My turn to start the hiking plan thread for this year again!
Last year I was able to convince my wife it was a good idea for me to take a week to hike the Grand Canyon in late April/early May.
Since I did not die on that trip, this year, I'm thinking I should be able to plan a hike for July or early August.
I'm thinking either 100 mile wilderness or Isle Royale NP.
I've been to IR 35 years ago, but only for day hiking (we stayed at the lodge).
About 12 years ago I drove through ME en route to Quebec, staying one night at a B&B on the coast - no hiking.
The logistics of planning IR are easy. I would drive to Houghton and take the float plane RT from there. Other than the flight, no advance reservations are necessary.
As for 100 mile wilderness, that will take more planning. Since lots of permits are needed for BSP, I'm thinking it would be easier to start there and hike south. Also, I would like to hike the knife edge as I remember when I was a kid, my dad backpacked BSP, including the knife edge. I thought it sounded amazing so I've always wanted to do that too. To include that in the trip, it looks like I would need a permit at Chimney Pond for the first night, and then do a traverse of Katahdin the next day. Would a permit for a second night Katahdin Stream or Daicey Pond also be necessary or is it reasonable to get to Abol Bridge on day two? I believe it is more traditional to hike up and down the Hunt trail on one day, get a permit for the first night at Katahdin Stream, and hike out on the next day. I'm a little confused about the BSP rules. As a SOBO AT hiker, it this the process I would have to follow? Also it says all AT hikers must get a permit in person at the Katahdin Stream ranger station before summiting, but how would one do that if doing a N to S traverse from Chimney Pond? Are there other options? Also, I would probably want to arrange a food drop (or two?). I see that Shaw's in Monson can do that. I'm wondering how many days should I plan on for the Abol Bridge to Monson section? Does Shaw's require reservations too?
Tips appreciated.
Last year I was able to convince my wife it was a good idea for me to take a week to hike the Grand Canyon in late April/early May.
Since I did not die on that trip, this year, I'm thinking I should be able to plan a hike for July or early August.
I'm thinking either 100 mile wilderness or Isle Royale NP.
I've been to IR 35 years ago, but only for day hiking (we stayed at the lodge).
About 12 years ago I drove through ME en route to Quebec, staying one night at a B&B on the coast - no hiking.
The logistics of planning IR are easy. I would drive to Houghton and take the float plane RT from there. Other than the flight, no advance reservations are necessary.
As for 100 mile wilderness, that will take more planning. Since lots of permits are needed for BSP, I'm thinking it would be easier to start there and hike south. Also, I would like to hike the knife edge as I remember when I was a kid, my dad backpacked BSP, including the knife edge. I thought it sounded amazing so I've always wanted to do that too. To include that in the trip, it looks like I would need a permit at Chimney Pond for the first night, and then do a traverse of Katahdin the next day. Would a permit for a second night Katahdin Stream or Daicey Pond also be necessary or is it reasonable to get to Abol Bridge on day two? I believe it is more traditional to hike up and down the Hunt trail on one day, get a permit for the first night at Katahdin Stream, and hike out on the next day. I'm a little confused about the BSP rules. As a SOBO AT hiker, it this the process I would have to follow? Also it says all AT hikers must get a permit in person at the Katahdin Stream ranger station before summiting, but how would one do that if doing a N to S traverse from Chimney Pond? Are there other options? Also, I would probably want to arrange a food drop (or two?). I see that Shaw's in Monson can do that. I'm wondering how many days should I plan on for the Abol Bridge to Monson section? Does Shaw's require reservations too?
Tips appreciated.