the official magazine of the conservancy / spring 2019

Forest Health and the Wild East

Travel and Adventure in Trailside Communities Celebrating 2,000-Milers #optoutside

06 / contributors 08 / President’s Letter 10 / Letters 2018 2,000-miler Kevin “Hungry Cat” Kelly 12 / overlook with fellow hikers in Shenandoah National Park — a beloved destination for both day 18 / Trailhead visitors and long-distance trekkers. What’s happening along the Trail 46 / APPALACHIAN FOCUS “Family photo” at Woods Hole Hostel / step out 30Adventure and culture await in 48 / Recommended communities along the Trail Bear-resistant food storage containers 14 / healthy forests 50 / Indigenous A.T. Forests and the vitality of the Wild East Diverse habitat in pitch pine — srub oak barrens

52 / trail stories 22 / 2,000-milers Postcards from paradise Congratulations to thousands of dedicated hikers on their A.T. completions 54 / parting thought A true sense of place 40 / hiking with dogs Tips on bringing your best friend along for the hike

On The Cover 44 / A.T. Indulgence A.T. sunset near Newfound Gap in the Treat yourself to some of the finer things Trailside National Park. By Aaron Ibey Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 03

PUB22543134 11x8.5 The Magazine of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy / spring 2019

ATC Executive Leadership mission Suzanne Dixon / President & CEO The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Stacey J. Marshall / Vice President of Finance & Administration mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail — ensuring that Elizabeth Borg / Vice President of Membership & Development its vast natural beauty and priceless / Vice President of Conservation & Trail Programs Laura Belleville cultural heritage can be shared and Cherie A. Nikosey / Chief of Staff enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for On the road to fewer roads? Brian B. King / Publisher centuries to come. We can help. From epic adventures to weekend trips, Enterprise has A.T. Journeys the vehicles and the team to start your next journey. Wendy K. Probst / Editor in Chief Board of Directors To reserve, visit enterprise.com or call 1 800 rent-a-car. Traci Anfuso-Young / Art Director / Designer Sandra Marra / Chair Reference account # W15509. Greg Winchester / Vice Chair Contributors Edward R. Guyot / Secretary Jordan Bowman / Communications Manager Mary Higley / Treasurer Colin Beasley ©2019 Enterprise Rent-A-Car. J03070 2.19 Laurie Potteiger / Information Services Manager Beth Critton Brittany Jennings / Proofreader Grant Davies Shalin Desai J03070 AT Journeys Ad.indd 1 2/11/19 1:41 PM Norman P. Findley Thomas L. Gregg Membership Advertising Daniel A. Howe For membership questions A.T. Journeys is published four times Robert Hutchinson or to become a member, call: per year. Advertising revenues directly James LaTorre (304) 885-0460 support the publication and production of Colleen Peterson the magazine, and help meet Appalachian Rubén Rosales Trail Conservancy objectives. For more [email protected] information and advertising rates, visit: President’s Advisory Circle appalachiantrail.org/atjadvertising Hon. C. Stewart Verdery, Jr. / Co-Chair Hon. Stephanie Martz / Co-Chair Diana Christopulos The staff of A.T. Journeys welcomes A.T. Journeys is published A.T. Journeys ( ISSN 1556-2751) is editorial inquiries, suggestions, on Somerset matte paper published quarterly for $15 a year by Constance I. DuHamel and comments. Email: manufactured by Sappi North the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Lisa Koteen Gerchick [email protected] America mills and distributors 799 Washington Street, Harpers Jessica Herrera-Flanigan Observations, conclusions, that follow responsible forestry Ferry, WV 25425, (304) 535-6331. R. Michael Leonard opinions, and product practices. It is printed with Soy Bulk-rate postage paid at Harpers Robert Rich endorsements expressed in A.T. Seal certified ink in the U.S.A. Ferry, West Virginia, and other Journeys are those of the authors by Sheridan NH in Hanover, New offices. Postmaster: Send change- Thomas Torrisi and do not necessarily reflect those Hampshire. of-address Form 3575 to A.T. Sara Hazelwood Yanes of members of the board or staff of Journeys, P.O. Box 807, Harpers the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Ferry, WV 25425. © 2019 Appalachian Trail Conservancy. All rights reserved. ATMOS | AURA AG contributors

