the mighty Blackfly will find it. :D

Learn all about the pesky critters here (http://www.mainenature.org/blackfly/blackflyinfo.html#links). Like Peakbagger suggested in his post, learn to live with the swarm buzzing about.