introduction and some novice NPT questions

[Boreal62]

Hello Everyone,

I have just registered with ADK forums so I am brand new. In fact this is my first post!

I live in Concord, NH. I have thru hiked the Appalachian Trail and hiked throughout New England, especially the White Mountains of New Hampshire where I have done most all of the peaks, but not much yet in the Adirondacks.


I am interested in hiking the Northville Placid Trail, possibly even this year. I already know the basics, about 133 miles, very remote in spots, mostly a low land trail.

As I write this, it is early September 2008. Just how muddy is this trail? I have read horror stories. I also understand that it can be very buggy though presumably the bugs aren't so bad by now.

Could some one give me an un sugar coated assessment of how muddy the trail is now or is likely to be for the next month, what the bug situation is, and the general trail condition. Also how long would you give to hike the trail.. assuming an average non speed hiking pace? I have heard 10 days should do it. Should one allow more time?

I have the latest NPT guidebook already.

Thanks so much,

Boreal62

[sky]

welcome to the forum.

Moose pond -> duck hole is a muddy craptastic mess. you also have to walk over a beaver dam, and a good deal of that part is flagged.

between shattuck clearing and long lake, there are 2 flooded spots. the one closest to shattuck (right before it if you're going s->n) you can walk through if and only if you watch out for the one spot that's over 4 feet deep. it might have gone down a bit by, seeing how monsoon season appears to be over. the second spot is flagged, just look for the blue flags on the left (if you're going s->n). the herd path isn't well marked, but it's obvious.

there is a brigde out between o'neil leanto and the col on blue mountain. it was very very flooded when i did it, but others have said it's an easy jump over the stream (keep in mind, when i was there we had a ton of rain earlier in the month + 1.5 inches overnight)

from last year: spots between spruce lake and the west canadas i recall as being a bit saturated, and it was "dry month". there's also a well flagged reroute in there somewhere, but it was dry and pretty easy to follow.

what's average pace? the crew and i planned for 10 miles a day over 12 days. but, if you can put in 15, you can definitely make it in 10 with a rest day or two in there. i found i could put in 15-20 miles (hiking solo) and still get to camp in time to do my laundry and go swimming.

[Todd Heyn]

Here is a direct link to the trail journal from my August '08 thru-hike. Hopefully you will find it informative.

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=7716

[pato frenzzy]

just wanted to say welcome

[Boreal62]

this leads to another novice question...

Thanks for the kind words and the welcom and info on the trail.

Given that the Northville Placid Trail is upwards of 100 or so years old and that it is the premier trail in the Adirondacks, why are so many parts in such bad shape? Are there not trail volunteers working on this thing? how about the State?

If I go, I would be going solo. Should I be concerned? Is the trail easy to follow?

Boreal62

[Bill I.]

As I write this, it is early September 2008. Just how muddy is this trail? I have read horror stories. I also understand that it can be very buggy though presumably the bugs aren't so bad by now.

Mud: I've done some hiking in the Whites, and the one inescapable conclusion I found was that the Adirondacks are much more moist than the Whites. Thus some portions of the NPT are wet no matter the recent precipitation. This summer, I hiked one portion of the trail as an out-and-back weekend hike. Going in on Saturday, when it was sunny and warm, there was no shortage of muddy stretches. Hiking out on Sunday in a heavy rain, these same muddy stretches were the same. Mud is just a fact of Adirondack life. Eventually you find faith in your Gore-Tex boots and just walk right through it.

Bugs: Theoretically, bug season should have been over weeks ago. However the cool, wet weather this summer has apparently kept them going. Mosquitoes and midges (noseeums) were a nuisance at the Cedar River a couple weeks ago, and this past week I encountered quite a few mosquitoes in certain places. They really shouldn't be out in September at all, though, but what can you do?

[Dick]

Hello Everyone,

I have just registered with ADK forums so I am brand new. In fact this is my first post!

I live in Concord, NH. I have thru hiked the Appalachian Trail and hiked throughout New England, especially the White Mountains of New Hampshire where I have done most all of the peaks, but not much yet in the Adirondacks.


I am interested in hiking the Northville Placid Trail, possibly even this year. I already know the basics, about 133 miles, very remote in spots, mostly a low land trail.

As I write this, it is early September 2008. Just how muddy is this trail? I have read horror stories. I also understand that it can be very buggy though presumably the bugs aren't so bad by now.

Could some one give me an un sugar coated assessment of how muddy the trail is now or is likely to be for the next month, what the bug situation is, and the general trail condition. Also how long would you give to hike the trail.. assuming an average non speed hiking pace? I have heard 10 days should do it. Should one allow more time?

I have the latest NPT guidebook already.

Thanks so much,

Boreal62

My first thruhike was in August 2006. I have also done the trail in sections, some of them in winter, and some areas multiple times. However, I'll leave the most current conditions up to those who have the most recent knowledge of the trail. I'll just add that some areas are notoriously muddy, and probably always will be, even in "dry" years.

I wouldn't worry about bugs at this time of year. In the typical black fly season of the Adirondacks (late May through early July) and mosquitos after that, you'll need protection. In August they settle down, usually. But a head net and a little bug dope won't weigh you down too much!

Our thruhike was 11 nights in a year in which conditions were quite favorable. After 37 years, my wife and I have our own hiking speed (slow-moderate). It works for us, but generally doesn't suit many hikers. What do you want to see? When do you want to start hiking during the day, and when do you want to arrive at camp? Of course, the reality of the trail's length is also a factor, as are supplies.

My feeling is that if you're traveling as a group, you travel as a group. There is an old adage that says to put the slowest person in front, but my experience is that seldom happens. This can be OK IF everyone is experienced enough and willing to accept the risk of traveling alone, and having some arrive at camp hours before others do. This should all be discussed before the hike.

If you're hiking solo, you accept the risk of injury without immediate help. Everyone has their comfort zone.

We found the trail quite easy to follow, with only a few head-scratchers, largely due to beaver activity.

It's a fabulous trail. I hope you enjoy it!

Dick

[Brooks]

There are some muddy parts, yes. And just some plain ol' water parts. I thru hiked the trail solo in 15 days, the first two weeks of August. I could have easily done it in less - 10 probably, maybe even fewer. I suggest using the guidebook AND map - many people only use the map, but there was one beaver pond (can't remember where... 2nd or 3rd day, I think) where the next trail marker was in the middle of it. I re-read the book and realized that there was a trail around it but it was not marked until you were actually ON it, which involved climbing over a fallen tree and through a bunch of growth (it wasn't visible from the trail/pond). This particular beaver pond is more easily navigated if you are heading south from Placid as the trail from that direction is very clear to get to.

I used the National Geographic map instead of the one in the back of the guidebook. I did this in case I had to get off the trail. The NG map will show you roads, other trails, other LTs on side trails, parking areas, etc. Basically just has WAY more info on it - this was important to me since I went by myself.

Mosquitos were bad in early August at a few places (mainly ones where there was standing water), but I'm sure they've been worse. Flies were only an issue at Duck Hole but stayed out of the LT.

Welcome to the forum!