Suggestions for a 4 – 5 day hike in the Northeast

Have you considered the Adirondacks? You could put together a 4-5 day loop hike or you could set up a basecamp and do day hikes to take in the high peaks (the trails to the high peaks are quite steep). Or walk for 2-3 days and then set up a basecamp. Classic NE hiking in the fall in beautiful, rugged mountains. You probably won't see many people outside the weekend. If you are interested, I'm sure others could make more specific recommendations. The Dacks are superb.

Many of the trails in the ADK's High Peaks Area are really well populated. It is not unusual to see 8-10 people per day. There are a few lean-to's, but many are not really receptive to sharing unless the weather is wet. By law, there is a 6 person occupancy, but often three or four is the usual (with as many as 8-10 in wet weather.)

I think I would recommend several loop hikes in that area, but forget secluded. Right up untill later October (before major snow falls) it is fairly busy.

Most trails are out'n'back. The NPT has several side loops, as does the Finger Lakes Trail. Mostly, the NPT is pretty good if you are looking for solitude. The Long Lake to Placid stretch is 3-4 days long, longer if you do any fishing. I usually figure around 10mi/day. 'Corse, I am getting pretty old for hiking. Mostly, you cannot do 20mi days up there unless you run 5-7mi per day. This would have to be done as a thru, though…not a loop.

I think the Whites or Presidentials might present greater opertunities for loops than the ADK's, if you are looking for solitude.

Early September is "iffy" for fall weather. Some of the trees are starting to turn, now. Last year they were really spread out over the month, not any one "peak". Keep your fingers crossed.

You can do a nice loop in the Pemigewasset (sp?) Wilderness in the White Mtns. If you get up onto the ridge where the AT is things may be a bit busy but when we did the Pemi we had it to ourselves.

Looks like the ADK & Whites are the popular choices. I'll take a gander and see what's available and post back after the weekend, heading off to my regular stomping grounds for the weekend.

"Early September is "iffy" for fall weather. Some of the trees are starting to turn, now. Last year they were really spread out over the month, not any one "peak". Keep your fingers crossed."

I was hiking Harriman Mon/Tue and was surprised to see fall colors already at the higher elevations (high being about 1200 feet, lol)! Also some trees are starting to change color along the Taconic Parkway. That is about 3 weeks ahead of the normal pattern.

Check out trip report on a loop in the Pemi just posted on SectionHiker dot com.

The pemi loop is one of my favorite hikes, but its not very remote. Honestly, its hard to recommend a hike that I can guarantee you ultimate solitude on… however, here are some suggestions for 4-5 day hikes in the ADK:

1) Northville Placid Trail in the west canada lakes wilderness – if you like fishing this is for you. Bring a packraft to explore lakes if you want. There are many offshoot trails around the area. Cedar lake is a great destination. Make a loop of a few trails and a small mountain if interested.

2) Santanoni range with a trek out to duck pond, loop back around the other side of Preston ponds – take the Tahawus road that would take you to upper works, but park at the first lot for Santanoni and duck hole. Hike back to the santanoni lean to and walk passed it to find the campsite on the opposite side of the trail. Day two do an epic peak day to santanoni, panther, and if you have the balls, add in couchsachraga. Its a tough day! Day 3 pack up camp and hike out to duck hole. you'll have to hike around to cross on the cold river "horse trail" if the water is high, the dam and bridge for duck hole washed out a few years back. Decide if you want to take it easy and camp near there or start to turn east and then south again to go around preston ponds and take the trail back toward henderson lean to. hike out from henderson lean to, just a few miles to the upper works lot, and then walk the last mile or two on the road back to your car. this is very remote for the ADK.

3) Circumvent the seward range. This is the most remote trip I've ever done in terms of people – saw some on horseback going in, then no other people for 2 full days. Please see the link to the trip report I wrote about it last year:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/ul-compromises-adk-wilderness-klagsbrun.html#.U_5_rUhGzy0

I'm actually about to hop in the car and head back there tomorrow AM to finish the job and get Seymour done before the rain hits on Sunday.

4) If you don't mind seeing plenty of people – I cannot recommend enough an attempt of the great range in the ADK mountains. You can always just camp anywhere along your route as long as you follow the simple rules about distances from trail, water, and altitude. You'll have plenty of time and the views are the most incredible around. At the very least try Haystack, Marcy, saddleback and Basin. You won't be disappointed. Base camping in any of the valleys will allow many day hikes to the gothics/armstrong/wolfjaw loop, as well as many others. Check out ADK high peaks forum for mmore info!

Adam makes excellent suggestions. +1 on point 4.