Where to finish the Trail?

[illabelle]

In our AT section hiking, we have skipped around here and there as it suited us, selecting sections according to the time of year, scenery, or just to see new terrain. But always it has been our intention to save the Hundred Mile Wilderness and Katahdin for last. With all the discussion about Baxter State Park*, we've changed our minds, and plan to do the HMW and K next year, leaving us with a dilemma - where to finish the Trail? The Trail Log below shows areas we have NOT done.
*Please don't turn this into yet another nauseating discussion about BSP policies. They are what they are. Whatever.

I've listed a few options below, each with some appeal, but none with the strong sense of satisfaction that Katahdin would have. We invite the WB community to nominate other potential endpoints for us to consider. Please include why you think it is a good endpoint.

Options we're considering:

1. Short skipped piece in SNP between our very first section and the next one we did (only about a mile or less).
2. Mt Washington (the Whites defeated us in 2011 after only 6 miles)
3. Amicalola Falls State Park (I hear it's beautiful, but it's not the Trail)
4. Your idea:_____________________________ (why?)

Personal Trail Log - Miles NOT done (1/3 PA, NY, CT, 1/2 VT, NH, 3/4 ME):

Segment	Distance
USFS71-Deep Gap, NC to US64-Winding Stair Gap, NC	24.4
TN395-Indian Grave Gap to Huges Gap	21.1
VA16-Sugar Grove, VA to US21 and 52-Bland, VA	57.6
VA635-Stony Creek to VA311-Catawba, VA	51.2
VA43-Mile 90.9 BRP, VA to VA664-Reeds Gap, VA	93.1
Skyland Service RD N-SNP, VA to US50-Ashby Gap, VA	57.2
Port Clinton, PA to Delaware Water Gap, PA	76.3
NY17A-Bellvale, NY to MA23-Great Barrington, MA	157.7
VT140-Wallingford, VT to Mizpah Spring Hut, NH	173.0
Mount Washington, NH to E B Hill RD-Andover, ME	76.0
ME17-Oquossoc, ME to ME27-Stratton, ME	45.3
US201-Caratunk, ME to Baxter Peak-Katahdin, ME	151.2
Total Appalachian Trail Miles	984.1

You have hiked 984.1 out of 2189.2 miles (45.0%).

[rafe]

The view from the trail crossing at Maine Hwy 17 is pretty awesome.

[illabelle]

The view from the trail crossing at Maine Hwy 17 is pretty awesome.

That's true!
We slacked SOBO from there to S Arm last week. Dropped off in the early morning (saw two moose on the road!), the view was awesome. Then that evening, we drove to Stratton along that road for another part of our adventure, and saw the sunset over the water. That was awesomer! (And then we saw three more moose later on after it got dark!)

[Water Rat]

Hmmm.... What about ending on Mt. Washington? Amazing views from up there and it could possibly give you the satisfaction of having gone back and accomplished what once seemed impossible. That seems pretty satisfying in my book.

[JustaTouron]

In our AT section hiking, we have skipped around here and there as it suited us, selecting sections according to the time of year, scenery, or just to see new terrain.

I would continue doing that. What ever is the last thing on the list gets done last.

[illabelle]

Hmmm.... What about ending on Mt. Washington? Amazing views from up there and it could possibly give you the satisfaction of having gone back and accomplished what once seemed impossible. That seems pretty satisfying in my book.

Mt Washington is a strong contender for our endpoint. And yes, after being beaten by our mini-hike of 6 miles, I would like to successfully walk up that hill!

[Water Rat]

Mt Washington is a strong contender for our endpoint. And yes, after being beaten by our mini-hike of 6 miles, I would like to successfully walk up that hill!

Just remember - ANY section of the trail has the potential to seem impossible on an off day! I have a feeling you will successfully walk up that hill.

[BirdBrain]

I would finish on Baxter Peak. Don't let others define your walk (including me). You are not an issue. You would be welcome. Other than that, you have already done the two I would vote for as alternatives. Moosilauke would have been my first recommendation. The Mahoosucs would have been my second. So, I guess I am another vote for Mt Washington if it can't be Baxter Peak.

[illabelle]

I would finish on Baxter Peak. Don't let others define your walk (including me). You are not an issue. You would be welcome. Other than that, you have already done the two I would vote for as alternatives. Moosilauke would have been my first recommendation. The Mahoosucs would have been my second. So, I guess I am another vote for Mt Washington if it can't be Baxter Peak.

Nope, haven't done Moosilauke or the Mahoosucs yet. Trail log above is the stuff we HAVEN'T done. I will add them to my option list. Doing the Notch & Arm as a finish is actually kind of appealing. And it still involves a finish in the 14th state.

[BirdBrain]

I misunderstood. Well then.... Moosilauke was my favorite hill. That hill caught me off guard. I did not expect to see a huge grassy field up there. And the view is about as good as it gets. The Mahoosucs is my favorite section.

[illabelle]

I would continue doing that. What ever is the last thing on the list gets done last.

Except we don't want to finish on a nondescript pile of rocks in Pennsylvania, or at some nameless gravel road in Virginia. We want something memorable, or scenic, or hard, or something.

[LittleRock]

Except we don't want to finish on a nondescript pile of rocks in Pennsylvania, or at some nameless gravel road in Virginia. We want something memorable, or scenic, or hard, or something.

Yup - looks like you've already hiked all the good parts down here in the South :-)

[daddytwosticks]

You are from Tenn. Would finishing up the section down south here give you an easier opportunity to be surrounded by family members when you take those last steps?

[Traveler]

FWIW, I like what Water Rat said, the Mt. Washington ending (cue music from Last of the Mohicans)

[illabelle]

You are from Tenn. Would finishing up the section down south here give you an easier opportunity to be surrounded by family members when you take those last steps?

There's a little piece just south of Roan Mtn that we haven't done. We could save it for last. If it's anything like Roan Mtn, it could be spectacular during the spring blooming season.

[illabelle]

So far nobody's suggesting anything in New York or Connecticut or eastern Vermont. Nothing notable in those areas?

[Traveler]

So far nobody's suggesting anything in New York or Connecticut or eastern Vermont. Nothing notable in those areas?

Theres Greylock in MA, that leaves you in a place you can get to a car, or there is Jug End in MA after you cross the high plateau of Bear Mountain, Sages Ravine, Race Mountain, Everett, and clamber down the plateau on the north side. Those might make good end points that a car can be located at or waiting.

[tdoczi]

So far nobody's suggesting anything in New York or Connecticut or eastern Vermont. Nothing notable in those areas?

the bear mountain zoo? climb the monument on top of high point?

[joshuasdad]

I had all kinds of grand plans for my finish. Instead I just ended at a road near Joe Dodge Lodge in the shadow of Mt. Washington -- I had so much trouble finishing New Hampshire, that by process of elimination I just finished there.

I suggest finishing in NC/TN, and have friends and family hike with you on your last mile.