12 Miles/Day

DOWNLOAD EXCEL FILE: 2012 PlanNobo12.xlsx

NOBO plan @12 miles per day                         (updated 2/20/2011) theATguide.com
Re- Elevation Avg Tot.
Day Mi. Destination Comments supply gain loss  mi/day  mi.
1 8.1 Hawk Mtn Shelter 1181 1763 8.1 8.1
2 7.7 Gooch Mtn Shelter 2053 2253 7.9 15.8
5.4 Woody Gap Hiker Hostel. As of Feb 2012, bear cannister required between Jarrard and Neel Gaps. 3429 2629 7.1 21.2
4 10.5 Neel Gap Mountain Crossings.  Hostel, meals, resupply shower.  Send home what you don’t need. 3 731 1406 7.9 31.7
5 11.5 Low Gap Shelter 2814 2889 8.6 43.2
6 7.3 Blue Mtn Shelter 2056 1206 8.4 50.5
7 8.1 Tray Mtn Shelter 2613 2313 8.4 58.6
8 11.0 Hiawassee Top of GA hostel; Budget Inn pickup, or hitch to town from Dick’s Creek Gap 4 2436 3961 8.7 69.6
9 6.7 Tenting Past Plumorchard Shelter 2286 1461 8.5 76.3
10 10.0 Standing Indian Shelter Enter North Carolina 2903 1643 8.6 86.3
11 7.6 Carter Gap Shelters Newer shelter to north 1515 1735 8.5 93.9
12 8.1 Long Branch Shelter 1638 1238 8.5 102.0
13 7.8 Franklin, NC Albert Mtn 2.5 miles into the day. 2 1496 2586 8.4 109.8
14 8.2 Tenting Bartram Trail / Wine spring area 2704 1264 8.4 118.0
15 7.6 Cold Spring Shelter 1532 1902 8.4 125.6
16 11.7 Nantahala Outdoor Center 2 1496 4693 8.6 137.3
17 6.7 Sassafrass Gap Shelter Mostly uphill from NOC. 3202 595 8.5 144.0
18 9.1 Brown Fork Gap Shelter 2172 2702 8.5 153.1
19 11.5 Fontana Village Call for ride from AT Crossing reception center.
Alternate 1: Stay at Hike Inn (Resupply in Robbinsville)
Alternate 2:  Stay at Fontana Dam Shelter 1.1 mi. farther.
Fill out GSMNP permit.
3 1955 3945 8.7 164.6
20 7.1 Tenting Birch Spring Gap.  Long climb up from the dam. 2878 1008 8.6 171.7
21 10.8 Spence Field Shelter 3000 1765 8.7 182.5
22 11.8 Silers Bald Shelter Tough day, hard to plan around it. 1945 1980 8.8 194.3 Smoky Mtns
23 12.5 Gatlinburg Via Newfound Gap. Consider taking more than 2 days if no maildrop at Standing Bear. 2 2081 2541 9.0 206.8
24 10.4 Peck’s Corner Shelter 2624 2389 9.1 217.2
25 12.9 Cosby Knob Shelter 3209 3789 9.2 230.1
26 10.7 Standing Bear Hstl Plenty fo supplies to get to Hot Springs. 2 1466 4366 9.3 240.8
27 6.9 Groundhog Creek Shelter Alternate:  Another 7 miles to campsite just beyond Max Patch 2989 1889 9.2 247.7
28 13.1 Walnut Mtn Shelter 3384 2024 9.3 260.8
29 13.1 Hot Springs, NC PO, Outfitter, grocery.  Elmer’s, Laughing Heart and other choices in compact town with trail through center. 5 2004 4938 9.4 273.9
30 11.0 Spring Mtn Shelter 3636 1662 9.5 284.9
31 8.6 Little Laurel Shelter 2342 2022 9.5 293.5
32 12.7 Flint Mountain Shelter 2743 2813 9.6 306.2
33 8.8 Hogback Ridge Shelter 2526 1821 9.5 315.0
34 13.2 Tenting Could hitch in at Sam’s Gap for a meal/supplies. Camp at Whistling Gap. 2808 3413 9.7 328.2
