OT: Hiking/AT Question

[irishflu]

Hikers of TKR,

I'm planning an overnight hiking trip with my 19 year old daughter, who is less a hiker than me but wants to try an overnight trip. I'm looking for camping locations along the Appalachian Trail, but see very few. I see one near Sunfish Pond at the DWG, a hike that I've done a few times and think my daughter can manage. Any other suggestions for campsites along the AT? Or, any other hiking trail in the State, for that matter? I'd like to keep the two-day hike at about 16 miles total and can manage either a loop or linear hike. A primitive site would be fine; we plan on sleeping in hammocks or on the ground. Thanks in advance.

 

[RUinPinehurst]

Hikers of TKR,

I'm planning an overnight hiking trip with my 19 year old daughter, who is less a hiker than me but wants to try an overnight trip. I'm looking for camping locations along the Appalachian Trail, but see very few. I see one near Sunfish Pond at the DWG, a hike that I've done a few times and think my daughter can manage. Any other suggestions for campsites along the AT? Or, any other hiking trail in the State, for that matter? I'd like to keep the two-day hike at about 16 miles total and can manage either a loop or linear hike. A primitive site would be fine; we plan on sleeping in hammocks or on the ground. Thanks in advance.

Buy the portion of the FarOut app that covers the NJ section of the AT. The app shows you details of every step, including resources and comments by recent hikers. There are shelters every 10 or so miles, with tent spaces. And many other tenting sites along the route. The benefits of tenting at/near a shelter: there's a water source, a privy, and often a "bear box" to store your food and scented items.

My old RU buds and I hiked the NJ AT a few years ago. It's a surprisingly pretty section of the AT, some 85 miles or so, as I recall.

As a group we've also hiked the AT in NY and CT. This October it'll be MA.

 

[irishflu]

Buy the portion of the FarOut app that covers the NJ section of the AT. The app shows you details of every step, including resources and comments by recent hikers. There are shelters every 10 or so miles, with tent spaces. And many other tenting sites along the route. The benefits of tenting at/near a shelter: there's a water source, a privy, and often a "bear box" to store your food and scented items.

My old RU buds and I hiked the NJ AT a few years ago. It's a surprisingly pretty section of the AT, some 85 miles or so, as I recall.

As a group we've also hiked the AT in NY and CT. This October it'll be MA.

Great advice. Thank you!

 

[yesrutgers01]

Buy the portion of the FarOut app that covers the NJ section of the AT. The app shows you details of every step, including resources and comments by recent hikers. There are shelters every 10 or so miles, with tent spaces. And many other tenting sites along the route. The benefits of tenting at/near a shelter: there's a water source, a privy, and often a "bear box" to store your food and scented items.

My old RU buds and I hiked the NJ AT a few years ago. It's a surprisingly pretty section of the AT, some 85 miles or so, as I recall.

As a group we've also hiked the AT in NY and CT. This October it'll be MA.

Dude- great advice and why these OT's are great on this board

 

[Knight Shift]

Buy the portion of the FarOut app that covers the NJ section of the AT. The app shows you details of every step, including resources and comments by recent hikers. There are shelters every 10 or so miles, with tent spaces. And many other tenting sites along the route. The benefits of tenting at/near a shelter: there's a water source, a privy, and often a "bear box" to store your food and scented items.

My old RU buds and I hiked the NJ AT a few years ago. It's a surprisingly pretty section of the AT, some 85 miles or so, as I recall.

As a group we've also hiked the AT in NY and CT. This October it'll be MA.

That did not take long, and as I read the OP, my first post was that YOU are the best one to answer the questions.

 

[RUinPinehurst]

That did not take long, and as I read the OP, my first post was that YOU are the best one to answer the questions.

Fyi.... One of my old RU roomies lives at Culver's Lake right near the AT. This past Sunday, he and a couple neighbors (members of the Culver's Lake Hiking Club) held a "Trail Magic" event at an AT trailhead near the gap. They provided burgers, dogs, chips, cookies, fresh fruit, drinks, etc. and hosted 50-some hikers. They had a blast and will do this again every summer.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

You can download google earth pro and then the files here.. https://guymott.com/atgps.html to get a plot of the AT on google maps along with comments on the shelters

 

[WhoRU?]

The Watergap is a tough part of the trail. Another section that I like is near Bear Mountain on the CT/Mass border (it's a bit more of a ride). Just north of the peak there is a nice shelter near a lake. If you want the peak, you can start in CT and go north. If you are looking for flat, it's not too bad in Mass. The sections in NY and CT are both nice and not too far.

 

[WhoRU?]

Fyi.... One of my old RU roomies lives at Culver's Lake right near the AT. This past Sunday, he and a couple neighbors (members of the Culver's Lake Hiking Club) held a "Trail Magic" event at an AT trailhead near the gap. They provided burgers, dogs, chips, cookies, fresh fruit, drinks, etc. and hosted 50-some hikers. They had a blast and will do this again every summer.

I've experienced trail magic in VT. Barbeque and ice cream. Completely unexpected and amazing!

 

[RUinPinehurst]

I've experienced trail magic in VT. Barbeque and ice cream. Completely unexpected and amazing!

