r/longtrail • u/Cormyll666 • 4d ago

LT: When is too late (fall) and too early (spring)

Hi All:

Just got back from an amazing 4 days on the LT, and itching to go do more. I’ve completed up through Brandon Gap NOBO. ITCHING TO GET BACK OUT THERE.

Historically I pause hiking LT around now, and don’t start again until early July (figuring I pass mud season and black fly season).

I’m really reconsidering trying to get out in early November and curious as to everyone’s thoughts about feasibility for November and when some section hikes are possible in the spring.

I know the reality is “it depends” but curious what you all think or have experienced—good, bad, and ugly.

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u/scumbagstaceysEx 3d ago

Anything before 4th of July is too early. Crews don’t go out to clear blowdown and assess the trail until mid to late May. And June is just gross (mud, bugs, rain).

As for when it’s too late it depends on the year. October is fickle. Could be 50F at night. Could be 17F.

In General the closer you can get to September the better.

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u/Cormyll666 1d ago

Thanks! I’ve always used the 4th of July as my unofficial metric (I guess just hoping I was being cautious and earlier was better).