A change of scenery, no matter what the scale, for me is always a refreshing way to reset my mind. Whether Russell Tours I’ve learned that the it is my husband and I taking our two dogs for a short walk Russell Tours in a nearby park or packing us all up for a road trip to a new key to roadtrip success“ destination. Every one of our contributors in this issue was Hiking in Beautiful Places is to not just visit the inspired by an aspect of their lives that deeply influences them Hiking in Beautiful Places and delivers a fresh perspective, creating a collage of stories, big attractions, but to voices, and images that is as varied as the landscape of the Hike the best parts seek out and be open to A.T. From finding solace in forests — and realizing how of the greatest important it is to protect those shady canopies of escape — to unexpected experiences, the excitement of planning a new adventure, to simply Kubota — tough enough for the European trails absorbing the sense of place that comes from a familiar or in the Alps. food, and people new environment — these stories encompass the larger story Kim O’Connell A.T. landscape, tough enough of the Wild East. for your property and more … Wendy K. Probst / Editor in Chief Haute Route Tour de Mont Blanc Beverage Tractor is a proud partner of the Appalachian Hike 7, 10, 14, or 21 days. ” Trail Conservancy to preserve Stay in 4-star hotels. and maintain habitat for all to enjoy. From $1,450 per week pp ½ board (Breakfast & Dinner) 540.337.1090 beveragetractor.com [email protected] Virginia’s Largest Full-Line Kubota Dealer WWW.RUSSELLTOURS.COM

Katie Eberts Hannah Fries Kim O’Connell Mark Ellison Haute Route Inspired by simple outdoor Hannah Fries grew up in New A resident of Arlington, Virginia, Mark Ellison began exploring surroundings like flower gardens Hampshire, spending many Kim O’Connell has written about the southern Appalachian and song birds, Katie Eberts summers hiking and camping conservation, science, and history woods as an undergraduate at Tour de hopes her illustrations will leave in the White Mountains, on and for a range of publications. With Western Carolina University. Tour de you feeling happy. She graduated around the A.T. She graduated her husband and two children, He became fascinated with the from the University of Michigan from Dartmouth College and went she is on a quest to see all 50 beauty and solitude he found Stamps School of Art and Design on to get an MFA in poetry from U.S. states (with only three more there. His doctoral research Mont Blanc and is currently a freelance artist/ Warren Wilson College in North to go) and is a veteran of several at NC State focused on the Mont Blanc illustrator based in the upper Carolina. She has worked as an ambitious road trips. “I was drawn restorative benefits of hiking in peninsula of Michigan. Over the editor at Orion magazine and at to writing the story about Travel wilderness, which opened doors past six years, she has created Storey Publishing — and is the and A.T. Communities because for collaboration with researchers or several feature illustrations as author of the poetry collection Little I’ve learned that the key to road- and practitioners from other well as artwork for two covers for Terrarium as well as the book Forest trip success is to not just visit countries to better understand A.T. Journeys. Some of her other Bathing Retreat. She currently lives the big attractions, but to seek the connections between nature Dolomites clients include: Bon Appétit and in western with her out and be open to unexpected and human health. “Writing Dolomites Delicious Living. “Working on an husband Adam Brown, and son, experiences, food, and people,” about forests along the Trail illustration about healthy forests Amos. “One of life’s greatest joys, I she says. After a recent trip to was intriguing to me because of really appealed to me,” she says. think, is getting to really know Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, Kim its focus on us as the primary Alta Via “Having the opportunity to depict a place,” she says. “…whether that has now added visiting a long list stewards of their health,” he says. plants, animals, and humans in place is a mountain, a river, of A.T. Communities to her future “...not only for our own well-being, Hike 7, 10, 14 or 21 days. one peaceful setting felt like a a section of trail, a patch of woods travel plans with her family. but for the other species that Hike 7, 10, 14 or 21 days. sort of shout-out to the Peaceable in your backyard, or even the share the with us. Kingdom paintings by Edward teaming ecosystem of Do the best parts of these Hicks. It was such a treat.” a city block.” Do the best parts of these famous hikes without having 06 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 famous hikes without having to sleep in a dorm room and share a bathroom. Hike the greatest trails in the European Alps and stay in 4-star hotels.

From $1,450 per week 1/2 board (Breakfast & Dinner) Russell Tours Hiking in Beautiful Places Russell Tours Russell Tours 854-888-9095 854-888-9095 [email protected] [email protected] WWW.RUSSELLTOURS.COM WWW.RUSSELLTOURS.COM Since 1991 Since 1991

Russell Tour ad.indd 1 2/7/19 2:30 PM Russell Tour ad.indd 1 2/7/19 2:30 PM President’s letter