I did some miles in VT this June. Met a "Trail Angel" around Clarendon Gorge by the name of "Spineless Cougar." He had quite an impressive setup that morning featuring blueberry pancakes with maple syrup, coffee, OJ, and a fully stocked resupply table with everything from freeze-dried meals to fuel canisters. Generous and thoughtful.

 

[WhoRU?]

I was in the same area (I had to look it up, it was a few years back)! The bridge over the gorge is very cool. We also hiked past a thru-hiker party near pico just before the long trail and AT split. I think they had been planning it for weeks. A large group of NoBos timed their off days to be there at the same time. It was pretty crazy.

 

[RUforester72]

Hikers of TKR,

I'm planning an overnight hiking trip with my 19 year old daughter, who is less a hiker than me but wants to try an overnight trip. I'm looking for camping locations along the Appalachian Trail, but see very few. I see one near Sunfish Pond at the DWG, a hike that I've done a few times and think my daughter can manage. Any other suggestions for campsites along the AT? Or, any other hiking trail in the State, for that matter? I'd like to keep the two-day hike at about 16 miles total and can manage either a loop or linear hike. A primitive site would be fine; we plan on sleeping in hammocks or on the ground. Thanks in advance.

Good for you Dad!

 

[RUinPinehurst]

Hikers of TKR,

I'm planning an overnight hiking trip with my 19 year old daughter, who is less a hiker than me but wants to try an overnight trip. I'm looking for camping locations along the Appalachian Trail, but see very few. I see one near Sunfish Pond at the DWG, a hike that I've done a few times and think my daughter can manage. Any other suggestions for campsites along the AT? Or, any other hiking trail in the State, for that matter? I'd like to keep the two-day hike at about 16 miles total and can manage either a loop or linear hike. A primitive site would be fine; we plan on sleeping in hammocks or on the ground. Thanks in advance.

One other important item: treat your pack, your outer layer of clothing (shirt, mid-layer, pants, socks), and shoes with Permethrin to keep NJ's ticks off you and your daughter. I also treat the inner-portion of my tent. And filter or chemically treat all water.

 

[newell138]

Fyi.... One of my old RU roomies lives at Culver's Lake right near the AT. This past Sunday, he and a couple neighbors (members of the Culver's Lake Hiking Club) held a "Trail Magic" event at an AT trailhead near the gap. They provided burgers, dogs, chips, cookies, fresh fruit, drinks, etc. and hosted 50-some hikers. They had a blast and will do this again every summer.

That’s very popular on the Pacific Crest trail. Trail angels feed people along the way

 

[Jumba72]

Hikers of TKR,

I'm planning an overnight hiking trip with my 19 year old daughter, who is less a hiker than me but wants to try an overnight trip. I'm looking for camping locations along the Appalachian Trail, but see very few. I see one near Sunfish Pond at the DWG, a hike that I've done a few times and think my daughter can manage. Any other suggestions for campsites along the AT? Or, any other hiking trail in the State, for that matter? I'd like to keep the two-day hike at about 16 miles total and can manage either a loop or linear hike. A primitive site would be fine; we plan on sleeping in hammocks or on the ground. Thanks in advance.

 

[NightKnight]

Anyone else think it's weird that you can pitch a tent in downtown LA for months on end but if you camp for a night in the wood along the App Trail (Yellowstone or any other national park) you can get fined and moved off?

 

[fsg2_rivals]

Anyone else think it's weird that you can pitch a tent in downtown LA for months on end but if you camp for a night in the wood along the App Trail (Yellowstone or any other national park) you can get fined and moved off?

No. Downtown LA is a dump. National parks are beautiful protected land.

Besides, there are plenty of places to pitch a tent for free inside and just outside national parks.

 

[RUinPinehurst]

Anyone else think it's weird that you can pitch a tent in downtown LA for months on end but if you camp for a night in the wood along the App Trail (Yellowstone or any other national park) you can get fined and moved off?

Never heard of a hiker getting fined for tenting along the AT, which is designated as a National Scenic Trail, for foot traffic only. Any details re: your statement, at least as far as the AT is concerned?

FYI... on the AT there are designated tenting sites near official shelters. You can tent there, and follow the principles of "Leave No Trace" (LNT). Also there are many official and unofficial tenting areas scattered along any stretch of the trail. LNT suggests you use an established site vs breaking ground/clearing an as yet undisturbed setting.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy in coordination with the US Forestry Service and other Federal and state entities as well as trail maintenance groups may restrict tenting in certain areas to allow those areas to recover from overuse. There also may be other restrictions in sensitive areas like govt and communications installations etc. But these are clearly marked. I've heard of warnings being issued on occasion but no one being fined.

Lastly, certain shelters that are highly accessible (near roads) can be occupied at times by non-hikers, usually locals wanting a partying place. Some of those instances may result in law enforcement interventions. Even a shelter being closed/razed or relocated.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

Consider Harriman/Bear Mountain just over the NY State/NJ border.

Also, I have nothing against the AT. But if you are just doing an overnight there is nothing special about the AT. There are many other trails and places you might consider.

 

[fsg2_rivals]

Anyone else think it's weird that you can pitch a tent in downtown LA for months on end but if you camp for a night in the wood along the App Trail (Yellowstone or any other national park) you can get fined and moved off?

This was a fake news meme you lifted off X, wasn't it?