Devil's Path and Presi Traverse

mrsmileyns · 07-17-2012, 03:25 PM

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this and I hope I don't start any battles...but here goes

I just hiked the Devils Path as a 3 day trip. I found it to be challenging but I had no problems and it was doable without issue for me.

I plan on doing a Presidential Traverse in the Whites in a few weeks also as a 3 day, 2 night trip.

From a purely physical standpoint would these hikes be of a similar level? I just want to be properly prepared mentally. I am not talking about scenery, weather, people, or anything like that - just the pure strenuousness of the hike so I have an idea of what to expect.

Thanks.

Jay H · 07-17-2012, 05:37 PM

I would say it's somewhat comparable, energy level wise, you will have more initial elevation gain in the whites but once you're up on the ridge, the elevation gain is not as hard as the catskills. Footing is a lot different, you'll find roots in the catskills whereas much of the pressis is above treeline or close enough that you'll be rock hopping a lot more than the catskills. Tough on ankles for sure in the pressies.

Jay

Pathgrinder · 07-17-2012, 05:54 PM

The key to making it really enjoyable is to get going early enough to knock off Adams and Madison on Day 1. Doing this really makes Day 2 a pleasure. Sounds like you should have no problems except for the always fickle weather up there. I did this one in 3 days & 2 nights also and it was a wonderful way to experience it, leaving plenty of time to enjoy each summit without having to rush.

polskikrol · 07-30-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pathgrinder

The key to making it really enjoyable is to get going early enough to knock off Adams and Madison on Day 1.

Sound advise. Day 1 will also be a wreck on the knees, so make sure to bring hiking poles.

Not sure if you are a purist, but there are a few extra peaks along the way to bag which are not on the AT. So you wont exactly get to say you completed the whole AT section here, but you would be able to say you stood atop all of the peaks. Just take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_Traverse for various options.

Water-wise, your best bet would be using the huts once you are above treeline. Not too many options to camp on a multi-day trip apart from using the AMC huts. Maybe why lots of people do it in a day hike? Of course, you could just take a few side trails to just below tree-line and stealth camp. Not that I would know anything about doing this... but I hear it works well when using a hammock system

Enjoy the trip, its one of my favorite in the White apart from the Pemi Loop and Wildcat/Carter/Moriah traverse (better views of the Presis).

mrsmileyns · 07-30-2012, 11:16 AM

thanks - I plan on hammock camping first day at perch and second day at nauman - big second day but definitely do able as long as the weather cooperates. if need be i will duck below treeline and go stealth - 200 ft from trail of course

but i'd rather not do that as the hike below treeline is decent

thanks again for the tips

Quote:

Originally Posted by polskikrol

Sound advise. Day 1 will also be a wreck on the knees, so make sure to bring hiking poles.

Not sure if you are a purist, but there are a few extra peaks along the way to bag which are not on the AT. So you wont exactly get to say you completed the whole AT section here, but you would be able to say you stood atop all of the peaks. Just take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_Traverse for various options.

Water-wise, your best bet would be using the huts once you are above treeline. Not too many options to camp on a multi-day trip apart from using the AMC huts. Maybe why lots of people do it in a day hike? Of course, you could just take a few side trails to just below tree-line and stealth camp. Not that I would know anything about doing this... but I hear it works well when using a hammock system

Enjoy the trip, its one of my favorite in the White apart from the Pemi Loop and Wildcat/Carter/Moriah traverse (better views of the Presis).

polskikrol · 07-31-2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsmileyns

thanks - I plan on hammock camping first day at perch and second day at nauman

Excellent. Hammock camping is quite good in the Whites

I have been at the Perch before and it is quite nice with a nearby spring if I remember correctly. It does become packed (we did arrive at like 1AM) and the caretakers generally dont have change (so exact cash would be best).

mrsmileyns · 07-19-2012, 08:28 AM

thank you for the input

Zer0-G · 07-19-2012, 08:57 AM

There are a few Presi Traverse fans that have done both the Devils Path and the Presi as day hikes. You can ask at that other site....vftt...

I am sure they will be happy to opine.

I've done both....Presi Traverse as a day hike once and the Devils path as an over night more than once and various sections at various times thereof. I am not motivated to do it as a day hike yet.

My opinion is the Devils Path is definitely more challenging. There are a few reasons that vary from one individual to the next and what comes to mind firstly, for me is this:

They both are comparable in terms of distance and elevation. The difference being, The Devils Path has substantial elevation loss/gain throughout the hike. Sometimes, at the end of a long day or long backpack weekend, one of the last things the mind wants to deal with is another long steep climb which stands between you and the finish line line at mile 22 and as it was noted earlier the footing is more challenging than the Presi Traverse being that the latter is mostly above tree-line.

I found the Presi Traverse to be much easier.