35 13.3 Erwin, TN Uncle Johnny’s, or one of many in-town lodging choices.  Less resupply needed if staying at Greasy Cr. Hostel two nights later. 4 2445 4395 9.8 341.5
36 12.7 Tenting One half mile north of Beauty Spot 3547 1147 9.8 354.2
37 12.1 Greasy Creek Gap Greasy Creek Hostel or camp at gap 3631 3331 9.9 366.3
38 9.1 Roan High Knob Shelter Highest shelter on AT 9.9 375.4
39 7.3 Overmountain Shelter Great views today, including views from the shelter. 4180 4030 9.8 382.7
40 9.2 Mtn Harbor Hostel Resupply in Roan Mtn 2 1606 3261 9.8 391.9
41 8.8 Mountaineer Shelter 2131 1556 9.8 400.7
42 9.6 Moreland Gap Shelter 1507 1162 9.8 410.3
43 8.7 Hampton, TN
Braemar Hostel
Via US 321.  Alternates;  a shorter day stopping at Kincora (ride to resupply available) or at Laurel Fork Shelter. 3 2392 4217 9.7 419.0
44 15.0 Vandeventer Shelter 2519 999 9.9 434.0
45 14.4 Double Springs Shelter 2732 2162 10.0 448.4
46 8.3 Abingdon Gap Shelter 1650 1950 9.9 456.7
47 10.4 Damascas VA PO, grocery, outfitter, hostels 3 908 2760 9.9 467.1
48 15.6 Lost Mtn Shelter 3835 2363 10.1 482.7
49 12.2 Thomas Knob Shelter High and exposed shelter – be prepared for cold 3474 1474 10.1 494.9 Grayson Highlands
50 11.0 Old Orchard Shelter Take your time on this scenic stretch of trail. 1409 2759 10.1 505.9
51 10.2 Troutdale From Dickey’s Gap. Church hostel in Troutdale. 1 1768 2505 10.1 516.1
52 14.5 Partnership Shelter Showers-Pizza Hut Delivery-Phone 2532 2589 10.2 530.6
53 11.6 Atkins VA Relax Inn (where the Trail crosses US11), hitch west to Comfort Inn 4 1911 2747 10.2 542.2
54 13.9 Knot Maul Shelter 3169 2709 10.3 556.1
55 9.1 Chestnut Knob Shelter 2865 1335 10.3 565.2
56 10.0 Jenkins Shelter 1043 2983 10.3 575.2
57 14.0 Helvey’s Mill Shelter 2589 1969 10.3 589.2
58 16.3 Camp – Trent’s Grocery 0.4 west on VA 606.  Need very little supplies if you stay at Woods Hole, where you can get more supplies and meals. 1 2446 3436 10.4 605.5
59 13.9 Woods Hole Hostel Great place, don’t miss the meals offered here. 2648 1366 10.5 619.4
60 10.4 Pearisburg VA Church hostel not easy to get to; best hotel option is MacArthur Inn in Narrows. 3 or 4 2080 3262 10.5 629.8
61 8.4 Tenting 2409 1154 10.5 638.2
62 12.1 Tenting At or near “The Captain’s Place” 1520 2609 10.5 650.3
63 11.5 War Spur Shelter 2399 2425 10.5 661.8
64 12.2 Sarver Hollow Shelter Tough climb at end of the day.  Could hitch to Newport to get groceries or a maildrop.  PO and store is all that there is after an 8-mile hitch. Don’t go here unless you have maildrop or are certain of store hours. 3254 2194 10.5 674.0
65 16.1 Pickle Branch Shelter Hard to avoid this long day. 2746 4301 10.6 690.1
66 6.7 Catawba Four Pines Hostel.  Plan to arrive Thurs-Sunday so you can get a great meal at Home Place Restaurant. 1 2517 2362 10.6 696.8
