Warm section recommendations for mid-March?

[ShelterLeopard]

Hey y'all, I have a week off mid March, and I need to hike or my brain will turn to dust. I'm looking for someplace that'll be warmish, does anyone have any good recommendations? Second week of March, and I can drive pretty much anywhere on the AT. I kind of remember that Grayson Highlands was warm and sunny around this time, but my hike is all a blur now! Any recs are appreciated.

[takethisbread]

Nothing is really warm in mid march. The weather is probably about the same springer to NJ, (wildly unpredictable and wet) I was in Grayson Highlands in march in 2013 and it was hard snow, desolate and very cold . You might have some warm days in Georgia.

If I wanted warm days in march I'd suggest the Grand Canyon, The AZT, the Hayduke or maybe the pinhoti is slightly warmer .


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[Alligator]

Over a week's time you will be more likely to catch a few colder days than normal. I will suggest lower elevation spots but note you would be missing out on a benefit of March hiking, which is the opportunity to see beyond the ridges due to lack of tree cover.

[johnnybgood]

Looking at the AccuWeather forecast in March for SWVA.(Roanoke Valley), daily highs/lows about 10 degrees colder historically for that timeframe.

[bigcranky]

The coldest night I ever spent on the AT was in Grayson Highlands. In April. It's still winter even in the Southern Appalachians.

We hiked Ocala National Forest on the Florida Trail a few years ago in mid-March. That was a lot warmer, and a lot of fun. Way different from the AT, but still a good hike.

[4shot]

The coldest night I ever spent on the AT was in Grayson Highlands. In April. It's still winter even in the Southern Appalachians.

We hiked Ocala National Forest on the Florida Trail a few years ago in mid-March. That was a lot warmer, and a lot of fun. Way different from the AT, but still a good hike.

bigcranky...I agree with you and others. If it's the second week in March and you want warm, the AT is probably not the place. It may be warm (relatively speaking) but not likely. Of course it depends on one's definition of warm.

[bigcranky]

Of course it depends on one's definition of warm.

True. Someone coming down from Maine for Spring Break will think it's pretty warm (and we can get some very warm days in March and April.) Coming up from Florida? Not so much. :)

[Praha4]

I hiked Grayson Highlands early April last year, and there were a couple nights in the low teens, with snow. Even in north GA it can be early spring-like or snow/cold in mid March. You really won't know the forecast til a week prior. The Florida Trail is warm in March.

[Lauriep]

Others are right; there's nowhere on the A.T. in mid-March that you can count on being free of snow and ice or having temperatures staying above freezing. You have the best chance of finding not-frigid temperatures in Georgia and northern Virginia/Harpers Ferry/Maryland, but there are no guarantees. Sometimes the ground is bare here (north and south of Harpers Ferry), but we've also had mega ice storms and some of our deepest snows in March. Both Georgia and northern Virginia/Maryland are popular "spring break" (a misnomer) destinations in mid-March; Georgia is more crowded with all the thru-hikers. Typically it's a tad warmer and has a little less snow than this area, but the highest peaks (above 4000'), especially Blood Mountain and Tray Mountain are often colder, as our ridgelines average only around 1500'.

The Foothills Trail not far from the A.T. at lower elevations in North Carolina/South Carolina is a great place to hike in March. It's "warmish" compared with weather on the A.T. at the same time.

[Spirit Walker]

I'll second the suggestion of hiking the FT in the Ocala NF. Just right for a weeklong hike. We did that in March of 2010, when lingering snow and ice drove us off the AT.

[saltysack]

I'll second the suggestion of hiking the FT in the Ocala NF. Just right for a weeklong hike. We did that in March of 2010, when lingering snow and ice drove us off the AT.

How long is that section?


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[fredmugs]

Two years ago I hiked a week on the Palmetto Trail in SC. Not really difficult but I enjoyed it and it was a great week for me while my daughter spent her spring break at Myrtle Beach.

[RockDoc]

You can freeze pretty badly anywhere south of HF clear through April. Forget March.

[ShelterLeopard]

Hmmmmm. Maybe I'll give up on warm weather 'till May and just strap my snowshoes to my pack and hit Vermont for break. Thanks, y'all!

[takethisbread]

Hmmmmm. Maybe I'll give up on warm weather 'till May and just strap my snowshoes to my pack and hit Vermont for break. Thanks, y'all!

Shlep
Remember me? Wow u got mersa correct and had to leave a few years ago? Glad are ok. I'm gonna be doing some hikes in the whites in March (getting ready for pct) digger


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[ShelterLeopard]

DIGGER. Of course I remember you!! Want any company in March?

[ShelterLeopard]

And I'm getting ready for the PCT TOO!! When are you starting?

[takethisbread]

And I'm getting ready for the PCT TOO!! When are you starting?

Schlep I'm probably going into the whites in early to mid March hiking up to madison nothing too serious with some friends I thruhiked with. You are welcome to join us. As far as other hikes, I'd certainly be up for a nice 2-3 day hike in PA, nothing crazy just to stretch the legs out in mid to late February.


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[ShelterLeopard]

Digger, are you living in Mass. right now? Because I am, do you have any interest in stretching your legs in the Berkshires late Feb?

[ShelterLeopard]

And I have a few friends who'd probably be interested in tagging along