Newbie, looking for scenic, isolated trails with good weather near MA

[curiouslyadrift]

I'm looking to hike a much less-traveled/isolated section of the trail next week for 4-5 days, and hopefully one near Massachusetts. I was thinking of hiking part of the White Mountain area, and I also heard that the Cohos Trail is pretty and also secluded. But I definitely do NOT want to run into any snow or cold weather, so would either of these trails be the right ones to take? Or could you recommend a better area? (I'd like to be able to use a tent, and I heard that doing so isn't permitted in some sections.)

Also, where can I find out about shuttles, ranger stations, maps/permits, and maybe a good all-around guide for a newbie?

Thanks in advance.

[Jack Tarlin]

Your options are pretty much limitless.

If you're going on the AT, your best resource for maps is the Appalachian Trail Conference (www.atconf.org)

If you're heading into the Whites, your best resource is the the Appalachian Mountain Club (www.outdoors.org)

If Vermont, try www.greenmountainclub.org

For shuttles, try the master shuttle list at www.atconf.org

If you're leaving in a few days and don't have time to order maps or guidebooks, check out a good outfitter store. If you're near Boston, try EMS or REI. If you're towards the west, there are good stores in Northampton and Williamstown.

In that you seem sort of new to all this, you might want to hold off on the White Mountains for the moment, as the weather there at this time of year can be unpredictable, and you might not have the necessary equipment or experience to deal with something unusual. Alternate suggestion: Check out the AT in either Connecticut or Massacusetts which will both offer great hiking and scenery, with minimal risk, and, once the holiday weekend is over and done with, no crowds.

[curiouslyadrift]

Your options are pretty much limitless.

If you're going on the AT, your best resource for maps is the Appalachian Trail Conference (www.atconf.org (http://www.atconf.org))

If you're heading into the Whites, your best resource is the the Appalachian Mountain Club (www.outdoors.org (http://www.outdoors.org))

If Vermont, try www.greenmountainclub.org (http://www.greenmountainclub.org)

For shuttles, try the master shuttle list at www.atconf.org (http://www.atconf.org)

If you're leaving in a few days and don't have time to order maps or guidebooks, check out a good outfitter store. If you're near Boston, try EMS or REI. If you're towards the west, there are good stores in Northampton and Williamstown.

In that you seem sort of new to all this, you might want to hold off on the White Mountains for the moment, as the weather there at this time of year can be unpredictable, and you might not have the necessary equipment or experience to deal with something unusual. Alternate suggestion: Check out the AT in either Connecticut or Massacusetts which will both offer great hiking and scenery, with minimal risk, and, once the holiday weekend is over and done with, no crowds.
Thanks, Jack. I had actually heard about a route along the CT/MA border that would be a nice hike, but I was worried about how crowded it'd be.

But alternatively, what about New York? Someone had mentioned that as well, but I have no idea if it meets any of my demanding (;)) criteria.

[Frosty]

Try the Monadnock Sunapee Greenway, Almost never see people on it except on Monadnock itself. 50 miles of nicely marked solitude. No snow there this time of year, unlike Whites. Cohos goes through Whites, BTW, and further north.

If that Mass-CT trail is the Metacomet Monadnock Trail, don't worry aobut crowds. In fact no long distance trail will be crowded with the exception of one or two popular summits each trail might run through.

Try also the Mid-State Trail in Mass, About 100 miles of little used trail except at Wachusett and watatic Smmits. And then only on Saturdays/Sundays.

My thought, though, is as Jack said, you might want to avoid the Whites. It is sort of like if you don't know about them, or how to find out about them, you are unlikely to be prepared for them. An initital trip in May isn't a particularly good idea unless you have experience. Just my 2 cents.

Google any of the trails I mentioned above for info.

[Tramper Al]

" . . . trails with good weather . . . " Sign me up too.

I think all of the suggestions are reasonably sound, though I'm not sure what you mean by "crowds". And none of these trails can be considered "isolated", with the possible exception of the Cohos Trail, north of Stark maybe.

The Mass Midstate trail is not ideally set up for backpacking (5 shelters not well positioned, few legal campsites), but if you do your research, it might work for you. The Metacomet-Monadnock is similarly used mainly for day hiking, though it has two shelters and some legal campsites (again do your research). Of the three, the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway is the one that would be most reasonable to just get the map and go, because there are designated campsites at reasonable intervals. It's probably a 3 or 4 day hike for most people.

There is no long trail route along the border between CT and MA.

My best suggestion for a somewhat less peopled and readily backpacked trail would be Vermont's Long Trail, the northern 2/3 not shared by the AT. Especially if you were to start at the Canadian border and hike south for 4-5 days, I think you'd have the trail mainly to yourselves, if that's of great importance to you.

Hope that helps.