Where should I go for a 3 week hike?

[mishy]

I'd love to go on a longer backpacking trip this summer, probably around 3 weeks though it could be anywhere from 2-4 weeks. I tend to hike at a little bit slower pace than average. I'd like to go in June to early July.

I need some good ideas, maybe for sections of one of the longer trails. I'm moving from the west coast to the east coast this summer, so really it could be anywhere - I could stay on the west coast and get everything moved after my trip or move then hike. Because of the moving I will do, if I hike somewhere on the west coast, I would probably start early to mid June, and if it were on the east coast I would start later in June.

I'm looking for a trip with great views, especially mountainous scenery or alternately, hiking on the coast. It would also be great to be in a really solitary location where I'm not going to really run into many other hikers. I thought maybe a section of the AT, though I'm not as familiar with that as the PCT. I'd love to hike in the sierras on the PCT or the John Muir, but it seems like the permits are pretty much gone, and also that it would be a little crowded. Suggestions?

[AdventureMyk]

You didn't say what part of the east coast you are moving to but pretty much anything on or along the AT trail is going to have the vantage points and such. Welcome to our side of the coast!

[mishy]

I'll be in upstate New York, but willing to go wherever to go hiking. I don't start my new job until the beginning of August so I'd love to take the opportunity to do a longer hike - I haven't had the time to go backpacking for any longer than a week at a time before. Do you have any specific suggestions about what might be a good section to do at that time of the summer to get the best weather and avoid crowds?

[slosteppin]

The north coast would likely be more solitary than east or west. The North Country Trail in northern Michigan runs along Lake Superior, sometimes right along the shore or a hundred feet above, sometimes a bit inland. Another place would be in Minnesota following the Superior Hiking trail along Lake Superior, then the Border Route west along many inland lakes.

[toejam]

Permits in the Sierra Nevada are easy to get and don't need to be reserved if you have a little imagination. For example, you could stroll into a backcountry office on the west side in Kings Canyon or Sequoia at noon on a Saturday get a permit that allows you to wander through Rea Lakes and even climb Mt. Whitney. You can hitchhike into town from a trailhead on the east side for a shower, real food, and resupply, then cross the mountains again to end up where you started. As long as you are flexible enough to avoid trailheads for the JMT or Rae Lakes Loop, you shouldn't have a problem. I don't think there is a better backpacking destination than the high Sierra.

[ogg]

Will you be moving your stuff from west to east coast yourself or will a moving company be doing it for you? Would you be flying east, or driving yourself? This isn't exactly what you were asking for, but if all you have to move from west to east is yourself and a vehicle, why not incorporate some shorter backpack trips and maybe a few dayhikes into your journey east? You could spend a few a days hiking and backpacking in the Sierras, Ruby Crest Trail (NV), San Juans (NM), Uintas (Utah), Ouchita Trail (Oklahoma/Arkansas)....farther east and I don't know and some of those I mentioned I'm just throwing out there and don't know much about them...but the idea is that there's probably numerous opportunities for good 2-5 day backpack trips between the two coasts that it sounds like you might have enough time to sample, assuming it fits into your actual moving plan.

[hikerboy]

the benton mackaye trail runs from springer mtn in ga to davenport gap, 286 miles of trail. 3-4 weeks.

[cthiker]

if you're moving to northern NY, why not take those 3-4 weeks and get a jump on the Adirondack 46er's. there's also the Northville-Placid trail in upstate NY. another suggestion would be to jump over a state eastward and you could do most, if not all, of Vermont's Long Trail in that timeframe.

[Isleroyaleguy]

Hi to all.

New to the forum so I am just going to jump in.

My suggestion would be to head to Wyoming. Hiking possibilities are endless, with plenty of solitude if you want. A lot of places don't require permits, the only thing I can see that would be an issue is that in June you might run into winter like conditions in the high country.

Just a thought.

Cheers

IRG

[ColdMolasses]

Awfully hot would hit the presidential peak trail in NH difficult. I liked Maine as well in late June early July. I live in NC and don't do any long trips in July, August, or early September in state. Last time I did Springer- Franklin water was in short supply.