[at-l] Best Time to Section Hike from Springer Mt.

[trailwalker56 at msn.com (Trail Walker)]

Hi. My name is Tom and I live in Washington state. I hope to start section hiking the AT with a month long hike next spring and I have a question for anyone familiar with the southern Appalachians. Would anyone be able to suggest the best four weeks to start hiking north from Springer Mountain?

Ideally, the time would have daytime temperatures in the 50 to 70 degree range; trees, rhododendron, and forest flowers in bloom; not too many bugs; good water flow in the streams; and not too much rain. Am I asking too much?? I'll compromise some on the rain (after all, I live in Washington). I know things are seldom that perfect but anything close would be good. 

I'd like to finish as close as possible to Damascus, VA so that I could time my second section hike the following year to start during Trail Days. I read a number of trail journals and only found one person that made it all the way to Damascus in four weeks, so I doubt that I would either. I usually hike at a moderate pace to enjoy the sights along the way but could try for longer days to get some mileage in as long as it doesn't destroy my knees. My priority will still be to enjoy the trip, not make it to a destination by a certain date. A special thank you to all that post their trail journals. They are very enjoyable to read and a great source of information for those of us following in your footsteps.

I wish I was able to thru-hike the trail but it's just not practical for me to take off for six months at this time.  I envy all of you that have that opportunity, and hope that I will some day. By the time I'm done section hiking the AT maybe I'll be able to thru-hike the PCT. A section hike may not have all the adventure of a thru-hike but there can be some advantages, such as keeping your current job, health insurance, etc.; being able to pick the season; simpler logistics for supplies (if post offices will hold packages for a few weeks they could be mailed the day you leave); and no real destination to get to before stopping (just pick up where you left off the year before).

Good luck to the class of 2004. Enjoy your journey!