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  • Thru hike planning spreadsheet, 15 mile plan

    15 Mile hiking plan and resupply ideas
    NOBO plan @15 miles per day                        (last update 2/22/2009) www.whiteblaze.net    
          Re- Elevation Avg Tot.  
    Day Mi. Destination Comments supply gain loss  mi/day  mi.  
    1 7.8 Hawk Mtn Shelter     1181 1763 7.8 7.8  
    2 8.7 Gooch Gap Tenting   2266 2682 8.3 16.5  
    3 14.2 Neels Gap Mountain Crossings.  Hostel, meals, resupply shower.  Send home what you don't need. 2 3762 3421 10.2 30.7  
    4 10.8 Low Gap Shelter     2814 2889 10.4 41.5  
    5 15.0 Tray Mtn Shelter     4669 3519 11.3 56.5  
    6 11.0 Hiawassee Hitch to town from Dick's Creek Gap or two hostel choices 2 2436 3961 11.3 67.5  
    7 11.8 Muskrat Creek Shelter Tough climb up from Dick's Creek Gap; enter North Carolina   4079 2154 11.3 79.3  
    8 12.5 Carter Gap Shelters     2606 2666 11.5 91.8  
    9 15.9 Franklin, NC Albert Mtn 6.2 miles into the day.   2 3085 3775 12.0 107.7  
    10 11.0 Wayah Shelter     3147 2187 11.9 118.7  
    11 10.6 Wesser Bald Shelter Alternate:  Hike 5.7 more miles to NOC   2361 3056 11.8 129.3  
    12 12.6 Sassafrass Gap Shelter Stop at NOC for lunch and resupply. 1 3449 3234 11.8 141.9  
    13 15.2 Cable Gap Shelter     3271 4721 12.1 157.1  
    14 6.6 Fontana Dam Shelter Alternates:  Stay at Fontana Village (call for ride from AT Crossing reception center) or Hike Inn (call for ride from Visitor's Center).  Otherwise hitch to Fontana Village for resupply.  Fill out park permit. 4 1344 2449 11.7 163.7  
    15 13.8 Russell Field Shelter Long Climb up from Dam   4805 2220 11.8 177.5  
    16 14.7 Silers Bald Shelter     4248 3148 12.0 192.2 Smoky Mtns
    17 15.5 Icewater Spring Shelter Alternate: Hitch to Gatlinburg from Newfound Gap at 12.5 mi.   3517 3057 12.2 207.7  
    18 12.6 Tricorner Knob Shelter     3012 3012 12.2 220.3  
    19 18.1 Standing Bear Hstl Good resupply available, will get you to Hot Springs 1 2585 6705 12.5 238.4  
    20 15.4 Roaring Fork Shelter     5196 3046 12.7 253.8  
    21 18.0 Hot Springs, NC PO, Outfitter, grocery.  Elmer's Hostel or Duckett House 3 3100 5724 12.9 271.8  
    22 11.0 Spring Mtn Shelter     3636 1662 12.9 282.8  
    23 15.4 Jerry Cabin Shelter     4354 3190 13.0 298.2  
    24 14.7 Hogback Ridge Shelter     3568 3572 13.0 312.9  
    25 10.1 Bald Mtn. Shelter     2624 1984 12.9 323.0  
    26 16.9 Erwin, TN Uncle Johnny's, or one of many in-town lodging choices 2 2632 6012 13.1 339.9  
    27 17.0 Cherry Gap Shelter     5068 2888 13.2 356.9  
    28 15.6 Roan High Shelter Highest Shelter on AT   5295 2910 13.3 372.5  
    29 15.7 Mtn Harbor Hostel Resupply in Roan Mtn 1 2300 5677 13.4 388.2  
    30 16.5 Tenting Near Jones Falls   2882 2380 13.5 404.7  
    31 16.8 Hampton, TN Braemar Hostel or Iron Mtn Inn.  Alternate:  Watuaga Lake Shelter 1.8 mi further 2 3000 4420 13.6 421.5  
    32 15.4 Iron Mtn Shelter     3843 1708 13.7 436.9  
    33 15.9 Abingdon Gap Shelter     2456 2808 13.7 452.8  
    34 10.2 Damascas VA PO, grocery, outfitter, hostels 4 713 2558 13.6 463.0  
    35 15.8 Lost Mtn Shelter     4012 2540 13.7 478.8  
