Very Long Distance trip

Me and a few friends are currently in our first year of college, and as a end of the year celebration, we have decided we would like to go on a backpacking trip. The trip we want to make is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where we currently reside, and make our way to New York, New York. I have measured the straight shot distance and it is roughly 600 miles. This means we would have to pack 20 miles a day, for 30days. Which is do-able, but not necessarily fun. I was just wondering if anyone has any long distance backpacking experience, and had any suggestions of what a good time would be to make, stopping points, how to pack for super long distance, and any other tips of pointers that may come with this sort of hike.

Thanks

I'm not sure I understand why anyone would want to hike to New York City. You might be able to catch some of the Northland trail, but most of the time you would be hiking along the side of highways. And then you'd be showing up in the largest metropolis in the US all smelly and dirty.

Twenty miles per day for thirty days is doable, but it's a bit ambitious for a group of novices with heavy gear. Even on relatively flat ground. Of course the flip side is that you could probably hitch a ride on the route you're planning.

I agree with Paddy_Crow. Of all the beautiful places in the US, why would you want to hike to NYC? To each his own, I guess. Of course, I could spend 2-3 weeks in Washington, DC going to all the museums.
Another alternative might be to hike part of the AT in New York.
Another option would be to go to Colorado and hike part of the Colorada Trail.


Check out www.trailjournals.com and you can read plenty about long distance hiking and the gear that is typically used.

Some of the journalist to read:
Bearpaw
Stumpknocker
Hammock Hanger
LiteShoe


Happy hiking,
Tango

I am from Grand Rapids, where are you going to school?

are you sure that is the distance you will be going? if that is measured as the bird flys you should add 20 or 30 %. I am planing on hiking the AT next year, 2200 miles. A hike like this takes some planning, and you need to figure out your route before you start. you should be able to follow the north country trail for some of the path.

http://www.northcountrytrail.org/

By the way, I grew up in Wyoming, Michigan (suburb of Grand Rapids for those not familiar with the area).

i grew up in the pan-handle of grandville. nice to see someone else from around there.

I am also from Grand Rapids. I am in the Cascade area near the airport. My grandfather moved to the area in 1912 and I still live within three miles of the original home.

Hah, thats funny that so many people live near Grand Rapids. I actually live in Cascade, about 5 miles from the airport lol. I currently am attending Grand Valley State University.

My friend is the one heading it up. Were also not really novices, we have done part of the AT. However we really want to do crazy that will take awhile, and meet thousands of people on the way.

I was going to suggest the North Country Trail through the entire U.P. It's about 450 miles or so and almost entirely trail (not much road walking) and it wouldn't be too far from home. Then I saw your comment about wanting to meet thousands of people and that would pretty much throw this trip out except for the sections through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (50 miles or so) and the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (30 miles or so) which are pretty popular and you'd run into a lot of folks.

If it's people you're after the AT is always a good option. Also the American Discovery Trail from Ohio to the Delaware coast would be a good option as it goes through some populated areas including the C&O canal towpath and such.

Road walking sucks big time <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />, after the first 20-50 miles of road walking you'll catch a greyhound bus and get drunk in NYC <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> But hey, what do I know after backpacking twice across the USA <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> It takes quite a bit of planning to be able to get off the road and into State and National Forest or Park areas. If you try to just 'wing it' and end up on private property, especially these days, you could end up getting arrested for trespass <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Nice concept that I would like to see executed by some young whipersnappers who have time on their hands, and youth on their sides (for all those sleepless crappy campsites) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Good points about the ADT trail, seems more folks want to LEAVE NYC to head towards the UP, than vice versa <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> You guys better bring deep pockets or credit cards with lots of room as NYC is'nt a cheap place to crash. Unless you have someone to stay with plan on having to get a hotel room, as it's not safe to try and campout with anything better than a cardboard box <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> You can catch a bus to Campmor from the NYC Port Authority so there is hope for such a trip <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Consider it the 'pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, if you will on a trip like that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If you don't have a trail to follow. I would bet big money you cancel your trip after a couple days, and bus/hitch into NYC.


Almost any long distant hiker I've met who decided to take a highway route absolutely hated it. Its not scenic, its noisy, dirty, and dangerous.

I don't mean some remote stretch of dirt road somewhere, but following along the sides of highways with steady traffic at 55+ mph.



Take the train and get drunk on the way )