67 10.2 Pig Farm Campsite Backtrack to McAfee for morning views 2445 2365 10.6 707.0
68 15.5 Daleville VA Daleville has restaurants, grocery, outfitter, hotels…everything except hostel. Take 7 days supplies if you want to skip Big Island detour. 4 or 7 1363 2143 10.6 722.5
69 11.2 Wilson Creek Shelter 2685 2155 10.6 733.7
70 13.8 Cove Mountain Shelter 2580 2485 10.7 747.5
71 11.9 Cornelius Creek Shelter 3690 2470 10.7 759.4
72 12.2 Tenting Marble Spring 2880 3725 10.7 771.6
73 9.4 Johns Hollow Shelter Hitch in/out of Big Island or Glasgow for supplies.  Alternate:  Stay in Glasgow. 2 1693 2973 10.7 781.0
74 8.8 Punchbowl Shelter 3713 3733 10.7 789.8
75 22.6 Hog Camp Gap Three Springs Hostel has adequate resupply, or go into Buena Vista 4121 1636 10.8 812.4
76 7.7 Montebello, VA Via Spy Rock Road.  Stay at Dutch Haus or camp at General Store. 2 1701 1732 10.8 820.1
77 9.2 Harpers Creek Shelter 2918 4572 10.8 829.3
78 14.7 Tenting Near Humpback Rocks (bring water) 4728 3166 10.8 844.0
79 12.5 Waynesboro, VA Get ride from Rockfish Gap visitor’s center.
Mail home winter gear?  Resuppy minimally because food readily available in SNP.
1 962 2422 10.8 856.5
80 6.8 Calf Mtn Shelter 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. 4682 3939 10.8 863.3 Shenandoah NP
81 13.0 Blackrock Hut 2489 2704 10.8 876.3
82 13.2 Pinefield Hut Loft Mountain Campground (7mi into day) for food 2489 2704 10.8 889.5
82 20.6 Bearfence Mtn Hut Stop by Lewis Campstore for food just before reaching shelter 4675 3995 11.1 910.1
83 22.4 Byrds Nest #3 Big Meadows for meals & supplies 2170 1815 11.2 932.5
84 17.5 Gravel Springs Hut Elkwallow Wayside 8.6 mi for lunch 2524 2734 11.3 950.0
85 13.4 Front Royal Large town with everything but an outfitter. Alternate:  Stop at Front Royal Hostel about 4 miles earlier. Resupply one day less and make it up with maildrop or purchases at Bears Den. 2 2056 3586 11.3 963.4
86 10.7 Manassas Gap Shelter 2484 1779 11.3 974.1
87 12.9 Rod Hollow Shelter 2009 2824 11.3 987.0
88 9.9 Bears Den Hostel “Roller Coaster” early in the day.  Food and some supplies available at the hostel”¦or send yourself a maildrop. 3025 2565 11.3 996.9
89 19.8 Harpers Ferry, WV Feed on your adrenaline about reaching this landmark to do a long day.  The hardest hiking is early in the day.  This mileage is to ATC side trail.  Many lodging choices. 4 2997 3813 11.4 1016.7
90 11.0 Crampton Gap Shelter 1989 1473 11.4 1027.7
91 15.7 Pogo Campsite Pine Knob Shelter a little too close to road 2576 2026 1043.4
92 9.9 Raven Rock Shelter Rocky terrain from Pogo Campsite all the way to Pen Mar Park. 1692 1762 11.4 1053.3
93 13.2 Tumbling Run Shelters Can easily go into Waynesboro, PA from Pen Mar Park to get food and supplies. 1986 2346 11.5 1066.5