    36 12.2 Thomas Knob Shelter High and exposed shelter - be prepared for cold   3388 1388 13.6 491.0 Grayson
    37 11.0 Old Orchard Shelter Take your time on this scenic stretch of trail.   1210 2560 13.6 502.0 Highlands
    38 11.7 Camping Or church hostel in Troutdale 1.5 mi earlier.   2059 2539 13.5 513.7  
    39 13.0 Partnership Shelter Showers-Pizza Hut Delivery-Phone   2066 2380 13.5 526.7  
    40 11.6 Atkins VA Happy Hollow Hostel or Relax Inn (where the Trail crosses US11) 5 1991 2827 13.5 538.3  
    41 14.0 Knot Maul Shelter     3201 2741 13.5 552.3  
    42 16.0 Davis Farm Campsite     3698 2978 13.5 568.3  
    43 17.0 Helvey's Mill Shelter     3041 3551 13.6 585.3  
    44 18.2 Camp - Dismal Falls  Campsites on side trail to falls.  Be aware that there is road access from far side of Dismal Creek; weekends draw visitors.  Alternates: campsites near Kimberling Creek (16.2 mi) or at Trent's Grocery (16.3 mi).   2770 3765 13.7 603.5  
    45 12.0 Woods Hole Hostel Alternate:  Doc's Knob Shelter 2.2 mi further   2352 1065 13.7 615.5  
    46 10.4 Pearisburg VA Rendezvous Motel near trail  5 2080 3262 13.6 625.9  
    47 19.3 Pine Swamp Branch Shelter Hard to avoid this hard day; long resupply stretch here.   3801 3471 13.7 645.2  
    48 12.7 War Spur Shelter     2364 2554 13.7 657.9  
    49 12.2 Sarver Hollow Shelter Climb at end of the day   3254 2194 13.7 670.1  
    50 16.1 Pickle Branch Shelter     2913 4468 13.7 686.2  
    51 17.0 Campbell Shelter Just past McAfee Knob   3863 3128 13.8 703.2  
    52 15.4 Daleville VA Nice morning view from Tinker Cliffs or backtrack to McAfee.  Daleville has estaurants, grocery, outfitter, hotels...everything except hostel. 2 2428 3708 13.8 718.6  
    53 18.5 Bobblets Gap Shelter     4161 3541 13.9 737.1  
    54 18.3 Cornelius Creek Shelter     4845 3620 14.0 755.4  
    55 19.9 Glasgow, VA One-hotel town.  Call in advance if you can, or be prepared to return to trail if full. 4 3934 6344 14.1 775.3  
    56 15.0 Tenting Near Pedlar Village site   4177 3912 14.1 790.3  
    57 20.8 Steely-Woodworth Shelter     5738 2968 14.2 811.1  
    58 14.4 Harpers Creek Shelter     3188 5158 14.2 825.5  
    59 15.5 Tenting Humpback Mtn   4614 2817 14.3 841.0  
    60 11.5 Waynesboro, VA Get ride from Rockfish Gap visitor's center.
    Mail home winter gear?  Resuppy minimally because food readily available in SNP.
    1 1035 2730 14.2 852.5  
    61 20.0 Black Rock Hut Get backcountry permit as you leave skyline drive.  Camping is permitted in SNP, but nearly impractical because you are not supposed to tent within sight of buildings (waysides), shelters, roads or the trail (how does one find a campsite that you can't see from the trail?)   4751 4008 14.3 872.5 Shenandoah
    62 13.2 Pinefield Hut Loft Mountain Campground (7mi into day) for food   2376 2591 14.3 885.7 NP
    63 20.6 Bearfence Mtn Hut Stop by Lewis Campstore for food just before reaching shelter   4721 4041 14.4 906.3  
    64 11.5 Rock Spring Hut Big Meadows for meals & supplies   2170 1815 14.3 917.8  
    65 14.1 Luray, VA Town with everything but a hostel.
    Resupply a day light & make it up a Elkwallow wayside.