The A.T. on your lunch break: come work for Show A.T. Communities Dartmouth College Your Love WITH PEACE OF MIND About a year ago, I woke round it. They are key threads in up in an Airbnb in Pawling, New the fabric that maintains the York. Before a full day of meetings, A.T., protects open space and I pulled on my boots, stretched a habitat, and connects residents minute on the deck, and headed and visitors to opportunities to up the hill for a quick hike on the learn about wildlife, native Appalachian Trail. How did we plants, natural history, and cul- find this lovely landing spot? It tural roots. The volunteer vaca- was advertised as the “A.T. House.” tions that some Appalachian On a recent Pennsylvania trip, Trail maintaining clubs offer are I stayed at the Shawnee Inn, a an interesting crossover between historic property that sits across hospitality and hands-on sup- SPOT TECHNOLOGY HAS OVER the Delaware River from the port, turning Trail maintenance SPOT XTM SPOT GEN3® 2-WAY SATELLITE MESSENGER GPS SATELLITE GPS MESSENGER 6,000 RESCUES INITIATED! forested hills of Delaware Water into a revenue-generating, com- $249.99 $149.99

FLEX PLANS AS LOW AS PLANS AS LOW AS Gap National Recreation Area. munity-building experience. dartgo.org/itc-jobs $14.95/mo $19.99/mo Visit www.FindMeSPOT.com/ATC to learn more! Approximately 25 miles of the As we have begun to engage

Appalachian Trail run through this park. The Shawnee A.T. Communities to lay the groundwork for the Appalachian SPOT19_PrintAd_ATC_7.375x9.625.indd 1 3/1/19 12:42 PM routinely sends guests out on A.T. adventures and offers Trail Conservancy’s new Geotourism initiative, we’ve found guided hikes on other trails in the area, along with river trips a deep commitment to marrying local business and eco- and meals made with garden-fresh produce. nomic development, tourism promotion, and conservation. In Hot Springs, , the Smoky Mountain In the Harlem Valley — where I woke up last spring to an Diner offers a “Hungry Hiker” burger on its lunch menu. early morning hike from the doorstep of the “A.T. House”— Farther south, near Bryson City, the River’s End restaurant the collaboration that the Harlem Valley Appalachian Trail is sandwiched between the best of land and water recreation Community is fostering to support its Geotourism work has — the A.T. and the whitewater of the Nantahala River. spawned a new level of cooperation among local, regional, From Georgia to , close to 50 communities and coun- and national conservation groups active in the area. These ties are designated Appalachian Trail Communities. These groups are now exploring how to create a unified voice for and many other towns, villages, and small cities near the Trail conservation in the Harlem Valley and put their collective are hospitality centers not only for the A.T., but also for all muscle behind shared priorities. kinds of other outdoor recreation experiences. These com- This spring, take some time to explore a community near munities are where visitors launch their explorations of the the Trail. Use it as a base camp for a day or two, take a hike Wild East — the important corridor of open space that con- and enjoy a meal, fine companionship, and the hospitality, sists of and surrounds the Appalachian Trail. Where hikers, local culture, and events that these places distinctively offer. walkers, bicyclists, paddlers, birders, and you name it provi- Your dollars and commitment to the health of the wild and sion, refuel, and rest up. rural landscapes accessible from these communities will have Each one of these communities offers travelers something more ripple effects than you can imagine. unique to explore, experience and, learn. They invite visitors Suzanne Dixon / President & CEO to linger — to arrive early, stay longer, or take time off the Trail NOW AVAILABLE or the river or the road — and immerse themselves in some- thing new. These communities are also connecting points for steward- BREEZE LT GTX ship of the Trail and the wild and rural landscapes that sur- VASQUE.COM VASQUEFOOTWEAR

08 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 letters At Beyond Boundaries we are committed to making the 225 miles world a better place. Chambersburg many amazing people on the Trail and list of finished hikers and their Trail The Hippie Man line Gettysburg having such a great time, I wished the names. I meet a few hikers each year encourages everyone trip would go on. I realized I already had while day hiking near my home in Penn- to clean up and care everything I needed on my back, so I got sylvania. I offer treats when I can for Washington DC for the outdoors. 85 miles permission from my boss to continue awesome Trail conversation. It is really Each Hippie Man shirt hiking. My 30-day trip turned into a great to see their names and/or their comes in a recyclable six-month adventure. I ended up having pictures in my favorite magazine. bag meant to be reused the time of my life on the Appalachian Gerald Mistal to pick up trash. Trail. My adventure came to an end Bethlehem, Pennsylvania when I summited Springer in mid-De- We also love to give back so cember. I returned home, constantly A greatly improved magazine. 10% of every Hippie Man wishing I was still on the Trail. Life is I am a life member and don’t get out much shirt purchase goes better there. Now I wonder what great anymore on the Trail, and the magazine directly back to the ATC. adventure will come next in my life. keeps me in touch with what’s been going Christopher “Just Dave” Dube on. The Winter issue was read cover to Hippie Man believes Townsend, Delaware cover. Thanks for the new version. that a #MoveForward Bill “Macon” Jones mentality is a motivation Love the Winter issue! I t Macon, Georgia to keep moving starts with the fabulous photography forward, whether in You guys Rock! It takes so that includes the advertisements. And life or on the trails. much to maintain a trail so long, rug- all the articles relate well to the theme ged, and with so much foot traffic. Yet of the “Wild East.” Good work. A.T. Journeys welcomes your comments. the only time I found myself hopping Wendy “Tiger Bomb” Pacek The editors are committed to providing balanced gobboutfitters.com over downed trees was the day after a Altoona, Florida and objective perspectives. Not all letters received hurricane (and Trail maintainers were may be published. Letters may be edited for already out there). I know that your I always look forward to clarity and length. work goes beyond Trail maintenance, A.T. Journeys showing up in my mail- but this is just one example of the excel- box. It is the one magazine I read cover- lent work you do. Thank you! to-cover. I do like the new design, [email protected] Kreg “Carrot Top” Moccia although I will miss the “As I See It” Letters to the Editor Don’t miss the fun! damascus Peabody, Massachusetts column. This was a favorite of mine. I Appalachian Trail Conservancy enjoyed the inspirational stories of P.O. Box 807 virginia Began a 30-day backpacking everyday hikers. One thing that I Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807 trip to escape from everyday life and implore you not to change in the spring stress in Carlisle, Pennsylvania last issue is the feature dedicated to the TRAIL DAYS MAY 17-19 June — heading northbound with no previous year’s 2,000-milers. I love see- destination in mind. While meeting so ing their pictures and going through the

