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  1. #1

    Default Is a Mid-May 5-day SOBO on Southern LT/AT a bad idea?

    A friend and I are making plans for a hike along the southern LT/AT. We've both done overnight trips, but this will be our longest hike. I have read that the LT can be awfully mucky in May, but with the early spring, I was thinking we might be OK.

    We were planning on putting in near Barnumville, with the optimistic hope of making it to North Adams, but the more realistic goal of making it to rt. 9 (Woodford). We'll both be hammocking, but I'm just curious what ye wizened souls thought of such an endeavor. Is this a nice section of the LT? Is this an awful time of year, or will it be alright? I'm interested in any and all thoughts!! Thanks!

  2. #2

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    The GMC requests hikers stay off the trail doing mud season; until Memorial Day Weekend I think.

    Last spring I did a loop combining parts of the AT and the Taconic Trail in the southwest corner of MA.

    The AT from Salisbury CT towards Greylock/North Adams might be nice.

  3. #3

    Default Mud Season

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Murphy View Post
    The GMC requests hikers stay off the trail doing mud season; until Memorial Day Weekend I think.

    Last spring I did a loop combining parts of the AT and the Taconic Trail in the southwest corner of MA.

    The AT from Salisbury CT towards Greylock/North Adams might be nice.
    I was hoping mud season might end a little early this year. You think it would still be too mucky mid-late May (~13th-17th) even with the crazy March? I'll look into your suggestions, those might be nice alternatives, thanks!

    How do SoBo AT thru-hikers get through VT if not on the trails?

  4. #4
    Fat Guy Lemni Skate's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lone View Post
    How do SoBo AT thru-hikers get through VT if not on the trails?
    Sobo thru hikers start in June.
    Lemni Skate away

    The trail will save my life

  5. #5
    MEGA '11, LT '09,'13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lemni Skate View Post
    Sobo thru hikers start in June.
    Or later. Most dont hit the Maine Junction until July or August. Save the trail (and your feet) and go later.

  6. #6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by on_the_GOEZ View Post
    Or later. Most dont hit the Maine Junction until July or August. Save the trail (and your feet) and go later.
    Oh wow! I assumed they left way earlier than that. Good to know, thanks! We'll have to start hunting for a good alternative.

  7. #7
    Registered User Yukon's Avatar
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    The section you want to do is real nice, and the mud is almost dried up already. This will be an exceptionally short mud season, even the GMC has stated that it is already over in some parts. I would expect that by Mid-May you will be more than able to do that part. Heck, I'm hiking alot of the same section this weekend. I was up Glastenbury a couple weeks ago and the trail was already bone dry. Hope we get some more rain this spring, we will need it...

  8. #8

    Default

    I've been planning on going down to SW VA to hike for a few weeks staring the 3d week of May, but now I'm thinking the Long Trail would be better. Mud season? Didn't really happen this year here in the Whites. I hope that changes, but doesn't seem too likely at the moment.
    Follow slogoen on Instagram.

  9. #9

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Slo-go'en View Post
    I've been planning on going down to SW VA to hike for a few weeks staring the 3d week of May, but now I'm thinking the Long Trail would be better. Mud season? Didn't really happen this year here in the Whites. I hope that changes, but doesn't seem too likely at the moment.
    It seems like the northern sections may have some melt to replenish some of the streams. I know there is are significant rain events coming in the next week.

  10. #10

    Default

    You'll be south of the the land that is closed off for Mud Season and you should be OK. You can always double check with the GMC to be sure. I volunteer as a long trail mentor and checked with the GMC about someone who wanted to start and End to End trip at the Mass border and from the feedback I got, you really should be fine. Do be ready for some bugs and mud, however.

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