94 9.6 Fayetteville, PA
or Quarry Gap Shelters
Stay at Caledonia SP or Motels to the west.  Alternate; continue on after resupplying to nice Quarry Gap Shelter 3 miles farther.  Short resupply because food is available next three days. 1 1391 1551 11.4 1076.1
95 19.5 Ironmaster’s Hostel Easy enough stretch to pick up the mileage average.  Pine Grove Furnace – ice cream challenge, more food available 2563 2703 11.5 1095.6
96 15.7 Alec Kennedy Shelter Food available at Green Mountain store (8.6 mi) into the day.  Alternative:  go four miles further and treat yourself to a stay at the Allenberry in Boiling Springs. 2287 2257 11.6 1111.3
97 18.2 Darlington Shelter Level ground most of the day.   Get meal in Boiling Springs and/or Carlisle. 1745 1345 11.6 1129.5
98 11.3 Duncannon, PA Doyle Hotel 4 1291 2181 11.6 1140.8
99 11.3 Peter’s Mtn Shelter 1652 832 11.6 1152.1
100 18.0 Rausch Gap Shelter 1988 2188 11.7 1170.1
101 13.4 William Penn Shelter 2171 1771 11.7 1183.5
102 9.7 Tenting Hertlein Campsite 947 1107 11.7 1193.2
103 18.1 Port Clinton, PA Pavillion tenting.  Short resupply because there are 3 towns in the next 5 days. 2 1442 2262 11.8 1211.3
104 15.2 Eckville Shelter 2538 2338 11.8 1226.5
105 13.3 Tripoli Campsite 2026 1226 11.8 1239.8
106 11.8 Palmerton, PA NOTE: former “Jailhouse Hostel” is closed. food/supplies available 2 1176 2196 11.8 1251.6
107 15.8 Leroy Smith Shelter Climb in Morning; rest of day very level. 2305 1275 11.8 1267.4
108 13.8 Kirkridge Shelter Could go into Wind Gap for a meal. 1620 1530 1281.2
109 11.7 Tenting at
Backpacker Campsite
Get a meal in DWG and resupply using maildrop or stores in town. 4 1593 1773 11.9 1292.9
110 15.6 Buttermilk Falls Stop at Mohican Outdoor Center for lunch. 1349 1319 11.9 1308.5
111 10.5 Gren Anderson Shelter 1561 1591 11.9 1319.0
112 13.0 High Point Shelter Soda and snack machines at park HQ 2 mi before shelter. 1435 1475 11.9 1332.0
113 12.4 Pochuck Mtn Shelter 1107 1547 11.9 1344.4
114 -25.4 Vernon, NJ Church Hostel, restaurants and grocery near hostel 3 792 1182 11.6 1319.0
115 16.2 Waywayanda Shelter Approx 44 mi. from Vernon to Bear Mtn, NY are deceptively difficult.  Don’t rush out of Vernon; perhaps get ride to Campmor. 1395 645 11.6 1335.2
116 12.4 Wildcat Shelter Ice Cream at NY 17, 2.0 mi before shelter. 1108 1128 11.6 1347.6
117 6.5 Fingerboard Shelter 2823 2703 11.6 1354.1
118 42.3 Fort Montgomery, NY 4 2396 3572 11.8 1396.4
119 6.5 Graymoor Spiritual Life Center 1676 1285 11.8 1402.9
120 17.5 Tenting Shenandoah Tenting area 2788 2398 11.8 1420.4
121 10.3 Morgan Stewart Shelter 1992 1612 11.8 1430.7
122 16.5 Wiley Shelter 2151 2696 11.9 1447.2
123 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.  Resupply light, since it is easy to get more in Falls Village and Salisbury.