@doug.hahn.1313 @summitlodgesugarmountain weighed a buck 20 using 35 lb hike was life-style changing The Trail should be a historic Sharing the Trail with wildlife is all spud bars to flip 1,000 pound would be an understatement. Highlights include a hiker landmark preserved forever… part of the experience! boulders and using hand tools Hope it is for you too! Enjoy the parade, educational programs, Take your kids, take your to chop down trees blocking journey! ~ Pagano guest speakers, free gear grandchildren for a hike. There @appalachian_adv the path. I admired their effort is absolutely nothing like the I ordered my Wild East Poster and really appreciated not Sent in my reservation repair,repair, music,music, food,food, andand more.more. Appalachian Trail. Get to know and proudly donated to the having wet feet for a few for 2 weeks with Konnarock. Stop by the Appalachian Trail nature, respect it, not trash it. keep the A.T. wild for future more days. Thank you all This will be my 17th time on Conservancy booth in the town generations. for what you do. Trail crew. Real Trail magic. park to enter to win prizes. @davisfromvegastotrail ~Richard Gehring park to enter to win prizes.

The Wild East is so important @johnny_nature.seed Started my flip-flop from m an an B ow to protect. Our backyard I passed some Trail workers [the Flip-Flop Festival] in 17’!

y J o rd For more information visit: to nature. in Maine, college students Good times…To say my thru- traildays.us b photo 10 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 overlook

The Trail Community in Bloom A.T.CAMP plan ahead

✓ Register Thank for A.T. Campsites to Reduce Crowding A.T. Camp was designed to help groups plan You their hikes while avoiding overcrowding and related natural and social impacts at camping areas. Register your hiking group and receive for Your immediate notifications Generous Tribute A.T. - White Mountains National Forest just before Franconia Ridge. By Aaron Ibey and Memorial Gifts With spring comes not only a return of impassible due to multiple downed limbs and trees. ATcamp.org warmer weather and greenery but also hiking boots In Shenandoah, the central and south districts were and packs. The Teahorse Hostel in my home town, completely closed through . And, naturally, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, opened its doors the northern section of the Trail is still under snow recently and already our A.T. Community is busy cover. Trail conditions will test the mettle of our with hikers. Harpers Ferry and the Appalachian crews and overseers as they work to ensure the path Trail Conservancy will be hosting its annual Flip is open and ready for our visitors. But, as always, Flop Festival at the end of April and hikers, choosing they up for the challenge. a “flip-flop” thru-hike, will come into town for last Whether you are a hiker, a Trail worker, or a minute guidance and workshops before heading out Trail neighbor there is much you can enjoy and on their adventure. While originally started as just appreciate about the Appalachian Trail. There is an A.T.-focused event, the Flip Flop Festival has also much you can do to help protect and preserve grown into a town-wide activity, involving all types it for others. Hikers: remember to practice Leave No of local businesses and bringing in visitors well Trace and follow guidelines on day and overnight beyond A.T. hikers. group sizes. Be respectful when you arrive in our In addition to Harpers Ferry, A.T. Communities Trail communities. Volunteers: you have a great up and down the Trail are making similar plans. In opportunity to act as Trail Ambassadors while out my area, our newest town, Round Hill, Virginia is doing your work, so make sure to stop and chat gearing up for its Designation Day Appalachian Trail with hikers that you see, sharing both your love Festival. Planned for June, the event will coincide for the Trail and ways that they can also give back with the northbound thru-hiker “bubble” arriving with their time and membership dollars. And A.T. in our area. From the early days of Damascus Trail Communities: continue to work to promote the Trail, FULL LISTINGS: Days, to now multiple communities along the entire not only to outside visitors, but also with your own appalachiantrail.org/WinterTributes2019 Trail, we are seeing the importance and benefit residents, making sure that everyone knows what a hikers bring to these small towns. wonderful resource is just outside (or a short drive Share your LOVE MAKE A GIFT: In addition to hikers, you’ll also notice a lot of from) their back door. for the A.T. with a volunteers out with weed whackers and saws. This gift memb ership appalachiantrail.org/tribute past year’s late winter storms have really wreaked See you on the Trail! appala chiantrail.org/giftmemb ership havoc on the Trail — with miles of sections almost Sandra Marra / Chair

