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

[orangebug74 at yahoo.com (Orange Bug)]

Tom of Washington has gotten the section hiking bug
(the best way to go) and inquires: "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??
"

Not too many bugs is a personal thing. If you wait to
walk until there are flowers, there will be bugs. This
why God invented clothing and DEET.

If you are looking for rhododendrons, mountain
laurels, flame azaleas, triliums and other bloomers
specifically, late April and most of May is the time
to walk. Snow and ice risks are largely gone in NoGA,
although a frost might still occur. You will get a
fair share of wind, rain and sun. Unless you are
walking during a 5-6 year drought, water shouldn't be
a huge problem. Late May is great for fields of ferns
and the shade of the trees.

But let me warn you about the PUDS of NoGA and NC.
Until you hit the Smokies and the general ridge walk
after the climb from Fontana, you will be going up and
down continuously. You will gain trail legs gradually,
which aren't all that easy to train into outside the
trail. We are the Stairmaster from Hell.

I wouldn't wish to tell you to abandon hope of a 30
day walk to Damascus, but I'd be prepared to get a
flight from Knoxville or the Tricities to connect to
your return to Washington. A 30 day push might get the
miles, but you would miss much of the trail and
culture that occurs with the occasional rest day. I'd
plan on a walk to Erwin within that time frame, saving
then next section for a month to Waynesboro, VA,
(Charlottesville airport) or 6-8 weeks to Harper's
Ferry and Dulles.  

Welcome to the dream.

Bill...