View Full Version : Best Place to Hike in Late May early June
cruiser78
02-17-2009, 23:38
Hola,
Friend of mine recommended this site. Lots of great info.
So here is my problem. I have 2 weeks in Late May/early June. I want to get on the AT during this time. Can y'all suggest an area in which i will have the best temp and environment during this period.
I was thinking Maine, but I heard of the Black flies and they sound terrible.
Appreciate all your help and suggestions.
Have a good one,
Patrick
4eyedbuzzard
02-17-2009, 23:48
Maine would be the worst of all choices in late May. Not just blackflys, but also snow still in the mountains, swollen streams, mud, etc. Probably the absolute worst month to visit Maine.
Try NY and south. I'm headed to Shenandoah in mid May.
Go wherever mountain laurel is blooming.
Spirit Walker
02-18-2009, 13:03
The laurel and other flowers are blooming in Virginia then. You could start with the Shenandoahs and continue south for another week. It's a good place to hike in May.
Jack Tarlin
02-18-2009, 13:20
I'd go from Erwin, TN to Troutdale, Virginia.
This would take you up and over Roan Mountain, over the Roan Highlands, thru the Mt. Rogers Recreation area and Grayson Highlands State Park.
You'd get to see the nicest stretch of the Trail in the South; you'd visit the prettiest shelter; you'd walk past the most scenic waterfall on the Trail; you'd see Grayson Highlands, which many folks say is their favorite part of the Trail.
And if you start in late May, the vast majority of the Northbound crowd of hikers will be ahead of you.
The Solemates
02-18-2009, 14:18
I'd go from Erwin, TN to Troutdale, Virginia.
This would take you up and over Roan Mountain, over the Roan Highlands, thru the Mt. Rogers Recreation area and Grayson Highlands State Park.
You'd get to see the nicest stretch of the Trail in the South; you'd visit the prettiest shelter; you'd walk past the most scenic waterfall on the Trail; you'd see Grayson Highlands, which many folks say is their favorite part of the Trail.
And if you start in late May, the vast majority of the Northbound crowd of hikers will be ahead of you.
my thoughts exactly. and hopefully you'll catch some rhody and laurel along the way.
I'd go from Erwin, TN to Troutdale, Virginia.
This would take you up and over Roan Mountain, over the Roan Highlands, thru the Mt. Rogers Recreation area and Grayson Highlands State Park.
You'd get to see the nicest stretch of the Trail in the South; you'd visit the prettiest shelter; you'd walk past the most scenic waterfall on the Trail; you'd see Grayson Highlands, which many folks say is their favorite part of the Trail.
And if you start in late May, the vast majority of the Northbound crowd of hikers will be ahead of you. I would second this one. Thats one nice walk in the spring.
i'll be going through PA that time of year. it's pretty here in may and june and there's still water running then
Tennessee Viking
02-18-2009, 23:14
For late May going into June. Stay away from the GA to TN & southern Virginia. It will be hot and humid.
daddytwosticks
02-19-2009, 07:39
I live in Western NC. Late May and early June are still good times to hike the southern AT, in my opinion. All sorts of blooming plants, no thru-hiking crowds, no need to carry heavier sleeping bags/warm clothing, most springs are still flowing, etc. Sometimes the temps will be warm, but nowhere as bad as July/Aug., especially at altitudes....:)
TrippinBTM
02-19-2009, 09:35
I also second the Erwin-Troutville hike, as Jack said. Though you'll be hitting a lot of thru-hiker crowd, I think. May want to go a bit further south. But for scenery, I'm not sure you can beat the aforementioned section, at least in the south. All those balds, the Grayson Highlands, and the really cool wooded summit of Unaka Mountain. Plus in general it's a very nice hike.
I'll be doing the SNP from Waynsboro thru to Harpers Ferry those two weeks, mabye see ya out there.
cruiser78
02-19-2009, 16:10
Damn, Thanks all of y'all for throwing your advice my way. I've got an hour of free time this pm ad I will get to researching.
I really, really appreciate everyone's input. I would truely be lost without it.
I'll let y'all know what i'm thinkin a little later.
Thanks again,
Patrick
Maybe I'm just a wimp, but Erwin to Troutdale seems like a bit of a stretch for a 2 week section hike.
Nicksaari
02-19-2009, 17:08
GRAYSON HIGHLANDS feed the ponies granola.
boarstone
02-19-2009, 17:52
Maine would be the worst of all choices in late May. Not just blackflys, but also snow still in the mountains, swollen streams, mud, etc. Probably the absolute worst month to visit Maine.
Try NY and south. I'm headed to Shenandoah in mid May.
Oh no...come here....the wet exposed rocks and roots will wear you down and get you in shape for the rest of the trail and the blackflies will carry off what is left of you...!!!!!:D
Kerosene
02-19-2009, 20:33
Maybe I'm just a wimp, but Erwin to Troutdale seems like a bit of a stretch for a 2 week section hike.Troutdale is about 50 miles north of Damascus, and the AT through this 175 miles is very easy. I covered this distance in less than 10 days (albeit on two section hikes).
Now, if you were talking about Troutville, just north of Daleville near Roanoke and 372 miles from Erwin, then it would be a stretch!
Lone Wolf
02-19-2009, 21:10
Hola,
Friend of mine recommended this site. Lots of great info.
So here is my problem. I have 2 weeks in Late May/early June. I want to get on the AT during this time. Can y'all suggest an area in which i will have the best temp and environment during this period.
I was thinking Maine, but I heard of the Black flies and they sound terrible.
Appreciate all your help and suggestions.
Have a good one,
Patrick
Roan Mtn. - NOBO
Troutdale is about 50 miles north of Damascus, and the AT through this 175 miles is very easy. I covered this distance in less than 10 days (albeit on two section hikes).
Very easy? Perhaps for some. It's still 12.5 miles a day with no days off (for 14 days) and the 1st three days are all up hill to Roan. Like LW says it's probably best starting at Carvers Gap.
volleypc
02-20-2009, 08:57
I would start in SW Virginia and head South towards Roan Mountain. Figure out how far you can travel and let that determine how far north you begin. I like the idea of going south because you will run into several thru hikers along the way. it is a great time of the year for flowers, birds, etc.
trailchick
05-01-2012, 10:16
Hi,
I am planning a backpacking trip for June as well. I would like to go for 2 weeks, and possible for 3 weeks if time allows. My first long trip. I have hiked Chesters Gap to Harpers Ferry and loved it. I am up for any suggestions. I am from PA. I need advice and suggestions.
Thank you
Cookerhiker
05-01-2012, 11:18
Welcome to WhiteBlaze! :welcome Hope you find lots of good info here.
With this year's early and abnormally warm Spring, I suspect the mountain laurel in PA will have already bloomed by June.
Were I hiking in June, I'd aim for higher elevations because it looks like a hot summer. June is still too early for NH or ME and you may not want to travel that far. Since Chester Gap is one of your end points, how about hiking south from there through Shenandah NP and beyond? It's 185 miles to the James River and 240 miles to Daleville, the point where the AT crosses I-81. Logistically if you can get a ride to Chester Gap, you can catch a bus or fly from Roanoke if you make it to Daleville.
bwburgin1015
05-10-2012, 12:31
Agree lemon! Mount Rogers area. Most beautiful place I've hiked so far and the Rhodedendron is usually blooming in early June.
EricS96521
05-11-2012, 04:12
I would second this one. Thats one nice walk in the spring.
Agree completely with this. I hiked a small portion of Roan Mountain and found a nice camp site near Grassy Ridge looking over the horizon. The sunset was beautiful.