12 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 Pamela “Chilly” Parker, Springer Mountain, Georgia. Photo by Bob Parker Janes Bald, North Carolina. By Aaron Ibey  healthy forests The Health of forests along the A.T. is integral to the vitality of the Wild East By Mark Ellison / Illustration By Katie Eberts

We find on the Appalachian Trail a reprieve from modern life full of noise, light, air pollution, and constant connectivity. Exploring the Trail is like going home, or entering a restorative cocoon. Though we have tried to separate ourselves from nature in our urban lives, our health is inseparable from that of the Earth. We are responsible for tending the relationship with the forests of the Wild East now, helping to replenish them similar to how the Cherokee and other indigenous cultures have for centuries. Since the first section of the Appalachian Trail opened in 1923, millions of people have set foot on it seeking an escape in wild nature that is freeing, awe inspiring, and life changing; using it as an exit ramp from frenetic schedules, invasive noise, and incessant demands on our attention to some of the most splendid landscapes in the country. The U.S. population that year was 111 million, it now eclipses 327 million, bringing with it profound impacts. Population increases in the eastern U.S. have multiplied our carbon footprint, with the forests of the Appalachians being a crucial carbon absorption

14 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 stress, and makes us smarter. The call of the junco, hemlock woolly adelgid. Without them, the waxwing, or barred owl, the gentle flow of a ecology of the forests is impacted as is the di- stream, the radiant red leaves of a maple floating versity of native trout in the mountain streams. through the air, or the scent of fir trees, are all soft Researchers are enlisting the help of laricobius fascinations that help to heal our attention ca- beetles, which consume wooly adelgids, to save pacities. High quality, natural settings free of the hemlocks. The peaks of the mountain range noise, human structures, and other distractions are kissed with spruce-fir forests bringing a offer the most health benefits as do areas with the taste of Canada to the southern United States, highest biodiversity. The Appalachians offer some but these too are under siege. The Fraser fir is of the most biodiverse areas in in decline due to an infestation by the balsam North America, including over 158 woolly adelgid. And numerous invasive species Left: Beech forest and different tree species. Spanning 11 like feral hogs, kudzo, and English ivy are deci- whorled wood aster along the degrees of latitude and over 6,500 mating native plants. A.T. in the Roan Highlands feet in elevation, the diverse habi- Forests cradle our well-being. When we look Tennessee/North Carolina. tats of the A.T. likely harbor more into nature, we gaze into a mirror reflecting our By Jerry Greer; Right: rare, threatened, and endangered priorities. How often do we quiet our mind and Barred owl on the A.T. species than any other national listen to the forest to learn what it needs? Tho- near the southern border of park unit. reau described tramping eight or ten miles Shenandoah National Park. Until the early 1800s, Appa- through the snow to keep an appointment with By Paul Hammond lachian forests remained rela- a beech-tree, yellow birch, or pine. Perhaps we tively unscathed. But the arrival should slow down and do the same, while envi- of the Industrial Revolution in- sioning the A.T. with the same wonder. Realiz- troduced a period of rapid expansion of logging ing what a gift and responsibility it truly is to fuel the growing U.S. economy. Railroads should fuel our desire to protect it. and steam-generated power made lumber an industrial commodity at a large scale. By the early 1900s, the majority of eastern forests had been cut at least once, leaving a barren, ecolog- ically-degraded landscape resulting in erosion area in North America. Climate change has and poor water quality. serious implications for endangered species Since the Appalachian Trail’s inception, the such as moose, the red shouldered hawk, forests it passes through have been in stages of loggerhead shrike, and Virginia big eared bat, restoration from human and natural incursions. Forests cradle as well as plants like the yellow lady’s slipper, The Weeks Act in the early 1900s helped con- “ and pristine sparkling streams. If left intact, the serve over 50 national forests in the eastern our well-being... Wild East can become an oasis in a nature U.S., eight of which the A.T. crosses through. desert, home to species fleeing other areas due Deforestation, invasive species, fire suppres- How often do we to climate change and urbanization. sion, and other human interventions have quiet our mind Benton MacKaye envisioned the Appalachian weakened these ecosystems. Stalwarts of the Trail as more than a narrow corridor, but a space Appalachians like the mighty American chest- and listen to the to help join humans and nature. The A.T. is a thread nut, graceful eastern hemlock, and aromatic tying balds, bogs, meadows, forests, and fauna Fraser fir have come under siege. forest to learn together in a mutually supportive and resilient The American chestnut provided nourishment what it needs? ecosystem. The forest enchants us and we learn for bears, turkey, and deer and was an important more each day how it heals us. It offers the gift of part of the ecosystem and economy of the eastern escaping the stress and distractions of life. United States until the chestnut blight wiped out An abundance of research, from Japan to the tree’s population in the early 1900s. Efforts Finland to the U.S. describes how spending time to reintroduce a blight-resistant variety are in nature enhances creativity, increases well- showing promise. Hemlocks majestically tower Learn more about the Wild East at: ” being, mends the immune system, reduces over the forest floor, but face destruction by the wildeast.appalachiantrail.org

