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Now that Maine is open to those who are vaccinated, I'm thinking of heading that way to finish up the AT. So, questions.
Any estimate from the Maine locals when mud season will be over?
How about those black flies? When do they thin out?
I'm finished up to Andover, so that's where I'm going to start this year.
Dry Spring so far, but lots of snow up top still. About the time that fades and the mud starts drying is when the BFs bloom. Scattered flies now, just a few here and there, but they are coming already. I wouldn't rush it because of the snow. I heard several feet deep up high in the Bigelows the other day. Might as well come prepared for bugs whenever you come :)
I'm very flexible with my timeline, but I'd still like to get up there sooner rather than later. Any guess on the conditions mid to end of June? I'm trying to plan now especially since getting to Andover is not easy.
Less mud, little or no snow up top with BFs going from thick to fading as skeeters begin to come into season :) It is Maine after all.
Will you be finishing on Katahdin? No word yet on when they will open the high peaks, but so far it is looking like it won't be late.
Wicked dry right now, Hurd Brook and Abol Stream were low. Wildfires all over the state. Baxter's on track to open for camping May 15th, and I expect a trail up Katahdin to open before June.
We put down a bet that Traveler would open for Memorial Day. Two nights at USB :)Quote:
Originally Posted by TJ aka Teej
We're probably a good 3 weeks earlier then "normal" in spring conditions. Last year at this time the snow was just thinking about melting - and there was a lot of it. This year it's pretty much gone except for the high peaks.
If it stays fairly dry for May, mud and black flies will be mostly gone by June instead of July, but it's really hard to predict these things.
This is a current report posted by someone near the Bigelows today:
The valleys are drying out, but the mountains are still melting.Quote:
Snow is gone most everywhere (except for cold, always shaded areas) below 2400’...above 2400’ there is still plenty of WINTER in regards to snow with 4-6” of rotting snow starting there and getting deeper as you go up.
I would like to say that winter is gone for good up here — but Sugarloaf/Bigelows got 6-8” this past week and Eustis saw 10” and we’ve had many of mornings and evenings where it hits the 20s.
Katahdin is the plan. I've been trying to finish since 2018. Of course last year was a washout for obvious reasons.Quote:
Originally Posted by LoneStranger
Thanks for the input, guys. I think I'll shoot for sometime in the last week of June.
August 1st!
Looks like the spring monsoons have finally arrived and it seems I developed a leak in my roof someplace, err.
Looks like it will rain on and off for at least the next week and if that extends another week, we'd be in mid May. Traditionally, May and early June can be very wet.
But at least there will be plenty of water to drink and cook with. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Slo-go'en
I use the new england trail conditions website and check the Mt. Mansfield snow stake levels when planning trips.
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com: Hiking Trail Conditions For All of New England, Every Season of the Year - NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
The University of Vermont: SKIVT-L: Ski Vermont Discussion List: Vermont Skiing Rules : Vermont Ski History Vault: Movie, Photos, Maps : (uvm.edu)
Hope this helps! Good luck finishing up!