Another Step
There are a number of issues to consider for a significant hike (I will define it as anything more than an overnighter). My main worry (right now) with my proposed Northville-Placid Trail trip is what if the trail is simply not in a good enough shape to do in a timely manner, I mean who wants to be going over blowdown after blowdown on the trail? The N-P is a reasonably popular trail with a decent support system so I would guess that most areas will see some cleanup after the effects of Irene. But its a big job and it may simply overwhelm the dedicated volunteers that take care of the trail. - a side note - I have participated in a National Trails Day event a few times and I like to clear off small blowdowns on trails I hike, but I do not have the time to put in the real effort needed (I am hoping that after retirement I can actually do that) that the many volunteers do put in. So if the trail is still in need of work (a) I won't hold it against the volunteers and (b) I need a back-up plan.
That's where my list from the first post comes in. I think my next choice would be the Donut Hole Trail in Pa. Its an 90 mile linear trail (important for planning) and very secluded as well as being little used in many places (not so good from a trail care situation). It is also on the limits of a reasonable drive from my 'base of operations' in Pa (northern Potter Co.). I have hiked on 2 pieces of the trail and found it to be in reasonable shape, but brushy in a few places and from what I understand from others trail blogs that is true in other parts of the trail. If the Donut Hole Trail is my back-up to the N-P Trail I prefer to do, I need to address a items to make it a true contingency plan. These are:
- shuttle service to the trail head (I believe Rock River & Trail Outfitters has a (expensive) shuttle service geared mainly towards kayaking/canoeing - if they are still in business!)
- trail navigation, such as a good map (available for download somewhere) and some helpful GPS waypoints for the parts that aren't totally clear on the ground [by the way, I am experienced with following trails that are poorly marked, but it gets s little stressful and time consuming when a less than clear trail makes a turn that isn't obvious]
- dealing with the fact there is no trail guide, just some brief descriptive pages in the KTA Pa trails book ( about 6 pages) and a similar number of pages in Jeff Mitchell's 'Backpacking Pennsylvania' book [both are great books to get an introduction to the many hiking opportunities in PA].
As you might have guessed from this and earlier posts I am a big fan of Pa hiking/backpacking trails (I am originally from Pa, but it can't be beat in the east US for secluded hiking with lots of wildlife). So you might be wondering why is the Donut Hole Trail my second choice this year? Well I have hiked lots and lots of Pa trails over the last 10-12 years so I need a change of pace and the N-P Trail is closer to my house than those in Pa. Its also a little longer in distance than anything I have done so if I get into trouble I am not too far from home.
In my next post I will start discussing possible gear selection and what new gear I might imagine not living without.