Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail (AT) is a 2,175 mile long distance hiking trail running from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin, Maine.

History of the Appalachian Trail

The AT was first proposed by Benton MacKaye in 1921 and in October of 1923, the first section of trail was completed in New York. In 1925, the Appalachian Trail Conference was created, but languished for several years. In the early 1930s, Myron Avery took over championing the AT cause, and moved the conference towards preserving the wilderness along the trail. The first document thru-hike was completed by Earl Schaffer in 1948. The AT and the Pacific Crest Trail were designated a National Scenic Trails by the National Trail Systems Act of 1968, signed by President Lyndon Johnson. The route of the trail was finalized in 1971, but minor re-routes continually occur due to weather and land ownership issues.

Hiking the AT

Each year, over 2,000 people attempt a thru-hike, hiking the entire trail in one trip. Roughly 20% of these hikers will complete the trip. Most thru-hikers start in Geogria and go north. A typical thru-hike takes around 3-4 months to complete. Many thru-hikers will start in March or April and complete the trail towards the end of summer. Baxter State Park, the home of Mount Katahdin, closes for winter in Mid October, so most hikers schedule accordingly.

Besides thru-hiking, section hiking is also popular on the AT. Section hikers will hike the entire trail, but over many different trips. The Appalachian Trail is not just for thru-hikers. The trail offers a great place for weekend or multi-day trips.

Due to it’s popularity, the trail is worn down and easy to follow. Just in case you get mixed up, White Blazes, white skinny rectangles, are painted along trees beside the trail to show the trail’s location.

Camping on the trail is rather easy. There are a series of shelters along the trail, usually every 10-20 miles. The most common type of shelter is three sided, with a roof and a raised sleeping platform. Most shelters also have a privy (a pit toilet) and a water source near the shelter.

While the AT is a wilderness experience, there are many trail downs along the trail. This makes it easy for thru-hikers to resupply by either shopping at local stores or mailing food and supplies to predetermined locations.