Its been such a long time since i have been here...when i was prepping for my JMT 2007 trip. It was an epic adventure for which i was very proud. I went on to do the 100mi. Wonderland Trail in 2009. Then the bottom dropped out of my life and i have been struggling to get back to normal. Finally i am ready to tackle another thru hike, similar mileage or more. So far i am looking at the Colorado Trail. 475mi (Has really grabbed my attention and even my heart a bit, though it may be too much time off work...and therefore very expensive if you live paycheck to paycheck), Vermont's Long Trail, 272mi (which hasn't wowed me in research so far...a lot of rain and such low altitude), and i have barely touched on research on Minnesota's Superior Hiking Trail, 275 mi. thoughts? i feel like reasonably i have 4 weeks...maybe 6...but i am super slow. i did the JMT in 3.5 (I had planned 4, could have finished in 3 but i knew my ride could not come sooner than a half week early) i think i would have to plan 8 weeks for Colorado....but man that one really turns my head.

I've done the parts of the CT that overlap with the CDT, and similarly have done the part of the LT that overlaps the AT (about half). They're quite different.

For the CT, factor in some time to get up to speed with the elevation. For the LT, factor in that trail quality isn't overall that great. Of the two, I'd would certainly pick the CT, but as is so often the case, it really depends on what kind of experience(s) you're looking for.

I know nothing about the Superior Hiking Trail. Maybe someday ...

yeah...my only pause with the CT is not being able to do the whole thing. Otherwise it looks so beautiful, and my speed (views, peaks, etc)

The Superior Hiking Trail in October is spectacular. Great fall color and the bugs virtually disappear. However, it is rugged. There are a lot of campsites so you can vary the distances you have to travel every. Resupply is fairly easy. Here are a couple of links. One is of a trip I did a couple of years ago and the other is for the SHTA site. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/d1948n/sets/72157631691988454/

http://www.shta.org/index.php

Dave

Thanks Mosquito...food for thought.

If i were to pick a 300 mile stretch, which part of the CT would you pick?

You might ask that question (which 300 mile stretch) on http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?420-Colorado-Trail

Try Paul for info on the Colorado Trail.

http://www.pmags.com/write-me

Thanks to both of you! I am now in tbe throes of indecision! Lol. They both sound so great...

One this year and one next year.