15 Miles/Day

Download Excel File: 2012 PlanNobo15.xlsx

NOBO plan @15 miles per day                        (last update 2/6/2010) theATguide.com
Re- Elevation Avg Tot.
Day Mi. Destination Comments supply gain loss  mi/day  mi.
1 7.8 Hawk Mtn Shelter 1181 1763 7.8 7.8
2 8.7 Gooch Gap Tenting 2266 2682 8.3 16.5
3 14.2 Neels Gap Mountain Crossings.  Hostel, meals, resupply shower.  Send home what you don’t need. 2 3762 3421 10.2 30.7
4 10.8 Low Gap Shelter 2814 2889 10.4 41.5
5 15.0 Tray Mtn Shelter 4669 3519 11.3 56.5
6 11.0 Hiawassee Hitch to town from Dick’s Creek Gap or two hostel choices 2 2436 3961 11.3 67.5
7 11.8 Muskrat Creek Shelter Tough climb up from Dick’s Creek Gap; enter North Carolina 4079 2154 11.3 79.3
8 12.5 Carter Gap Shelters 2606 2666 11.5 91.8
9 15.9 Franklin, NC Via Winding Stair Gap.  Albert Mtn 6.2 miles into the day. 2 3085 3775 12.0 107.7
10 11.0 Wayah Shelter 3147 2187 11.9 118.7
11 10.6 Wesser Bald Shelter Alternate:  Hike 5.7 more miles to NOC 2361 3056 11.8 129.3
12 12.6 Sassafrass Gap Shelter Stop at NOC for lunch and resupply. 1 3449 3234 11.8 141.9
13 15.2 Cable Gap Shelter 3271 4721 12.1 157.1
14 6.6 Fontana Dam Shelter Alternates:  Stay at Fontana Village (call for ride from AT Crossing reception center) or Hike Inn (call for ride from Visitor’s Center).  Otherwise hitch to Fontana Village for resupply.  Fill out park permit. 4 1344 2449 11.7 163.7
15 13.8 Russell Field Shelter Long Climb up from Dam 4805 2220 11.8 177.5
16 14.7 Silers Bald Shelter 4248 3148 12.0 192.2 Smoky Mtns
17 15.5 Icewater Spring Shelter Alternate: Hitch to Gatlinburg from Newfound Gap at 12.5 mi. 3517 3057 12.2 207.7
18 12.6 Tricorner Knob Shelter 3012 3012 12.2 220.3
19 18.1 Standing Bear Hstl Minimal supplies avail; use maildrop 1 2585 6705 12.5 238.4
20 15.4 Roaring Fork Shelter 5196 3046 12.7 253.8
21 18.0 Hot Springs, NC PO, Outfitter, grocery.  Elmer’s Hostel or Duckett House 3 3100 5724 12.9 271.8
22 11.0 Spring Mtn Shelter 3636 1662 12.9 282.8
23 15.4 Jerry Cabin Shelter 4040 3190 13.0 298.2
24 14.7 Hogback Ridge Shelter 3568 3463 13.0 312.9
25 10.1 Bald Mtn. Shelter 2650 1805 12.9 323.0
26 16.9 Erwin, TN Uncle Johnny’s, or one of many in-town lodging choices 2 2503 5903 13.1 339.9
27 16.6 Cherry Gap Shelter 4996 2634 13.2 356.5
28 16.0 Roan High Shelter Highest Shelter on AT 5485 3272 13.3 372.5
29 15.9 Mtn Harbor Hostel Resupply in Roan Mtn 1 2487 5867 13.4 388.4
30 12.6 Tenting Near Laurel Fork 2688 2293 13.4 401.0
31 20.7 Hampton, TN Braemar Hostel or Iron Mtn Inn.  Alternate:  Watuaga Lake Shelter 1.8 mi further 2 3355 4655 13.6 421.7
32 15.7 Iron Mtn Shelter 3993 1858 13.7 437.4
33 15.9 Abingdon Gap Shelter 2810 3155 13.7 453.3
34 10.2 Damascas VA PO, grocery, outfitter, hostels 4 908 2760 13.6 463.5
35 15.8 Lost Mtn Shelter 3835 2363 13.7 479.3
