Least Favorite State

[fredmugs]

Do you have any states you will never hike in again?

For years I hated PA not only because of the rocks but because there's really not much to see. Once you've seen one farm the rest of them all look pretty much the same.

My new least favorite state is Vermont. Did the entire state this year with part of it in July and the rest last week. The rocks aren't as bad but throw in constant mud and tree roots and I believe it is much worse. Having to look down most of the day sucks and when you do get a view it's pretty much the same evergreen trees. My understanding is the Long Trail is even worse after it splits off so I won't be doing that.

No problems with any other state - just these two.

[tdoczi]

have many states yet to go but so far i've been really amazed by how boring the bulk of MA is. from jug end road to cheshire i'll never even think of hiking again. about 70 miles of nothing.

[Old Grouse]

Maybe these are the spots for some of those Burmashave signs, just to keep you two amused.

[sbhikes]

If you don't like trees, why do you hike? No matter how boring, I prefer beautiful nature to the gray cubicle wall I currently have to look at.

[4eyedbuzzard]

I'm sure the GMC will be devastated by your review.

Trail wear and erosion is a fact of life. All those roots you complain about have been exposed over the years by hikers like yourself who come to visit and take advantage of playing in Vermont's mountains and forests. Vermont has a very small population and tax base, and a LOT of miles of trails. It costs money to maintain and relocate trails when needed. But given their limited resources, Vermont sure offers a lot more hiking opportunities than states like, er, ah, Indiana. Just sayin'.

[Mags]

My understanding is the Long Trail is even worse after it splits off so I won't be doing that.

The LT is actually better as you get further north (and away) from the AT, IMO.

But, if you don't like trees, rocks and roots there is a probably a nice track at the local high school you could use.

ps.You just described most of northern New England hiking... You may want not want to bother hiking it and stick to the track.

[Smile]

PA I can do without.

[tdoczi]

If you don't like trees, why do you hike? No matter how boring, I prefer beautiful nature to the gray cubicle wall I currently have to look at.

one doesnt have to like hiking everywhere in order to like hiking. sure anyplace might be better than nothing but most of us can actually chose where to hike and not just take whatever we can.

[warraghiyagey]

A thread designed to be negative. . . . how original. . .

[Jeff]

My new least favorite state is Vermont. Did the entire state this year with part of it in July and the rest last week. The rocks aren't as bad but throw in constant mud and tree roots and I believe it is much worse. Having to look down most of the day sucks and when you do get a view it's pretty much the same evergreen trees. My understanding is the Long Trail is even worse after it splits off so I won't be doing that.

Interesting take. However, almost without exception NOBO thruhikers tell me they are so excited to get to Vermont and back into forests, mountains and wilderness. They always comment on how sweet the spruce forests smell at elevation.

[Moose2001]

The LT is actually better as you get further north (and away) from the AT, IMO.

But, if you don't like trees, rocks and roots there is a probably a nice track at the local high school you could use.

ps.You just described most of northern New England hiking... You may want not want to bother hiking it and stick to the track.

Yeah.....I second Mags' suggestion. Vermont is a great place to hike! If you can't get excited about being back in the mountains and forest.....the high school track sounds like a good place to go.

[Jack Tarlin]

Wow, in my experience, most hikers I know LOVE Vermont. And what a shock
it must have been to belatedly discover that a state whose name in French means "Green Mountain" and whose nickname is the "Green Mountain State" is full of trees. Live and learn......

But to get back to the OP's question, I don't have a least favorite A.T. State. I think they're all great, tho I might hike them in different seasons than I've done in the past. Meaning Pennsylvania? Not so awful as people say. Hike Pennsylvania in July again? Probably not.

[woodsy]

Maine, worst state ever, up/down...up/down...mud, mud, roots and more roots. Oh, and rocks....granite type.

[gravityman]

I think it all comes down to state of mind when you are hiking. We found the northern long trail to be miserable with few views and incredible steep hiking with few rewards (top of mountain with a sign and long trees all around to see). On our AT thru we found the worst to be the rain and the bugs. These seemed to be state independent, but rather seasonally variable...

[Torch09]

Put me down as a PA hater. Sure, any day on the trail is better than any day at work, but i've never been injured while hiking until i twisted my ankle on those sole/soul destorying rocks. Vermont has some of the most extensive bog bridging, if i recall correctly. Maybe PA could take the hint and build a walkway over the rocks? haha

[Toolshed]

If you don't like trees, why do you hike? ....

That seems somewhat simplistic, but over trees, I prefer vistas, balds, summits and broad treeless peaks (except for Krumholz).

[Toolshed]

I think it all comes down to state of mind when you are hiking....

Nicely done!!

[jersey joe]

Least favorite states in order...
1) PA
2) Connecticut
3) Massachussetts
4) Maryland
5) New York
6) Vermont
7) Tennessee
8) Georgia
9) North Carolina
10) West Virginia
11) Maine
12) New Jersey
13) Virginia
14) New Hampshire
It should be noted, there are no states where I wouldn't ever hike again.

[Tilly]

Least favorite states in order...
1) PA
2) Connecticut
3) Massachussetts
4) Maryland
5) New York
6) Vermont
7) Tennessee
8) Georgia
9) North Carolina
10) West Virginia
11) Maine
12) New Jersey
13) Virginia
14) New Hampshire
It should be noted, there are no states where I wouldn't ever hike again.

That's funny. I has a wonderful hike through NY, CT, Mass. and Maryland. Really loved those sections.

[Tilly]

Although admittedly I don't think I would ever rehike the Duncannon-Del Water Gap section. Has some highlights and views, but there is better hiking elsewhere.