Leaving a Bike at the Trailhead

[Cool Hands]

I am planning a three-day NOBO backpack of the South Taconic Trail and a SOBO traverse of the section of the AT through the Taconics, about 32 miles of trail, and was hoping to connect the two trailheads without a four mile roadwalk -- I'm covered as far as transportation to the southern terminus of the STT and transportation from the southern AT road crossing is concerned.

Anyways, I noticed that the northern terminus of the South Taconic Trail at Catamount Ski Area is in a relatively high pass, and therefore the route to the AT at its crossing of North Undermountain Road is mostly downhill, so I'm thinking about hiding a bike somewhere where I could retrieve it and wouldn't have to worry about it getting stolen -- probably a few yards into the woods. My question was have any of you ever done something similar, and do you think it would be safe to do this? I won't tell you when I'm doing the hike, for obvious reasons ;).

Also, if you're familiar with the area, do you have any suggestions for camping on the South Taconic Trail other than the hut on Alander Mountain, or any other information on the route I might want to know?

[johnnyblisters]

While Ridgerunning in that section, I would leave my bike hidden and locked to a tree and never had a problem. Rt. 41 & 7 get plenty of traffic but is beautiful to ride.

I've only hiked the STT on day hikes so I can't comment on camping but I wouldn't consider it any different from any other trail.

[Egads]

I've done it in NC. I've locked my bike up too. :D

[johnnyblisters]

I've done it in NC. I've locked my bike up too. :D

Zing! Bah duh bump

[Cookerhiker]

I've done several bike-one-way, hike-the-other-way outings in the AT corridor including a couple not far from where you're hiking. No problems but all them were single day trips i.e. not overnight. I stashed the bike out of sight and locked it.

[Blissful]

My hubby hid bikes in VA in thickets several times to meet us on the AT in '07. No issues. Not sure up there but it worked out fine for us.

[Skid.]

I plan on trying this in Va, but will be picking up a garage-sale bike beforehand, and leaving the Cannondale at home.........

[Tinker]

I did it many times in New Hampshire in the 1980s and 1990s. I used a woman's three speed in a dark color. Few people would want to risk getting caught trying to steal one of those (and yes, I locked it to a tree ;):D).

[shelterbuilder]

I did the same thing many years ago when I did the Mass. section of the AT after my partner cancelled at the last minute. Also locked the bike to a tree, and used a camo tarp to wrap the bike to make it even harder to see. No problems....

[Driver8]

Just take care to make sure you remember where you hide the bike. Maybe draw a map or take a photo or two.

[Cosmo]

I've done this too. The tricky part is riding the bike with a backpack.

Put a note on the bike, in case a maintainer or corridor monitor spots it. You don't have to give a specific return date, just let them know you will be returning to pick it up "in a few days".

Cosmo