16 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 17 Buttermilk Falls, New Jersey. By Raymond trailheadatc dirt / highlights / events / updates Salani III

hiking basics Know Before You Go Hiking even just a portion of the Appalachian Trail is the adventure of a lifetime, but you’ll enjoy that adventure even more if you’re prepared. Brush up on all the basics buttermilk falls from proper gear and food to health and safety.

There are numerous waterfalls along the Basics: Footwear / Blisters A.T. — and nearby side/blue-blazed trails — The most important thing is that shoes fit well and that make for great viewing and destination are broken-in. Nothing spoils the fun or ends a hike hikes. At roughly 200 feet, Buttermilk Falls quicker than blistered feet. On a day hike, broken-in is the highest waterfall in New Jersey and is tennis shoes can be a better choice than brand-new accessible via a 1.6-mile hike on a blue-blazed boots. When carrying a backpack or hiking on rocky trail just off the A.T., or steps away from a terrain, more substantial hiking shoes or boots may parking area for those who don’t want to hike be desirable, but some hikers walk the entire ​A.T. in. The striking waterfall is also part of a loop in running shoes or cross-trainers. Remember, the hike, which includes the Appalachian Trail, heavier your pack, the more substantial a shoe you glacially-formed Crater Lake, Hemlock Pond, will need. Shop for boots in the afternoon as feet and several vista points with views of the swell throughout the day. Thru-hikers can expect surrounding Kittatinny Mountains. their feet to expand over the course of their hike, so if between sizes, choose the larger size. ¶ To help prevent blisters, break in new shoes or boots gradually before you begin your hike. As soon as you feel any discomfort or “hot spot” developing, stop hiking and place moleskin or duct tape over areas developing soreness.

appalachiantrail.org/hikingbasics

Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 19 trailhead A.T. – Bear Mountain, By Aaron Ibey A View Worth Saving By Peter J. Barr

Condition of the historic fire lookout tower atop the A.T.’s Rich Mountain — overlooking Hot Springs, North Carolina — became so unsafe by 2017 that it was closed indefinitely to hikers seeking to enjoy its 360-degree vantage point. North Carolina Rich Mountain Tower Falling into disrepair in recent years, it suffered mightily from sustained vandalism and the stresses of weather extremes at its 3,670-foot elevation. ¶ The Rich Mountain tower straddles the state line and boundaries of North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest and Tennessee’s Cherokee National Forest. The 31-foot lookout was erected by the The Rich Mountain U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in 1932 and utilized for fire Tower is just one of six detection for the next six decades. It has since remained a fire towers that have beloved scenic viewpoint along the A.T. for visiting hikers, been restored along the and a historic structure that portrayed a bygone era of Trail in Georgia, North natural resource protection methodology. ¶ Too treasured Carolina, and Tennessee. They include: of a landmark to lose, a partnership comprised of the Forest Albert Mountain, NC; Fire Lookout Association (FFLA), the USFS, the Appalachian , NC; Trail Conservancy (ATC), and Carolina Mountain Club joined , NC; forces to complete restoration of the tower in 2018. ¶ , NC/TN; The restoration was made possible by funding from the and Camp Creek Bald, NC/TN. The Blood ATC’s License Plate Grant Programs in North Carolina and National Trails Day Mountain, GA, and Tennessee. Grants made to the North Carolina FFLA — a Roan , NC/TN, JUNE 1st non-profit that seeks to preserve, restore, and interpret fire warden cabins Thousands of Events. One Adventurous Day. Find your historic fire lookout towers — leveraged an additional are used as A.T. shelters. own adventure and celebrate National Trails across the U.S. $100,000 from the USFS to achieve the project. ¶ The Rich Mountain tower received a full structural overhaul, including americanhiking.org/national-trails-day new roofing, wooden cab walls and deck railings, lightning rods and grounding wiring, fresh paint, installation of durable, vandal-proof metal-grate flooring and stairs, and even a security camera to mitigate vandalism. ¶ Both the tower’s

