How much of the Appalachian Trail could we hike?

Question

I have a Boy Scout Troop consisting of 15 teenage boys who are all in good physical condition. How much of the Appalachian Trail do you think we could hike in a one month period? None of us have any idea of what to guess for this. And what part of the trail would be the best to see?

Answer 1

Your best source of on this would be :

http://www.whiteblaze.net/

Figure hiking 100 miles a week  so you can reasonably ball park your month at 400 miles

This stretch would fit the bill

Bear Mountain State Park NY To Franconia Notch NH >413.8 miles

Mileage

Bear Mtn To NY/CT line >52.5

NY/CT line to MA/VT line >141.8

MA/VT line to Franconia Notch >219.5

Do the hike across Franconia Ridge as a day hike

Why I chose it?

It's a really pretty stretch

The terrain gets progressively more difficult as you go north

Unlike the Southern Appalachians  there is easy access to the Trail from roads and the many towns that the trail passes close to so re-supply and emergency evacuation if need be are not an issue

Because it is a northern stretch summer heat won't be as much of an issue as it would be on the southern portions

Good luck