Picking a sub-300 mile trail

[BreckDown]

My wife has agreed to me doing a multi-week thru-hike in 2011. I’m looking do stay under the 300 mile mark to keep the trip well under a month long. Unfortunately, she has added a caveat that I am not allowed to solo hike anything that long. A real bummer, since the only hikers I know in my area consider a 10 mile hike and extreme outing but I completely understand and respect her wishes. Even with the “staffing” issue against me I am still starting to make plans, hoping that over the next year I’ll come across someone to go with me. I’ve been starting to look at trails and I’m looking for some recommendations. Currently I’m thinking about the SHT or the LT however trails like the Katy and River to River have also grabbed my interest also. For some odd reason, I don’t want to do a section hike of a longer trail either. I want a trail that I can do start to finish; I’m not sure why, it’s just a mental thing.

If you had a 3 week’ish time frame, what trail would you choose east of the Rockies? I live in Northern Indiana so there aren’t any local options besides the River to River Trail that I’m aware of.

[Shug]

The SHT is gonna be a lot easier than the LT ... in my opinion.
I do hike the SHT a lot and it is doable in 3 weeks ......
Terrific trail.
Shug

[angrysparrow]

The Pinhoti Trail (~325 miles) is an option. Very diverse, with quite a lot of solitude.

[lori]

I'd say the John Muir Trail, as you would never be really alone but that doesn't match the east of the Rockies condition. It would be a really beautiful and awesome hike, tho.

[poker88]

Maybe the North Country Trail in the Pictured Rocks area.

[lazy river road]

Id personally choose the LT (but im Bias its the trail I am thruing this summer) but consider elevation change, weather and time of year you wish to go, and your and yours wife skill level and how much you want to challenge yourselves. But what about considering the JMT (John Muir Trail). Its supposed to be a beatiful trail, 211 mi, and is said to take apx. 3-4 weeks. What ever you decide enjoy every moment and every mile with your wife, have fun hikeing.

[lori]

Since the JMT ends on Mt Whitney, elevation gain is probably more of a concern than it would be on other trails.... But you start in Yosemite Valley (4-5000 feet) so you'll be acclimating as you go.

[beep]

The SHT is gonna be a lot easier than the LT ... in my opinion.
I do hike the SHT a lot and it is doable in 3 weeks ......
Terrific trail.
Shug

Second the SHT. Easily manageable in a 3 week timeline. Relatively easy resupply options along the way. It's also closer to Indiana that the LT.

[MedicineMan]

If you want to work your way up, say 10 days, then 3 weeks, then a thru consider the Foorthills Trail.
I went to an authors roundtable once, all authors speaking make a living writing books on hiking/paddling trails..they all said that the Foothills Trail was a hidden gem in the US.
75ish miles long, alternate endings depending on which state park you want to end at, LOTs of waterfalls, significant climbs AND one of the longest stretches of trail in the US where you cannot resupply.
Just another option.....but don't do it in summer.

[Trooper]

.....but don't do it in summer.

Why not?

~Trooper