View Full Version : Reporter seeks opinions on AT day-hikes
frankieshoes
11-12-2007, 21:47
Hi,
I'm doing a feature article on the best AT day-hikes. Basically, I'm just looking for top 5 or top 10 lists, annotated if you want with what makes those particular hikes so great.
Thanks! Any help is much appreciated.
p.s. - I also posted this in the media forums, but looks like this section draws more users so re-posted here.
Survivor Dave
11-12-2007, 21:54
This book by Victoria and Frank Logue might start you in the right direction.
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Appalachian-Trail-Official-Guides/dp/0897321383
SD
Alligator
11-12-2007, 22:30
A day hike up Katahdin is always memorable.
orangebug
11-12-2007, 23:09
Welcome to WhiteBlaze. You will find a good variety of hikers here from the hardcore thru hikers, to newbies, to section hikers and everything in between.
The problem with your question is sort of like asking "what is some good stuff to look at in the Louvre for an afternoon?" Pretty much everywhere along the AT is a passable day hike, and there are the very classic routine ones.
For instance, in the South, visiting Blood Mountain is a very popular day hike and has become one of the most used sections of the trail. It is sort of a Mona Lisa, with great views, an interesting rock shelter on top and a variety of rock and wood walks. And a lot of folks do very well walking this section several times a year - as it changes with the seasons and the light.
But there are other close beauties, like Standing Indian which could be done by about anyone as a 4 mile round hike if they find their car up a forest service road to Deep Gap. A far better view and as impressive as The Final Supper.
You know, the art history stuff would be very tiresome, and I'm not all that good at it. The Southern AT has great balds, peaks, ridges and streams. My very first walk was about 9 years old along Fontana Dam, and I hated seeing my brother, sister and Dad head on up to Shuckstack while I had to stay with a broken ankle. Virginia has plenty of great views like McAfee Knob, Grayson Highlands, 3 Ridges, Cold Mountain and the like. You should hear a number of breath taking descriptions of the Whites and Presidentials, as well the the Ultimate Mount K. But within bus range of NYC is Bear Mountain, Anthony's Nose, and other great walks in NY and NJ.
Good luck with your story. I think you will wind up needing a ride one of the days on your way to see Springer.
minnesotasmith
11-12-2007, 23:38
1) Mahoosuc Notch -- at night.
2) Speed hiking South Kinsman in the White Mountains.
3) Climbing Mt. Katahdin on a Class IV day.
4) Mahoosuc Arm when icy, or the north side of Mt. Moosilauke NOBO when wet or icy.
5) Fording the Kennebec River in on an April afternoon.
Those will get you started. :D
Go to the Appalachian Trail. Hike for half a day. Hike back to whence you came. You'll never forget.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
11-13-2007, 02:36
I'm one of the older and less mile oriented hikers here.
The AT goes thru Grayson Highlands State Park (http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/gra.shtml) in southern Virginia (near Damascus). This park contains a group of wild ponies (http://www.sundogoutfitter.com/horse-on-AT.jpg) that are somewhat accustomed to people walking thru their habitat. Continuing up the trail from the pony area thats you toward the Jefferson National Forest and several of the vistas that make Virginia such a popular destination. This link describes some of the nicer day hikes in the area (http://www.tehcc.org/FavoriteHikes.htm#at). This area also hosts the Virginia Creeper bike trail and SunDog Outfitter (http://www.adventuredamascus.com/CREEPER.HTM) in Damascus will take you and your bike or a rental bike up on WhiteTop mountain for an exhilarating 17 mile ride thru the woods back down to Damascus.
The AT criss-crosses Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park making it easy to design day hikes of varying lengths. Most of the trail in this area is fairly easy to hike and wildlife abounds. This is an especially good area for hikers who not accustomed to the elevation changes so common to the AT or who have health problems that may cause them to need to leave the hike earlier than expected.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
11-13-2007, 02:44
1) Mahoosuc Notch -- at night.
2) Speed hiking South Kinsman in the White Mountains.
3) Climbing Mt. Katahdin on a Class IV day.
4) Mahoosuc Arm when icy, or the north side of Mt. Moosilauke NOBO when wet or icy.
5) Fording the Kennebec River in on an April afternoon.