36 12.2 Thomas Knob Shelter High and exposed shelter – be prepared for cold 3474 1474 13.7 491.5 Grayson Highlands
37 11.0 Old Orchard Shelter Take your time on this scenic stretch of trail. 1409 2759 13.6 502.5
38 14.1 Trimpi Shelter Or church hostel in Troutdale 4.1 mi earlier. 2261 3411 13.6 516.6
39 10.6 Partnership Shelter Showers-Pizza Hut Delivery-Phone 1886 1530 13.5 527.2
40 11.6 Atkins VA Relax Inn (where the Trail crosses US11), or hitch to Comfort Inn 5 1911 2747 13.5 538.8
41 14.0 Knot Maul Shelter 3169 2709 13.5 552.8
42 16.0 Davis Farm Campsite 3698 2978 13.5 568.8
43 17.0 Helvey’s Mill Shelter 3041 3551 13.6 585.8
44 18.2 Camp – Dismal Falls Campsites on side trail to falls.  Be aware that there is road access from far side of Dismal Creek; weekends draw visitors.  Alternates: campsites near Kimberling Creek (16.2 mi) or at Trent’s Grocery (16.3 mi). 2770 3765 13.7 604.0
45 12.0 Woods Hole Hostel Alternate:  Doc’s Knob Shelter 2.2 mi further 2352 1065 13.7 616.0
46 10.4 Pearisburg VA Rendezvous Motel near trail 5 2080 3262 13.6 626.4
47 19.3 Pine Swamp Branch Shelter Hard to avoid this hard day; long resupply stretch here. 3801 3471 13.7 645.7
48 12.7 War Spur Shelter 2364 2554 13.7 658.4
49 12.2 Sarver Hollow Shelter Climb at end of the day 3254 2194 13.7 670.6
50 16.1 Pickle Branch Shelter 2746 4301 13.7 686.7
51 17.0 Campbell Shelter Just past McAfee Knob 3882 3147 13.8 703.7
52 15.4 Daleville VA Nice morning view from Tinker Cliffs or backtrack to McAfee.  Daleville has estaurants, grocery, outfitter, hotels…everything except hostel. 2 2428 3708 13.8 719.1
53 18.5 Bobblets Gap Shelter 4161 3541 13.9 737.6
54 18.4 Cornelius Creek Shelter 4845 3620 14.0 756.0
55 19.9 Glasgow, VA Pavillion tenting. 4 4025 6435 14.1 775.9
56 20.0 Brown Mtn Creek Shltr Near Pedlar Village site 5066 4406 14.2 795.9
57 15.8 Steely-Woodworth Shelter 4825 2450 14.2 811.7
58 20.6 Maupin Field Shelter 5618 6668 14.4 832.3
59 20.8 Waynesboro, VA Get ride from Rockfish Gap visitor’s center.
Mail home winter gear?  Resuppy minimally because food readily available in SNP.
1 3195 4013 14.5 853.1
60 20.0 Black Rock Hut Get backcountry permit as you leave skyline drive.  Camping is permitted in SNP, but nearly impractical because you are not supposed to tent within sight of buildings (waysides), shelters, roads or the trail (how does one find a campsite that you can’t see from the trail?) 4682 3939 14.6 873.1 Shenandoah NP
61 13.2 Pinefield Hut Loft Mountain Campground (7mi into day) for food 2489 2704 14.5 886.3
62 20.6 Bearfence Mtn Hut Stop by Lewis Campstore for food just before reaching shelter 4675 3995 14.6 906.9
63 11.5 Rock Spring Hut Big Meadows for meals & supplies 2170 1815 14.6 918.4
64 14.0 Luray, VA Town with everything but a hostel.
Resupply a day light & make it up a Elkwallow wayside.