★ ★ venerable history and its stunning panorama from the top are ★ ★ ★ ★ now preserved and accessible to A.T. hikers as a reward for ★ ★ their long climb up the mountain. ★

★

★

Protect Yourself Congressional Update One of the greatest risks to your health while Find out what’s happening on Capitol hiking the A.T. is from contracting a tick-borne Hill — and how it will affect the Trail. disease. This most recent map from the CDC illustrates how widespread reported cases of Lyme For more information visit: disease have become on the East Coast. Risk is appalachiantrail.org/takeaction heightened during spring and summer.

Educate and protect yourself: cdc.gov/ticks tickencounter.org appalachiantrail.org/health The newly restored tower offers 360-degree views from Rich Mountain. By Shannon Millsaps \ NC Forest Fire Lookout Association

20 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 21 Barrett Alan / Earl Grey Barrett Mary / Purple Haze Barron Aifric / Fizzy Barron Ian / Sweeps Barron Owen / Bear — Barrow Jess / Bluegrass Bartell Jared / Mush Our list of determined individuals Barwin Rebecca / Flip-Flop Basile Joseph / Sir Juice includes those who reported hike completions of the entire Trail Bass Rebekah Bates, Jr. Robert / BobKat (thru-hikes or section-hikes) to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Batson Jason / Tickle Me Elmo Bauhart Milena / Doc since last spring. Baxter Robert / No Name — Beadles Gary / Gary Beale Anya / Onion Beaver Jacob / Floss 2 Behrens Greg / gbolt Congratulations to all 1,197 Bellavance Eric / Poncho Beller Ron / RonRico 0 determined hikers who reported their completion of the Bennett Jeff / Switch Benson Josh / Broken Seal 0 entire Appalachian Trail in 2018. Bergholz Izzy / BUTTER Berheide Daniel / Chug Berman Dave / Ion 0 Berman Sarah / Earth Heart Bermudez Nick / Red Eye For the third year in a row, the number of thru-hikers who reported Bernabé Cécilia / Sprout Bernhard Todd / P.C. completing a flip-flop itinerary was greater than the number of Bernloehr Matthias / Bernie M Matthew / Blueberry those reporting a southbound thru-hike, although northbounders are Bess Amanda / PeWee Beyard Sean / Yo-yogi i the largest category by far again. We received applications from Bieber Tom / Detail Birt Ron / Buckeye Bishop Jennifer / Loon l hikers as far away as Bulgaria and New Zealand. Black Mickey / Marathon Blaine Jeremy / Rambo e Blanchard Amanda / V Blanco Manuel / Fix Gear Starting later this year, 2,000-milers will be able to connect, view Blue Dawanna / Sally Forth r Blum David / Just Dave and upload photos, and share their accomplishments with each other Boeckel Ben / Stinger Boegner Joshua / Olli s through social media. Find out more at: Bohner Lee / Loner-Bohner Boley Krystal — Boling Kyle / Peach appalachiantrail.org/2000milers Bolton Mary-Ann / Crow Bomar Ann / Spinelli Northbound˚ 778 Bookout Scott / Spot Armour Scott / Pothos Botbyl Glenn Armstrong Maximilian / Bloodhound Böttger Manuel / Moose(poop) 2018 Boulamatsis George / Pace Abate Julian / Mayday Aschenbach Brenda / Tootsie southbound˚ 135 Bowden Brian Abell Jared / Walmart Special Asman Connor / Brand New Bowdon Billy / The Skid Abernethy Heather / Scout Aubin Eric / Professor Bowie Carolyn / Jackalope Abrams Lynsey / Stubbs Auwaerter Carolyn / Incubator Bowker Tom / Granite Man flip-flop˚ 139 Adams Jake / Sandals Awad Luke / Metric Bowling Derek / Bear Magnet Adams Rachel / Ninja Snail Azmat Saarem / trainwreck Bowman Terry / Bar-killer Affronti John / Tentcents Babcock Tessa / Big Money Bradford Kelsey / Ducky section hiker˚ 198 Aggarwal Amit / Gump Babiarz Craig / Orange Bradley Joshua / Dine N’ Dash Aguilar Monica / Moss Bacastow Richard / Highway Bradley Sarah / Tern Akers Nancy / Bluegrass Bagge David / 13 Brimberry Darrell / Next Step Ambrozewicz Stewart / Rip Van Winkle Bailey Jerry / Bear Snack Britton Collin / Wild Turkey Anderson Gerry / Ozzie Baker Brett / Wizard Bromen Pete / EASY Pete Anderson Harvey / Commander Baker Jim / Shivers’ Dad Brony Sebastian / Forager Anderson Heather / Anish Baker Larry / Fox Jim / Poppa J Anderson Ted / MILES Balaban Karen / Second Wind Brothers Richard / Ulysses Andrade Jeffrey / Sure Win Balding Kenny / Kenya Brown Dennis / Incline Andrews William / CapCap Baldree Rhianna / Needles Brown Haley / Hales-A-Blazin Appleby Bill / 55 SOG Bang-Larsen Eva-Charlene / Novegan Brown Samantha / Postcard Archila Saul / Red Hawk Barbash Eddie / Steady Brown Sibley / Possibly Archuleta John / Ping (Mountain) Barber Jessica / Summit Browning Christy / Koopa Aretz Bonnie / Burdock Bardoul Jordane / Browning Jonathan / Big-Ooh Armour Erik / Nix Barlow Phil / Bald Eagle

