Mid-Atlantic trip in late July: any ideas?

[jethro]

It looks like I may have time off for a trip of up to 5 nights, from July 26 to 31, so I'm looking for ideas. Because my time is limited, I'd like to stay within a few hours of home (the Philly suburbs) to minimize travel time. Avoiding crazy rocks is key as well, as I'm rehabbing a sprained ankle. That means the Pennsylvania AT is out.

My first thought is the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/Forestry/hiking/laurel.aspx). It's a 70-mile linear hike about 4 hours from home. That should suit my hiking pace well. For those who are familiar with this trail, a few questions: Are the shelters sufficient that I can travel without a tarp or other shelter? (That and the summer weather could result in a truly lightweight experience.) What type of shuttle arrangements are available? If I find I'm hiking faster than anticipated, can I shift my permit from one shelter to another?

Any other trip suggestions within a similar distance? That would include most of Pennsylvania (except NW), Catskills, Maryland, the northern half of Virginia, and maybe even Dolly Sods.

Thanks for your help!

[ki0eh]

The north end of Mid State Trail (http://www.hike-mst.org) (north of, say, Woolrich) is out of the crazy rocks, and rarely hiked, but there are no shelters and the extreme part of the north end (north of US 6) is camping only in pay-to-stay campgrounds.

[Cookerhiker]

Re the Laurel Highlands Trail, you'll have no problems with shelters - the State requires you to make reservations at them for each night and pay a fee. Here's the link (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateParks/parks/laurelridge.aspx).

Anytime is a good time to hike the LHT. While a July hike will miss the blooming laurel & rhododendron and the fall colors, you'll have a relatively cool hike - certainly cooler temps than the AT in PA. And unlike the AT, you won't have the rockfields. It's actually an easy hike. I hiked it in 5 days in March 2008 (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=7356) and found myself doing 3 mph on many stretches.

When you finish the LHT, you can enjoy either whitewater or flatwater paddling on the Youghiogheny River from Ohiopyle State Park or cycle portions of the Great Allegheny Passage (http://www.atatrail.org) - bikes can be rented in Ohiopyle.

[thorny]

HI
Have you considered the Massanutton trail.
It is a 70 mile loop on Massanutton Mt. in the Shenandoah Valley.
You could begin (and end) near Front Royal, Va.
Thorny

[Spirit Walker]

North central PA has some terrific backpacking areas. You can get the maps for several from the state forest offices. My favorite hike is the Donut Hole (about 110 miles), but if you are still recuperating, you might consider the Black Forest (45 miles) or Chuck Keiper (45), Susquehannock (60) or Quehanna (80). All but the Donut Hole are loops. Susquehannock is the easiest, but most boring. Black Forest is probably the most interesting, but the most crowded. All of them have places where you can shorten your hike if you need to.

[Chenango]

I just hiked the West Rim Trail of the Gran Canyon of PA. It was fairly easy hiking. 30 miles. Started around 11:00 AM on a Saturday and finished at 10:30 AM on Monday. Beautiful views of the canyon. I loved watching the eagles flying about.

[jethro]

Thanks, all! I've decided on the LHHT, 5 nights, north to south. I'll do a TR when I get back!