Best section for week long October hike
My boyfriend and I are planning on heading out to the AT for a section hike in early/mid October. The question is...where to go! We'll be traveling via car from South-central Wisconsin. Here's our criteria:
1. We're looking for somewhere around 75-100 miles/5-6 days. 15mpd sounds about right.
2. I'm a wuss and I don't want to be cold on my vacation. So I'm ruling out the New England area for that reason. Plus it would be a longer drive than the Southern part.
3. Some sort of varied terrain would be nice, not just hiking through the green tunnel. Obviously pretty vistas, etc, are good. I know the green tunnel can't be avoided, but we don't want to be entirely closed in the woods for the whole time.
4. Solitude on the AT is probably a laugh, but less people is always better. We'll be hiking Sunday-Friday, so I'm hoping with it being during the week, that will help with wherever we are.
I've never been on the AT, but I've read a zillion trail journals over the years to have some ideas. Right now my tentative idea is to drive to Damascus, VA, take a shuttle out to Atkins, and hike back to Damascus. That's about 75 miles and will include Grayson Highlands and ponies. I also thought about doing the whole Georgia section. Any other ideas or thoughts to sway me one way or the other? Definitely open to hearing about other sections too.
Best section for week long October hike
Some other ideas that I haven't seen mentioned:
- Start at Springer and knockout all of Georgia.
- Deep Gap NC north to Fontana. A lot of variation and three of the southern balds.