    2 2621 3779 14.3 931.9  
    66 14.3 Gravel Springs Hut Elkwallow Wayside 8.6 mi for lunch    2822 2649 14.3 946.2  
    67 18.6 Jim & Molly Denton Shelter Alternate:  Go into Front Royal 5 mi earlier   3249 4419 14.4 964.8  
    68 18.4 Rod Hollow Shelter     3413 3883 14.5 983.2  
    69 17.8 Blackburn Center "Roller Coaster" early in the day   4864 4054 14.5 1001.0  
    70 11.8 Harpers Ferry WV This mileage is to ATC side trail.  Many lodging choices.  Another hostel 1.5 north of town. 3 1122 2288 14.5 1012.8  
    71 17.9 Dahlgren BP Area Shower. Restaurant nearby.   2669 2163 14.5 1030.7  
    72 13.9 Ensign Cowall Shelter Or Free State Hostel.  North from Pine Knob Shelter is significantly rocky.   2177 1791 14.5 1044.6  
    73 14.5 Deer Lick Shelters Rocky Trail up until Pen Mar Park (9.6 mi), fairly smooth afterward.  Can call for pizza delivery at Pen Mar Park.   2746 2646 14.5 1059.1  
    74 15.8 Fayetteville, PA
    Quarry Gap Shelters
    Eat and resupply, move on 3 miles further to nice shelters.  Alternate: Caledonia Park or lodging in town to the west.  Short resupply because food is available next two days. 1 2578 2599 14.5 1074.9  
    75 17.3 Ironmaster's Hostel Pine Grove Furnace - ice cream challenge, more food available   1758 2393 14.6 1092.2  
    76 19.4 Boiling Springs, PA Camping 0.5mi south of town Labor Day to Memorial Day (porta-privy) or check ATC info board: sometimes locals take in hikers or allow yard camping.  Food available at Green Mountain store (8.6 mi) into the day.  No camping for next 14.3 mi.   2699 2969 14.6 1111.6  
    77 14.3 Darlington Shelter     1771 1071 14.6 1125.9  
    78 11.4 Duncannon, PA Doyle Hotel 3 1270 2130 14.6 1137.3  
    79 11.3 Peter's Mtn Shelter     1765 962 14.5 1148.6  
    80 17.5 Rausch Gap Shelter     1920 2153 14.6 1166.1  
    81 17.4 501 Shelter     2503 2003 14.6 1183.5  
    82 23.7 Port Clinton, PA Pavillion tenting.  Short resupply because there are 3 towns in the next 5 days. 2 2030 3090 14.7 1207.2  
    83 15.2 Eckville Shelter     2538 2338 14.7 1222.4  
    84 13.3 Tripoli Campsite     2026 1226 14.7 1235.7  
    85 11.8 Palmerton, PA Jailhouse Hostel.  Shower/food/supplies available   1172 2192 14.7 1247.5  
    86 20.5 Wind Gap, PA Climb in Morning; rest of day very level.  Hotel very near trail.    2692 2092 14.7 1268.0  
    87 15.6 Delaware Water Gap Church Hostel, restaurants, outfitter, supplies 3 1769 2229 14.8 1283.6  
    88 10.5 Mohican Outdoor Center Bunks or camping.  Meals available but little supplies.  Enjoy short day; scenic trail, Sunfish Pond.   1902 1302 14.7 1294.1  
    89 20.9 Gren Anderson Shelter     2420 2220 14.8 1315.0  
    90 13.0 High Point Shelter     1567 1607 14.8 1328.0  
    91 18.9 Vernon, NJ Church Hostel, restaurants and grocery near hostel 2 1854 2684 14.8 1346.9  
    92 17.1 Wildcat Shelter Approx 44 miles from Vernon to Bear Mtn, NY are  difficult.  Ice Cream at NY 17, 2.0 mi before shelter.   2472 1742 14.8 1364.0  
    93 14.3 Fingerboard Shelter     2823 2703 14.8 1378.3  
    94 14.1 Fort Montgomery, NY   3 2401 3577 14.8 1392.4  
    95 18.3 Tenting Fahnestock SP   3838 3062 14.8 1410.7  
    96 16.0 Morgan Stewart Shelter     2681 2296 14.9 1426.7  
    97 16.5 Wiley Shelter     2011 2696 14.9 1443.2  
    98 12.4 Mt. Algo Lean-to 0.3mi from road leading into Kent, CT.  Make trip into town in the afternoon or morning for resupply, laundry and  & meals, but lodging is expensive.
    Alternate:  Hitch north to Cornwall Bridge and arrange a slackpack from Rte 341 (1455.9)  to Rte 4 (1467.0)  CALL FIRST.  Cornwall Bridge lodging will be expensive on weekends.
