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[murphy_sj]

Hello,

I'm looking to start a month long section hike in early April. Does anybody have any suggestions on what the best section to do would be? I'm looking for a place that's not deathly cold, not crazy crowded, and also beautiful. Perhaps I ask for too much. Any suggestions are welcome!

thanks

[rambunny]

If you started in Damascus then you might be ahead of the crowd.

[Blissful]

Agree, head out of Damascus north. Will be chilly though at times

[white_russian]

With this winter going the way it is you may want to join the crowds in Georgia.

[murphy_sj]

according to ATCs website they seem to suggest that central and northern virginia is the best in spring. Any thoughts on catching a bus to Roanoke and heading north from there?? thanks

[Lauriep]

Early April is still the dead of winter just about everywhere on the Trail, except for the lower elevations in Georgia and where the A.T. passes through towns like Hot Springs and Harpers Ferry. North of Georgia, winter typically has the weakest grip on the mountains north of Shenandoah National Park, where the trail elevation drops significantly (well below 2,000 feet, and about 250' in Harpers Ferry).

Heading north from Roanoke, you'll be at higher elevation than in northern Virginia, and will cross some 4,000-footers. It'll be colder and the chance of encountering snow or ice will be higher than in northern Virginia. Normally, starting in Roanoke in early April you might see a small trickle of the early northbounders, but so many of the early thru-hikers have been slowed or thwarted this year you might not see any. The bigger, wilder mountains do offer more spectacular scenery than in northern Virginia/Mayland. You can get a Greyhound bus to Roanoke and a shuttle the rest of the way (see www.appalachiantrail.org/transportation for a listing of public transportation and shuttle service providers).

Heading north from Damascus you'll see more northbounders (no worries about crowds of them) but in early April there's still the chance of a significant snowfall in the Mt. Rogers high country (starting about 20 miles north of Damascus), where the A.T. reaches an elevation of 5500'. Average snowfall on Mt. Rogers (5729') is almost a hundred inches a year--comparable to places in New England.

Shenandoah National Park is an option too, with public transportation available at Front Royal at the north end, and Charlottesville 20 miles from the southern end. Highest elevation there is 3837. Skyline Drive can be a plus or a minus depending on your perspective, but only a few of the services found along the drive will be open in early April.

Laurie P.
ATC