Point A to Point B, not Point A to Point A again!
April 6, 2011 3:14 PM Subscribe
Hiking the Maine/NH Appalachian Trail for 5 days: need help with logistics
I have some free time in mid-May, and I'd like to go hiking on the AT in Maine and New Hampshire (ideally the Grafton Notch and Presidential Range). It looks like all of my friends are busy, so I'll be on my own. I don't have any books or good sources on that part of the trail, so suggestions for books / websites with distances, shelters, etc are welcome.
But the logistical challenge and question is: I would like to start at Point A and hike to Point B, not hike in and out at the same places. Since I'll be alone and don't have friends in that area, it's not like I can leave a car at the end of the journey and have a friend drive me to the start. Is there any other way to get to to/from an AT trailhead? Any ideas that would allow me to start in one place and end in another place (instead of hiking out the way I came in) would be helpful.
I have some free time in mid-May, and I'd like to go hiking on the AT in Maine and New Hampshire (ideally the Grafton Notch and Presidential Range). It looks like all of my friends are busy, so I'll be on my own. I don't have any books or good sources on that part of the trail, so suggestions for books / websites with distances, shelters, etc are welcome.
But the logistical challenge and question is: I would like to start at Point A and hike to Point B, not hike in and out at the same places. Since I'll be alone and don't have friends in that area, it's not like I can leave a car at the end of the journey and have a friend drive me to the start. Is there any other way to get to to/from an AT trailhead? Any ideas that would allow me to start in one place and end in another place (instead of hiking out the way I came in) would be helpful.
The AMC Hiker Shuttle doesn't start until June, but I would suggest you do what mbatch said. Plenty of people are hiker-friendly in those parts.
Also, if you get to talking to anyone on the hike, casually mention that you could use a ride back to your car. I've offered to give rides to plenty of AT hikers, and I've been offered rides myself.
I have to run out, but I may write more later, or feel free to memail me.
posted by bondcliff at 4:48 PM on April 6, 2011
Also, if you get to talking to anyone on the hike, casually mention that you could use a ride back to your car. I've offered to give rides to plenty of AT hikers, and I've been offered rides myself.
I have to run out, but I may write more later, or feel free to memail me.
posted by bondcliff at 4:48 PM on April 6, 2011
Hitch. I hiked a chunk of the AT last summer and I was amazed at how easy it was to hitch a ride. nb. it may be harder to do so as a solo male traveller - you might want to try and hook up with some other people on the trail (this is pretty easy to do) and hitch as a 2-3 person group.
Echoing bondcliff, I had casual conversations that turned into rides on the trail. Almost everyone I met on the trail was very friendly and happy to share tips and leads on food, shelters, gear, rides, etc.
posted by iona at 5:06 PM on April 6, 2011
Echoing bondcliff, I had casual conversations that turned into rides on the trail. Almost everyone I met on the trail was very friendly and happy to share tips and leads on food, shelters, gear, rides, etc.
posted by iona at 5:06 PM on April 6, 2011
May want to see who you might know in the area. I'm about 25 minutes from Hanover and I'd be happy to come fetch you if it wasn't a day I was working.
posted by jessamyn at 9:27 PM on April 6, 2011
posted by jessamyn at 9:27 PM on April 6, 2011
I know this wasn't part of your question, but you did mention you didn't have any guidebooks for the area, so I think I should mention this:
Mid-May in that area, particularly the Presidential range can be a very bad time to hike, especially alone. Snow still exists up high, mud is everywhere, and stream crossings can be very, very dangerous due to all the melting snow. This has been a big snow year.
It can be done, and it can be beautiful, but if you're not experienced in the area I just thought I'd throw that out there.
Pick up the AMC White Mountain guide if you haven't already. It has all the maps and trail information you'll need.
Some, but not all, of the AMC huts are open that time of year on a self-serve/caretaker basis, as opposed to the full service they have most of the summer. There are plenty of tent sites and shelters along the route. I don't think Lakes of the Clouds or Madison (the two huts along the AT in the Northern Prezis) are open that early. See here.
One option are the Randolph Mountain Club shelters. Grey Knob is on the side of Mt. Adams and runs on a first come / first serve basis. These aren't right on the AT (the AT goes right past Lake of the Clouds front door) so you'll need to make a side trip.
As for rides, you may want to leave your car at the end of the hike and deal with getting a ride to your starting point. That way you don't have to worry about finding a ride when you come out tired and hungry, or after dark. The problem with this is if you decide to turn back (because you can't cross a stream or get passed some snow, for instance), you'll have to get back to your car.
Good luck and be safe. Brake for moose! Trust me on this one.
posted by bondcliff at 8:08 AM on April 7, 2011
Mid-May in that area, particularly the Presidential range can be a very bad time to hike, especially alone. Snow still exists up high, mud is everywhere, and stream crossings can be very, very dangerous due to all the melting snow. This has been a big snow year.
It can be done, and it can be beautiful, but if you're not experienced in the area I just thought I'd throw that out there.
Pick up the AMC White Mountain guide if you haven't already. It has all the maps and trail information you'll need.
Some, but not all, of the AMC huts are open that time of year on a self-serve/caretaker basis, as opposed to the full service they have most of the summer. There are plenty of tent sites and shelters along the route. I don't think Lakes of the Clouds or Madison (the two huts along the AT in the Northern Prezis) are open that early. See here.
One option are the Randolph Mountain Club shelters. Grey Knob is on the side of Mt. Adams and runs on a first come / first serve basis. These aren't right on the AT (the AT goes right past Lake of the Clouds front door) so you'll need to make a side trip.
As for rides, you may want to leave your car at the end of the hike and deal with getting a ride to your starting point. That way you don't have to worry about finding a ride when you come out tired and hungry, or after dark. The problem with this is if you decide to turn back (because you can't cross a stream or get passed some snow, for instance), you'll have to get back to your car.
Good luck and be safe. Brake for moose! Trust me on this one.
posted by bondcliff at 8:08 AM on April 7, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Off the cuff alternative: you could carry a cell phone and have a ride set up ahead of time (though there is very little up in the Grafton Notch area - probably even cell coverage) -- maybe offer some money on craigslist and find some high school kid to get you where you need to go?
posted by mbatch at 3:59 PM on April 6, 2011