A good question may be for hiking the Devils Path is which direction of travel is easier? I don't know that answer.

mrsmileyns · 07-19-2012, 01:31 PM

VFFT - thanks - I was not aware of that site - looks like a useful resource

I did the Devil's Path East to West from Prediger to Spruceton - After reading some other folks experience I guess this sounded easier since it was starting out with the harder part...although that is just my opinion - I think it would have been harder to do Sugarloaf, Twin, and Indian Head at the end. But I guess that is a conversation for another thread

pudgy_groundhog · 07-22-2012, 05:26 PM

Steve has done both as a day hike and he thought the Devil's Path was harder. Neither of us have backpacked either in their entirety at once.

mrsmileyns · 07-23-2012, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pudgy_groundhog

Steve has done both as a day hike and he thought the Devil's Path was harder. Neither of us have backpacked either in their entirety at once.

thanks - sounds like I should have no problem as long as the weather is ok

07-17-2012, 03:25 PM	#1
mrsmileyns Consultant Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Trudging the road of happy destiny. Posts: 309	Devil's Path and Presi Traverse Not sure if this is the right place to ask this and I hope I don't start any battles...but here goes I just hiked the Devils Path as a 3 day trip. I found it to be challenging but I had no problems and it was doable without issue for me. I plan on doing a Presidential Traverse in the Whites in a few weeks also as a 3 day, 2 night trip. From a purely physical standpoint would these hikes be of a similar level? I just want to be properly prepared mentally. I am not talking about scenery, weather, people, or anything like that - just the pure strenuousness of the hike so I have an idea of what to expect. Thanks.

07-17-2012, 05:37 PM	#2
Jay H Ice Cream Time Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pittsfield, MA Posts: 6,793	I would say it's somewhat comparable, energy level wise, you will have more initial elevation gain in the whites but once you're up on the ridge, the elevation gain is not as hard as the catskills. Footing is a lot different, you'll find roots in the catskills whereas much of the pressis is above treeline or close enough that you'll be rock hopping a lot more than the catskills. Tough on ankles for sure in the pressies. Jay __________________ Life is a short, warm moment And death is a long cold rest. You get your chance to try in the twinkling of an eye: Eighty years, with luck, or even less. -Pink Floyd

07-17-2012, 05:54 PM	#3
Pathgrinder High in the Whites Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Pine Plains, NY Posts: 561	The key to making it really enjoyable is to get going early enough to knock off Adams and Madison on Day 1. Doing this really makes Day 2 a pleasure. Sounds like you should have no problems except for the always fickle weather up there. I did this one in 3 days & 2 nights also and it was a wonderful way to experience it, leaving plenty of time to enjoy each summit without having to rush. __________________ Pecking away at the Cats, ADK's & Whites

07-19-2012, 08:57 AM	#8
Zer0-G Dances w/Giant Hogweeds Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Valhalla, NY Posts: 1,350	There are a few Presi Traverse fans that have done both the Devils Path and the Presi as day hikes. You can ask at that other site....vftt... I am sure they will be happy to opine. I've done both....Presi Traverse as a day hike once and the Devils path as an over night more than once and various sections at various times thereof. I am not motivated to do it as a day hike yet. My opinion is the Devils Path is definitely more challenging. There are a few reasons that vary from one individual to the next and what comes to mind firstly, for me is this: They both are comparable in terms of distance and elevation. The difference being, The Devils Path has substantial elevation loss/gain throughout the hike. Sometimes, at the end of a long day or long backpack weekend, one of the last things the mind wants to deal with is another long steep climb which stands between you and the finish line line at mile 22 and as it was noted earlier the footing is more challenging than the Presi Traverse being that the latter is mostly above tree-line. I found the Presi Traverse to be much easier. A good question may be for hiking the Devils Path is which direction of travel is easier? I don't know that answer. __________________ Natural environment sustains the life of all beings universally. Trees are referred to in accounts of the principal events of Buddha's life. His mother leaned against a tree for support as she gave birth to him. He attained enlightenment seated beneath a tree, and finally passed away as trees stood witness overhead. H.H. D. L. "experience is something you don't get until after you need it, that's the problem." - Joe Simpson As I was walking - I saw a sign there And that sign said - No tresspassin' But on the other side - it didn't say nuthin' Now that side was made for you and me! - Woody Guthrie - Charter Member of the Tongue-In-Cheek Club (TIC) Last edited by Zer0-G; 07-23-2012 at 08:16 AM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-19-2012, 08:28 AM	#7
mrsmileyns Consultant Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Trudging the road of happy destiny. Posts: 309	thank you for the input

07-19-2012, 01:31 PM	#9
mrsmileyns Consultant Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Trudging the road of happy destiny. Posts: 309	VFFT - thanks - I was not aware of that site - looks like a useful resource I did the Devil's Path East to West from Prediger to Spruceton - After reading some other folks experience I guess this sounded easier since it was starting out with the harder part...although that is just my opinion - I think it would have been harder to do Sugarloaf, Twin, and Indian Head at the end. But I guess that is a conversation for another thread

07-22-2012, 05:26 PM	#10
pudgy_groundhog Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 107	Steve has done both as a day hike and he thought the Devil's Path was harder. Neither of us have backpacked either in their entirety at once.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)