Any Appalachian Trail hikers out there?

[Sodium Duck]

Late July, me and my girlfriend (maybe my brother and his girlfriend, too) are planning to hike the Massachusetts portion of the Appalachian Trail. Anyone else ever hike this, or even in the 2,000 mile club?

I'm trying to find a good book or internet source to map out where to stay and how many miles to hike a day. The AT is 90 miles in Massachusetts. I was thinking of doing it all in about 7-9 days.

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site...active_Map.htm

That map has been helpful, but it only seems to show leantos for shelters -- no regular camp sites. I think I'll have to go and research all the state forests to find out where their camping areas are. Late July, I think the leantos will be full, and I don't generally like to share a space like that with strangers per se.

PS, I'm bored and you probably are too. Here's some fun pictures.

[ctrj]

Read or listen to the book, "A Walk In The Woods" by Bill Bryson.

[Altitude]

Originally Posted by ctrj

Read or listen to the book, "A Walk In The Woods" by Bill Bryson.

+1 and friggin hilarious. (yes, read it before you go!)

I've done short trips on the AT through Md., West Virginia and PA. Through that section you're never more than a couple of miles from a campsite. You'll probably have to play it by ear and just hope you find a site at the end of each day, though I don't imagine that will be a problem. You should also be on the lookout for water sources indicated on the maps as that is likely where you'll find camping spots.