2 2628 3786 14.6 932.4
65 14.4 Gravel Springs Hut Elkwallow Wayside 8.6 mi for lunch 2822 2649 14.6 946.8
66 18.6 Jim & Molly Denton Shelter Alternate:  Go into Front Royal 5 mi earlier 3249 4419 14.6 965.4
67 18.4 Rod Hollow Shelter 3421 3891 14.7 983.8
68 17.8 Blackburn Center “Roller Coaster” early in the day 4803 3993 14.7 1001.6
69 12.4 Harpers Ferry WV This mileage is to Shenandoah St.  Town’s Inn and other lodging choices.  Another hostel 1.5 north of town. 3 1128 2508 14.7 1014.0
70 17.3 Dahlgren BP Area Shower. Restaurant nearby. 2697 1977 14.7 1031.3
71 13.9 Ensign Cowall Shelter Or Free State Hostel.  North from Pine Knob Shelter is significantly rocky. 2174 1734 14.7 1045.2
72 14.5 Deer Lick Shelters Rocky Trail up until Pen Mar Park (9.6 mi), fairly smooth afterward.  Can call for pizza delivery at Pen Mar Park. 2831 2841 14.7 1059.7
73 15.8 Fayetteville, PA
Quarry Gap Shelters
Eat and resupply, move on 3 miles further to nice shelters.  Alternate: Caledonia Park or lodging in town to the west.  Short resupply because food is available next two days. 1 2578 2543 14.7 1075.5
74 17.3 Ironmaster’s Hostel Pine Grove Furnace – ice cream challenge, more food available 1758 2393 14.8 1092.8
75 19.2 Boiling Springs, PA Camping 0.5mi south of town Labor Day to Memorial Day (porta-privy), or Allenberry Lodge, or check ATC info board: sometimes locals take in hikers or allow yard camping.  Food available at Green Mountain store (8.6 mi) into the day.  No camping for next 14.3 mi. 2649 2969 14.8 1112.0
76 14.3 Darlington Shelter 1384 634 14.8 1126.3
77 11.4 Duncannon, PA Doyle Hotel 3 1291 2181 14.8 1137.7
78 11.2 Peter’s Mtn Shelter 1652 832 14.7 1148.9
79 18.0 Rausch Gap Shelter 1988 2188 14.8 1166.9
80 17.5 501 Shelter 2506 2026 14.8 1184.4
81 23.7 Port Clinton, PA Pavillion tenting.  Short resupply because there are 3 towns in the next 5 days. 2 2039 3099 14.9 1208.1
82 15.2 Eckville Shelter 2538 2338 14.9 1223.3
83 13.3 Tripoli Campsite 2026 1226 14.9 1236.6
84 11.8 Palmerton, PA Former “Jailhouse Hostel” now closed.  Food/supplies available 1176 2196 14.9 1248.4
85 20.4 Wind Gap, PA Climb in Morning; rest of day very level.  Hotel very near trail. 2688 2088 14.9 1268.8
86 15.6 Delaware Water Gap Church Hostel, restaurants, outfitter, supplies 3 1676 2136 14.9 1284.4
87 10.5 Mohican Outdoor Center Bunks or camping.  Meals available but little supplies.  Enjoy short day; scenic trail, Sunfish Pond. 1614 1014 14.9 1294.9
88 20.9 Gren Anderson Shelter 2437 2237 15.0 1315.8
89 13.0 High Point Shelter 1435 1475 14.9 1328.8
90 18.9 Vernon, NJ Church Hostel, restaurants and grocery near hostel 2 1862 2692 15.0 1347.7
91 17.1 Wildcat Shelter Approx 44 miles from Vernon to Bear Mtn, NY are  difficult.  Ice Cream at NY 17, 2.0 mi before shelter. 2472 1742 15.0 1364.8
92 14.3 Fingerboard Shelter 2823 2703 15.0 1379.1
93 14.1 Fort Montgomery, NY 3 2396 3572 15.0 1393.2
94 18.3 Tenting Fahnestock SP 3838 3062 15.0 1411.5
95 16.0 Morgan Stewart Shelter 2681 2296 15.0 1427.5
96 16.5 Wiley Shelter 2151 2696 15.0 1444.0
97 12.4 Mt. Algo Lean-to 0.3mi from road leading into Kent, CT.  Make trip into town in the afternoon or morning for resupply, laundry and  & meals, but lodging is expensive.
Alternate:  Hitch north to Cornwall Bridge and arrange a slackpack from Rte 341 (1455.9)  to Rte 4 (1467.0)  CALL FIRST.  Cornwall Bridge lodging will be expensive on weekends.