    1 2596 2846 14.9 1455.6  
    99 17.3 Pine Swamp Br Shelter Cornwall Bridge, CT 11.4 mi. from Mt. Algo Shelter and 0.9mi from trail is alternative to Kent for resupply.    3346 2621 14.9 1472.9  
    100 15.7 Salisbury, CT Two hostel-like homes, or White Hart Inn.  Resupply one day short; supplement in Dalton or Chesire. 4 2070 2465 14.9 1488.6  
    101 14.2 Glen Brook Lean-to Climb Bear Mtn and Mt. Everett, good swimming holes in Sages Ravine    3365 2160 14.9 1502.8  
    102 19.6 Mt. Wilcox S. Lean-to     3144 3309 14.9 1522.4  
    103 15.8 Upper Goose Pond     2627 2864 14.9 1538.2  
    104 17.6 Kay Wood Lean-to     2432 2055 15.0 1555.8  
    105 16.7 Mark Noepel Lean-to Skip Breakfast, wait till you get to Dalton.  Eat in Chesire, 9.3 mi from Dalton.   3837 2897 15.0 1572.5  
    106 9.6 Williamstown or
    North Adams, MA
    Williamstown has a bit more than N. Adams, including outfitter (Mountain Goat) where you may camp.  N. Adams is closer. 3 1351 3533 14.9 1582.1  
    107 14.1 Congdon Shelter Enter VT, join Long Trail   3033 1591 14.9 1596.2  
    108 14.4 Goddard Shelter Steep descent to / climb up from Rte 9 (leads into Bennington)   3825 2137 14.9 1610.6  
    109 16.3 Stratton Mountain Tent, or continue 3 miles to shelter   2884 2696 14.9 1626.9  
    110 13.7 Manchester Center, VT   2 1207 3281 14.9 1640.6  
    111 16.5 Big Branch Shelter Nice, with big brook rumbling out front   2915 3228 14.9 1657.1  
    112 16.9 Clarendon Shelter     2911 3270 14.9 1674.0  
    113 16.4 Rutland, VT Bus/hitch into Rutland, or Inn at Long Trail. 2 3869 3179 15.0 1690.4  
    114 19.9 Winturri Shelter     4186 4166 15.0 1710.3  
    115 20.4 Happy Hill Shelter Can get food at West Hartford, (16.4 mi).  Some homeowners invite hikers to tent in their yard; check at general store.   4140 4640 15.0 1730.7  
    116 5.8 Hanover, NH Short hiking day - much to explore in town.  Check DOC for lodging options, or continue 6.1 mi to Etna, NH (Tigger's Tree House).  Resupply short 1 day to be made up at Glencliff.
    * GET WINTER GEAR *
    2 322 1191 15.0 1736.5  
    117 16.7 Trapper John Shelter     3840 3026 15.0 1753.2  
    118 12.0 Hexacuba Shelter     3306 2671 15.0 1765.2  
    119 14.6 Glencliff, NH Hikers Welcome Hostel, post office.   3297 4137 15.0 1779.8  
    120 9.5 North Woodstock,
     NH
    Via Kinsman Notch.  Many lodging options here and in adjacent town of Lincoln.  Short resuppy in expectation of meals at huts.  If hut stays do not pan out, pick up more supplies at Crawford Notch or on Mt. Washington. 2 4076 3404 14.9 1789.3 White
    121 11.5 Kinsman Pond Shelter Two alternate plans:
    1) Continue 2.1 mi and try for WFS at Lonesome Lake Hut,
    2) Continue 4.8 mi to Franconia Notch and hitch back to North Woodstock/Lincoln (arrange slackpack).