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 11.9 1459.6
124 13.9 Tenting Caesar Brook Campsite 2286 2141 11.9 1473.5
125 11.6 Tenting Falls Village, CT.  Tent at Toymaker’s Café (consider patronizing the restaurant if you use the free tent site) 1935 2185 11.9 1485.1
126 12.8 Brassie Brook Lean-to Stop in Salisbury for more food and supplies.  Resupply short because supplies available in Dalton and Cheshire. 5 2441 1286 11.9 1497.9
127 8.9 Glen Brook Lean-to Climb Bear Mtn and Mt. Everett, good swimming holes in Sages Ravine 2186 2006 11.9 1506.8
128 14.3 Tom Leonard Lean-to 1940 2285 11.9 1521.1
129 11.2 Tenting Shaker Campsite 1980 2525 11.9 1532.3
130 9.9 Upper Goose Pond Shelter 1841 1353 11.9 1542.2
131 17.6 Kay Wood Lean-to 2357 1980 11.9 1559.8
132 11.9 Cheshire, MA Breakfast in Dalton, 3 mi. from shelter.  Church Hostel or Mason Hill Hostel. 1542 2428 11.9 1571.7
133 14.4 Williamstown or
North Adams, MA
Williamston has a bit more than N. Adams, including outfitter (Mountain Goat) where you may camp.  N. Adams is closer. 4 3283 3607 11.9 1586.1
134 6.9 Seth Warner Shelter Enter VT, join Long Trail 1997 467 11.9 1593.0
135 13.1 Melville NauheimShelter Steep descent to / climb up from Rte 9 (leads into Bennington) 2549 2399 11.9 1606.1
136 12.8 Kid Gore Shelter Steep descent to / climb up from Rte 9 (leads into Bennington) 2489 2024 11.9 1618.9
137 15.0 Stratton Pond Shelter 2832 3062 11.9 1633.9
138 10.7 Manchester Center, VT Green Mtn House (call ahead), or Sutton’s Place 3 1041 1806 11.9 1644.6
139 14.8 Lost Pond Shelter 3024 2674 11.9 1659.4
140 14.9 Minerva Hinchley Shelter 2345 2965 12.0 1674.3
141 13.8 Cooper Lodge Shelter 4083 1763 12.0 1688.1
142 6.3 Rutland, VT Inn at Long Trail, Back Home Again Hostel, many other choices.  Resupply short because food is avail in West Hartford. 2 184 2154 11.9 1694.4
143 10.0 Stony Brook Shelter 2458 2578 11.9 1704.4
144 9.9 Winturri Shelter 1965 1825 11.9 1714.3
145 13.2 West Hartford, VT Check gen store or Library for tenting/lodging opportunities, be prepared to move on if none available. 1837 3337 11.9 1727.5
146 23.0 Hanover, NH Check DOC for lodging options, or continue 1.5 mi to Velvet Rocks Shelter.  Resupply short 1 day to be made up at Glencliff.