1 2596 2681 15.0 1456.4
98 17.3 Pine Swamp Br Shelter Cornwall Bridge, CT 11.4 mi. from Mt. Algo Shelter and 0.9mi from trail is alternative to Kent for resupply. 3346 2926 15.0 1473.7
99 15.7 Salisbury, CT Two hostel-like homes, or White Hart Inn.  Resupply one day short; supplement in Dalton or Chesire. 4 2090 2465 15.0 1489.4
100 14.2 Glen Brook Lean-to Climb Bear Mtn and Mt. Everett, good swimming holes in Sages Ravine 3444 2259 15.0 1503.6
101 19.6 Mt. Wilcox S. Lean-to 3151 3316 15.1 1523.2
102 15.8 Upper Goose Pond 2695 2932 15.1 1539.0
103 17.6 Kay Wood Lean-to 2357 1980 15.1 1556.6
104 16.7 Mark Noepel Lean-to Skip Breakfast, wait till you get to Dalton.  Eat in Chesire, 9.3 mi from Dalton. 3422 2482 15.1 1573.3
105 9.6 Williamstown or
North Adams, MA
Williamstown has more places to stay. 3 1403 3553 15.1 1582.9
106 14.1 Congdon Shelter Enter VT, join Long Trail 2964 1554 15.1 1597.0
107 14.4 Goddard Shelter Steep descent to / climb up from Rte 9 (leads into Bennington) 3698 2218 15.1 1611.4
108 16.3 Stratton Mountain Tent, or continue 3 miles to shelter 3337 2941 15.1 1627.7
109 13.7 Manchester Center, VT 2 1207 3343 15.1 1641.4
110 16.5 Big Branch Shelter Nice, with big brook rumbling out front 2973 3313 15.1 1657.9
111 16.9 Clarendon Shelter 3276 3546 15.1 1674.8
112 16.4 Rutland, VT Bus/hitch into Rutland, or Inn at Long Trail. 2 3582 2892 15.1 1691.2
113 19.9 Winturri Shelter 4380 4360 15.1 1711.1
114 20.4 Happy Hill Shelter Can get food at West Hartford, (16.4 mi).  Some homeowners invite hikers to tent in their yard; check at general store. 3042 3542 15.2 1731.5
115 5.8 Hanover, NH Short hiking day – much to explore in town.  Check DOC for lodging options, or continue 6.1 mi to Etna, NH (Tigger’s Tree House).  Resupply short 1 day to be made up at Glencliff.
* GET WINTER GEAR *
2 322 1191 15.1 1737.3
116 16.7 Trapper John Shelter 3856 3042 15.1 1754.0
117 12.0 Hexacuba Shelter 3309 2674 15.1 1766.0
118 14.6 Glencliff, NH Hikers Welcome Hostel, post office. 3290 4130 15.1 1780.6
119 9.5 North Woodstock,
NH
Via Kinsman Notch.  Many lodging options here and in adjacent town of Lincoln.  Short resuppy in expectation of meals at huts.  If hut stays do not pan out, pick up more supplies at Crawford Notch or on Mt. Washington. 2 4076 3404 15.0 1790.1 White Mountains
120 11.5 Kinsman Pond Shelter Two alternate plans:
1) Continue 2.1 mi and try for WFS at Lonesome Lake Hut,
2) Continue 4.8 mi to Franconia Notch and hitch back to North Woodstock/Lincoln (arrange slackpack).
