As someone who's hiked all of the AT except Grafton Notch to Mt. K.....and as someone who has developed chondromalcia patellae more recently and has done extensive PT/strengthening/flexibility/use the proper knee braces.............I'm wondering, when (if?) does the AT get less-rugged in Maine?
I've heard everything from Grafton Notch, to Rangeley, to Stratton, to "never, except the last 40 miles". I'm just curious, as that will help me realistically plan my hike/food/pace/etc, and also get me in the right frame of mind before hiking. I used to do 15-mile days as a summer 'chunk' section-hiker, but was doing 6/7 mile days through the Mahoosics last summer, and left with the impression that the rest of Maine would be the same this summer.
What's your take?