* GET WINTER GEAR *
5 1552 1421 11.9 1737.3
147 11.0 Moose Mtn Shelter 2473 1154 11.9 1748.3
148 12.4 Fire Wardens Cabin 4169 2779 11.9 1760.7
149 12.4 Ore Hill Shelter 2407 3927 11.9 1773.1
150 8.6 Jeffers Brook Shelter Or Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH. 1753 2123 11.9 1781.7
151 15.9 Eliza Brook Shelter Tough morning going over Moosilauke. 5675 4525 1797.6
152 8.8 North Woodstock,
NH
Via Franconia Notch.  Many lodging options here and in adjacent town of Lincoln.  Short resuppy in expectation of some meals at huts.  If hut stays do not pan out, pick up more supplies at Crawford Notch or on Mt. Washington. 3 2205 3255 11.9 1806.4 White Mountains
153 10.3 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) 4933 2883 11.9 1816.7
154 14.5 Ethan Pond Campsite Stay at Zealand Falls Hut (9.7 mi) if WFS is available.  4 mi. Section from Zealand hut to campsite is easy, smooth and level, making this day more doable than it may seem at the outset. 2810 3360 11.9 1831.2
155 9.3 Mizpah Hut / Tentsite At Crawford Notch, can hitch down to Willey House for lunch and short-term supplies.  Tough climb back up from Notch. 3392 2542 11.9 1840.5
156 11.8 Madison Hut / Tentsite Get lunch and short-term supplies at store atop Mt. Washington.  If weather is unfavorable, stop short at Lakes of the Clouds Hut. 3983 2983 11.9 1852.3
157 7.8 Gorham, NH By way of Pinkham Notch.  In Gorham:  Barn Hostel, many motels and all services in town.  Alternate:  Lodging,  meals, supplies also available at the notch. (WFS at Camp Dodge).  Leave what you can in Gorham and carry light load up Wildcat Mtn. 1 1175 3925 11.8 1860.1
158 13.1 Imp Campsite Rugged day.  Shelter and many tent sites. 5062 3862 11.9 1873.2
159 8.0 Gorham, NH Return to Gorham via Rte 2.  Resupply light because day 4 is in Andover.  NEW:  White Mtns Lodge & Hostel 3 1105 3595 11.8 1881.2
160 11.8 Gentian Pond Shelter 3601 2195 11.8 1893.0
161 9.6 Full Goose Shelter 2933 2069 11.8 1902.6
162 12.0 Baldpate Lean-to Tough day including  Mahoosuc Notch and Arm. 4469 4839 11.8 1914.6
163 8.0 Andover, ME Badlpates are challenging uphill and down.  Via East B Road.  A couple of nice hostel choices. 2034 3209 11.8 1922.6
164 10.1 Andover, ME Could be slackpacked.  Via South Arm Road. 4 3259 3334 11.8 1932.7
165 8.7 Bemis Mtn Lean-to Alternate:  Slackpacks easy to arrange from Andover (East B to South Arm Rd) or Rangeley (Rte 17 to Rte 4) 3129 1739 11.8 1941.4
166 12.9 Little Swift River Campsite 2490 2830 11.8 1954.3
167 12.8 Redington Campsite 3731 2591 11.8 1967.1
168 10.7 Spaulding Mtn Lean-to Climb the Saddleback peaks 2648 3108 11.8 1977.8
169 13.5 Stratton, ME 3 3448 5188 11.8 1991.3
170 10.4 Safford Notch Campsite 3673 2843 2001.7
171 12.2 West Pond Carry Lean-to 2085 2975 11.8 2013.9
172 10.0 Pierce Pond Lean-to 752 932 11.8 2023.9
173 9.7 Pleasant Pond Lean-to Option;  breakfast at Harrison’s Pierce Pond Camp. Reach Kennebec River (3.7mi) in time for 9-11am ferry.  Maidrop at PO in Caratunk close by. 2 1243 1083 11.8 2033.6
174 13.1 Moxie Bald Lean-to Nice shelter near pond 3007 3107 11.8 2046.7
175 17.9 Monson, ME Shaws or Lake Shore House. 7 1903 1908 11.8 2064.6
176 10.4 Wilson Valley Lean-to Enter 100 mi wilderness 1638 1808 11.8 2075.0 100-Mile Wilderness
177 15.6 Chairback Gap Lean-to 3757 2872 11.8 2090.6
178 11.7 Sidney Tappan Campsite Gulf Hagas loop trail, 5.2mi., a recommended diversion. 2330 1835 11.8 2102.3
179 17.1 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. 2783 4328 11.8 2119.4
180 13.8 Whitehouse Landing Can get meals and some supplies here. 649 1009 2133.2
181 15.8 Rainbow Stream Lean-to 1959 1459 11.9 2149.0
182 11.5 Hurd Brook Lean-to 849 1159 11.9 2160.5
183 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. 1 973 613 11.9 2173.9
184 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 11.8 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 16 zero days would make a 200-day trek and reduce the mi/day average to about 10.9 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).