4556 2618 15.0 1801.6
121 15.1 Garfield Campsite Tough climb up to Franconia Ridge.  Once up, beautiful open stretch of trail.  Alternate:  Try for WFS at Greenleaf Hut (risk:  steep, mile long side trail & return if no WFS / reward: fewer hikers competing for WFS, 2 days on Franconia Ridge) 5035 5285 15.0 1816.7
122 14.5 Ethan Pond Campsite Stay at Zealand Falls Hut (9.7 mi) if WFS is available.  4 mi. Section from hut to campsite is easy, smooth and level. 2810 3360 15.0 1831.2
123 14.0 Lake of Clouds Hut At Crawford Notch, can hitch down to Willey House for lunch and short-term supplies.  Tough climb back up from Notch. 4789 2739 15.0 1845.2
124 14.9 Gorham, NH By way of Pinkham Notch.  In Gorham:  Barn Hostel/lodging/meals/supplies.  Alternate:  Lodging,  meals, supplies also available at the notch. (WFS Camp Dodge) 4 3343 6293 15.0 1860.1
125 13.1 Imp Campsite Rugged day.  Shelter and many tent sites. 5062 3862 15.0 1873.2
126 14.9 Trident Col Campsite 7 mile “easy” stretch after Mt. Moriah.  Alternate:  Make a short, 8-mi day of it and return to Gorham via Rte 2. 3484 4714 15.0 1888.1
127 14.5 Full Goose Shelter 4069 3059 15.0 1902.6
128 12.0 Baldpate Lean-to Tough day including  Mahoosuc Notch and Arm. 4469 4839 15.0 1914.6
129 8.0 Andover, ME Via East B Road.  A couple of nice hostel choices – section to South Arm road could be slackpacked. 2034 3209 14.9 1922.6
130 10.1 Andover, ME Via South Arm Road.  Alternate:  get supplies on previous day and do short (6mi) or long (18mi) day to shelter before or after road. 3 3259 3334 14.9 1932.7
131 17.0 Sabbath DayPond Lean-to Alternate:  Slackpacks easy to arrange from Andover (East B to South Arm Rd) or Rangeley (Rte 17 to Rte 4) 4803 3823 14.9 1949.7
132 11.2 Piazza Rock Lean-to Alternate:  Rangeley, Me Via Rte 4 (9.4 mi) 1631 1956 14.9 1960.9
133 16.9 Spaulding Mtn Lean-to Climb the Saddleback peaks 5145 4070 14.9 1977.8
134 13.5 Stratton, ME 3 3448 5188 14.9 1991.3
135 15.3 Little Bigelow Lean-to 4463 4103 14.9 2006.6
136 17.3 Pierce Pond Lean-to 2055 2655 14.9 2023.9
137 18.7 Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to Reach Kennebec River (3.7mi) in time for 9-11am ferry.  PO in Caratunk close by if needed. 3054 2914 14.9 2042.6
138 13.0 Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to 1848 2278 14.9 2055.6
139 9.0 Monson, ME  Shaws. 7 1330 985 14.9 2064.6
140 15.1 Long Pond Stream Lean-to Enter 100 mi wilderness 2399 2674 14.9 2079.7 100-Mile Wilderness
141 10.9 Chairback Gap Lean-to 3053 2063 14.8 2090.6
142 9.9 Carl Newhall Lean-to Add 5.2 Gulf Hagas loop trail, a recommended diversion. 1555 1625 14.8 2100.5
143 18.9 Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to First 5.8 mi of day, to top of White Cap Mtn is last significant climb until Katahdin.  View of Katahdin as trail descends the mountain.  Picturesque shelter setting. 3560 4540 14.8 2119.4
144 21.5 Wadleigh Stream Lean-to Alternate: White House Landing (13.8mi) 1294 1489 14.9 2140.9
145 19.6 Hurd Brook Lean-to 2267 2242 14.9 2160.5
146 13.4 The Birches Lean-to Stop at Abol Bridge store (11.2 mi) for food.  A little further along there is a sign-up board for the Birches. 973 613 14.9 2173.9
147 5.2 Katahdin 5.2 More miles to get back down to the Birches, the closest location accessible by car.  If you have a ride arranged (family or friends picking you up?), consider descending north side of Katahdin and having them pick you up at the Roaring Brook Campground, 5.47 mi via Saddle Trail and Chimney Pond Trail or 4.46 on Knife Edge and Helon Taylor Trail. 4374 176 14.8 2179.1
Notes:   Deviation from plan is encouraged!  For and Excel version of this plan, contact Awol.
Day:  Zero days are expected, but omitted from the spreadsheet because there’s no reason to attempt planning them in advance.   Adding 14 zero days would reduce the mi/day average to about 13.5 mi/day.  Shelters are specified far more than any other destination, but this is not meant to promote shelter use.  Most shelter locations also have tent sites.
Comments: Comments apply to the hiking day that ends at “Destination”.
Elev gain/loss:  The sum (in feet) of elevation gain/loss during this segment of trail.  This is a very crude measure of  trail difficulty.
Resupply:  This is the number of days worth of supplies that should be purchased at this location.  The number always assumes that meals (dinner and breakfast at least) will be eaten at the towns where the supplies are obtained.  Sometimes this number is LESS than the number of days until the next resupply; this is usually due to an opportunity to get meals at points in-between.  Food is the heaviest “variable” in your pack, so this plan encourages resupplying often and eating meals when available (if budget permits).