Those will get you started. :DSince the reporter may not know these things, this fellow is joking. All of the suggestions would be dangerous to attempt.
*The Bigelows
*The Notch
*Baldpates
Kirby
I second the Bigelows in Maine, principally because they are relatively wild, fairly easy to get to, and offer a good example of what high mountain hiking on the AT (at least in the Northeast) is all about. If you leave early enough, you can hike up the AT past the Horns Pond lean-tos, over Avery Peak and down the Fire Warden's trail in one fairly tough day for a person in relatively good shape. The views from the top are spectacular.
Then again, there's New Hampshire's Mt. Washington :rolleyes: - hike your butt off getting to the top (avoid Tuckerman's Ravine trail to avoid the herds of day hikers and hike from the west via the Ammonusuc Ravine trail), over the summit (past the herds again at the observation building - big and ugly [don't forget to get your "This body climbed Mt. Washington (N.H.)" tee shirt]) and down the Jewell trail. Hopefully the Cog (aka Smog) Railway's smoke is blowing the other way.
Getting real again, climbing Mt. Jefferson or Mt. Adams in the N.H. Presidential range will give a day hiker a real thrill of being "on top of New England".
A classic hike is to start in New Hampshire at the Old Bridle path at Franconia Notch.
Follow the the trail to the Greenleaf Hut. Enjoy lunch while looking at the views towards Franconia Ridge. Continue the (steep!) climb to Mt. Lafayette and walk south bound along one of the most famous stretches of the AT. The above treeline views encompass some of the best hiking in New England. You can see Mt. Washington and the rest of the Presies quite well.
At Haystack, go down the Falling Waters trail. On a hot, sticky August day the many waterfalls and streams are great to soak your feet in.
Come back to the parking lot. Drive to Lincoln, NH and grab a beer and burger.
A somewhat stiff hike at almost 9 miles and 4000' elev gain, but definitely a classic.
http://hikethewhites.com/photos/map_francs.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy/franconia.html#tocref2 (http://home.earthlink.net/%7Eellozy/franconia.html#tocref2)
A somewhat stiff hike at almost 9 miles and 4000' elev gain, but definitely a classic.
That hike, and a hike to the summit of Moosilauke on the day before, were my intro to "serious" hiking. I've probably hiked the Franconia a couple dozen times since then. Never get tired of it.
Gray Blazer
11-13-2007, 11:47
TN/NC-Big Bald from either Sam's Gap or Spivey Gap-360 degree view @16 miles
Allen Gap to summit Camp Creek Bald-tower with 360 degree view approx 16 miles(?)
Davenport Gap to summit Mt Cammerrer-tower with good views-approx 16 miles(?)
Deep Gap to Bly Gap-good views at cliff by Muskrat Creek-approx 16 miles(?)
All of the above mentioned are round trip.
Don't forget Roan Highlands on TN/NC border.
rlharris
11-13-2007, 14:28
Moosilauke is a good suggestion. It will introduce the hiker to the alpine zone and its unique flora. I prefer the Benton trail approach rather than the AT because it has less (foot) traffic.
That hike, and a hike to the summit of Moosilauke on the day before, were my intro to "serious" hiking. I've probably hiked the Franconia a couple dozen times since then. Never get tired of it.
Climbing to the summit of Mt. Lafayette was my first ever "real" hike as well. (http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=33)
I can honestly say the day hike changed my life in many ways.
A (blurry) pic of a 12 yr old Mags (http://www.magnanti.com/miscwritings/laf97.jpg). :) Notice the white blazes!
Nearly Normal
11-13-2007, 17:39
As with any hike you might enjoy or not, weather will be a huge factor.
Nearly Normal
Ron Haven
11-13-2007, 22:27
Hi,
I'm doing a feature article on the best AT day-hikes. Basically, I'm just looking for top 5 or top 10 lists, annotated if you want with what makes those particular hikes so great.
Thanks! Any help is much appreciated.
p.s. - I also posted this in the media forums, but looks like this section draws more users so re-posted here.As a personal opinion.I have a business and a family.This limits my leisure time.For,fun,exercise,and loving to get back in the mountains with natural creations.A day hike or a weekend excursion with my family or friends is solid gold mentally to me.