      4556 2618 14.9 1800.8 Mountains
    122 15.1 Garfield Campsite Tough climb up to Franconia Ridge.  Once up, beautiful open stretch of trail.  Alternate:  Try for WFS at Greenleaf Hut (risk:  steep, mile long side trail & return if no WFS / reward: fewer hikers competing for WFS, 2 days on Franconia Ridge)    5035 5285 14.9 1815.9  
    123 14.5 Ethan Pond Campsite Stay at Zealand Falls Hut (9.7 mi) if WFS is available.  4 mi. Section from hut to campsite is easy, smooth and level.   2810 3360 14.9 1830.4  
    124 14.0 Lake of Clouds Hut At Crawford Notch, can hitch down to Willey House for lunch and short-term supplies.  Tough climb back up from Notch.   4789 2739 14.9 1844.4  
    125 14.9 Gorham, NH By way of Pinkham Notch.  In Gorham:  Barn Hostel/lodging/meals/supplies.  Alternate:  Lodging,  meals, supplies also available at the notch. (WFS Camp Dodge) 4 3343 6293 14.9 1859.3  
    126 13.1 Imp Campsite Rugged day.  Shelter and many tent sites.   5062 3862 14.9 1872.4  
    127 14.9 Trident Col Campsite 7 mile "easy" stretch after Mt. Moriah.  Alternate:  Make a short, 8-mi day of it and return to Gorham via Rte 2.   3484 4714 14.9 1887.3  
    128 14.5 Full Goose Shelter     4069 3059 14.9 1901.8  
    129 12.0 Baldpate Lean-to Tough day including  Mahoosuc Notch and Arm.   4469 4839 14.8 1913.8  
    130 8.0 Andover, ME Via East B Road.  A couple of nice hostel choices - section to South Arm road could be slackpacked.   2034 3209 14.8 1921.8  
    131 10.1 Andover, ME Via South Arm Road.  Alternate:  get supplies on previous day and do short (6mi) or long (18mi) day to shelter before or after road. 3 3259 3334 14.7 1931.9  
    132 17.0 Sabbath DayPond Lean-to Alternate:  Slackpacks easy to arrange from Andover (East B to South Arm Rd) or Rangeley (Rte 17 to Rte 4)   4803 3823 14.8 1948.9  
    133 11.2 Piazza Rock Lean-to Alternate:  Rangeley, Me Via Rte 4 (9.4 mi)   1631 1956 14.7 1960.1  
    134 16.9 Spaulding Mtn Lean-to Climb the Saddleback peaks   5037 3962 14.8 1977.0  
    135 13.5 Stratton, ME   3 3453 5193 14.7 1990.5  
    136 15.3 Little Bigelow Lean-to     5054 4694 14.7 2005.8  
    137 17.3 Pierce Pond Lean-to     2015 2615 14.8 2023.1  
    138 18.7 Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to Reach Kennebec River (3.7mi) in time for 9-11am ferry.  PO in Caratunk close by if needed.   3054 2914 14.8 2041.8  
    139 13.0 Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to     1787 2217 14.8 2054.8  
    140 9.0 Monson, ME  Shaws.   7 1390 1045 14.7 2063.8  
    141 15.1 Long Pond Stream Lean-to Enter 100 mi wilderness   2399 2674 14.7 2078.9 100 Mile
    142 10.9 Chairback Gap Lean-to     2978 1988 14.7 2089.8 Wilderness
    143 9.9 Carl Newhall Lean-to Add 5.2 Gulf Hagas loop trail, a recommended diversion.   1687 1757 14.7 2099.7  
    144 18.9 Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to First 5.8 mi of day, to top of White Cap Mtn is last significant climb until Katahdin.  View of Katahdin as trail descends the mountain.  Picturesque shelter setting.    3560 4540 14.7 2118.6  
    145 21.5 Wadleigh Stream Lean-to Alternate: White House Landing (13.8mi)   1295 1490 14.8 2140.1  
    146 19.6 Hurd Brook Lean-to     2267 2242 14.8 2159.7  
    147 13.4 The Birches Lean-to Stop at Abol Bridge store (11.2 mi) for food.  A little further along there is a sign-up board for the Birches.   973 613 14.8 2173.1  
    148 5.2 Katahdin 5.2 More miles to get back down to the Birches, the closest location accessible by car.  If you have a ride arranged (family or friends picking you up?), consider descending north side of Katahdin and having them pick you up at the Roaring Brook Campground, 5.47 mi via Saddle Trail and Chimney Pond Trail or 4.46 on Knife Edge and Helon Taylor Trail.    4374 176 14.7 2178.3  
    Comments: Comments apply to the hiking day that ends at "Destination".
    Elev gain/loss: 
    The sum (in feet) of elevation gain/loss during this segment of trail.  This is a very crude measure of  trail difficulty.
    Resupply:  This is the number of days worth of supplies that should be purchased at this location.  The number always assumes that meals (dinner and breakfast at least) will be eaten at the towns where the supplies are obtained.  Sometimes this number is LESS than the number of days until the next resupply; this is usually due to an opportunity to get meals at points in-between.  Food is the heaviest "variable" in your pack, so this plan encourages resupplying often and eating meals when available (if budget permits).