UNITED STATES
APPALACHIAN TRAIL
The world’s premiere long distance footpath, the “AT” is located in the mountains of the eastern United States. It extends nearly 2,200 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine passing through 14 states.
AT/NC: Rock Gap to Wayah Bald
Big climbs and views plus a mountainside of woodland flowers end with a zero day.
AT/NC: Standing Indian to Rock Gap
The day is cloudy which adds to the drama atop Albert Mountain lookout with new friends.
AT/NC: Dicks Creek to Standing Indian
A spectacular arrival in North Carolina ends with sunset/moonrise camp atop a 5,000-foot peak.
AT/GA: Unicoi to Dick’s Creek
The day after spitting rain and a town rest is glorious with views to Lake Burton and camping alone.
AT/GA: Poplar Stamp to Unicoi Gap
As forecasted, it rains all day, but even in mist, the forest is magical – as is the wee German town of Helen where we get dry.
AT/GA: Blood Mt to Poplar Stamp Gap
It’s a five mountain day through Neels Gap and into a spectacular spring day.
AT/GA: Gooch to Blood Mountain
It’s a fantastic day of up and down with magical spring green mountain views and sunset on the highest peak on-trail in Georgia.
AT/GA: Springer to Gooch
The real first day is glorious, though hot, with birds singing loudly and flowers lining the walk.
AT/GA: Amicalola Falls to Springer Mountain
I add nine miles on the ‘approach trail’ through Amicalola Falls State Patk, the highest cataract in Georgia, walking to mile 0.
Atlanta
I’m reading about a pro long distance walker as I set out for Springer Mountain. Edward Payson Weston preached of walking’s benefits at the dawn of the automobile age.
Appalachian Trail: Gorham to Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire
The Wildcats are considered some of the hardest hiking in New Hampshire with sketchy rock climbs.
Appalachian Trail, Grafton Notch, Maine to Gorham, New Hampshire
The short section that straddles Maine and New Hampshire is considered one of the hardest with bouldering and dangerously steep descents.
Appalachian Trail: East Andover to Grafton Notch, Maine
It’s incredibly steep up and down on rock with a glorious reward of open balds above treeline.
Appalachian Trail: Rangeley to East Andover, Maine
The trail hits dangerous rotting boards over deep bogs plus an alpine climb of Beamis and Old Blue Mountains.
Appalachian Trail: Stratton to Rangeley, Maine
Two 4,000-footers– Spaulding and Saddleback Mountains – are on trail as well as a 3-mile alpine exposure.
Appalachian Trail: The Crockers, Maine
The Crockers are two of the easiest 4,000 footers in Maine with one side gradually ascending, the other, a steep boulder field.
Appalachian Trail, Caratunk to Stratton, Maine
The Bigelow Range is a classic ridge walk with huge elevation, plus gorgeous lakes and ponds.