Sunrise on . By Adam Richardson Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 23 Goschka MD Andrew / Andy and Brandy Hugentobler Carla / Miss Chad “Relentless” Skinner Jim “Poppa J” Brooks & grandson Graham Andrew / Peanut Hugentobler Pius / Swiss Rachael “Honey Bear” Paszko Grant Russell / Hughes Scott / HELL-YA Jesus & David “Hoot” Gibson Gray Kenneth / Zeppelin Human Nico / Lux Green Scott Hunsucker Amy / Slider Grice Autumn / G. Wheezy Hunt Kayt / Taco Groleau Tina / Lucero Hurlburt Josh / Spark Grover Karen / Soulshine Huss Brandy / Andy and Brandy Grover Scott / The Kid Ibargüen Saoirse / Story Guenter Eric / HD Icenogle Maria / Groceries Hadley Bruce / Crazy Diamond Ingmire Bryce / Rex Hagen Robert / Chincook Ingram Scott / Glider Hager Herbert / Coffee-Maker Irwin Catherine / Feathers Haldeman Jonathon / Bolt Isaacson Jeffrey / Half Full John “Kuzzy” Kusmits & Bill “Crabby” Lovell Haldeman Koleen / Hommus Jackson Morgan / Cosmic Hall John / The General Jackson Robin / Long Legs Hallowell Tim / Mission Jacobi Wyatt / Backtracker Hammond Ron / Donut Jakubonis Arturas / Mouse Trap Hanck Philippe / Terminator Jarrell Bryan / Iron Foot Bruhn Anja / DirtyGirl Cenker Jennifer / Moo Bear Cornman Conlan / E-Street Dube Christopher / Just Dave Hand William / Mumbles Jeffers Anna / Dr. J Bruhn Nadine / Valkyrie Cerio Alexander / Good Push Cosgrove Thomas / Cosmo Duda Graham / Gramps Hanes Mike / Forager Jeffers Jackson / Butcher Buchan Matt / 2/3 Chae Hoon / Patches Costello Meghan / Send It Duff Sarah / Sunset Hansen Evan / Sweet Jensen Mika / Snicker Bear Buckley David Chalmers Nicóle / PaceCar Coulon Rick / Coolio Duggan Brian / Sublyme Hanzlik Kelsey / Pixie Jenssen Greg / Baba Ganoush Bucklin Asha / Sincerity Chancey Nicholas / Fable Couvreur Daniel / The General Duncan Andrew / Wallace Harman Andrew / Fedex Johnson Amanda / Mandar Bull Allie / Thunder Chandler Reece / Wiggles Craig Taylor / Firepink Dunn Caitlyn / Dirt Devil Harris Colton / Zoltan Johnson Ryan / Candy Bullard Levon / Hard Hat Charette Merrill / Captain Ahab Crawford Jeremy / Happy Dunn Rachael / Battle Lion Harris Daniel / Scars Johnson Suzann / Wheezie Bulman Ashley / Infinity Charles Ken / Cocoa Cromartie Jr. John / Pastor John Dwight Art / Monk Harris Natalie / Stripes Johnston-Carter William / Not Yet Burd Andrew / Snuggs Chase Brandon / Moxie Crome Jake / Culligan Dye Jason / Choo Choo Haselbauer Gretchen / French Fry Jolly Frederick / Santiago Burger Trey / Thumper Chase Steve / CHACO Cronin Craig / New York Eckhart Jonathan / Sparky Haskell Eric / Running Griz Jones Anna / Sweet Tea Burghouwt Esther / Snow Angel Chastain Zachary / half -full Cross Chuck / WanderingDad Egan M. Dean / Machine Hayes Evan / Baloo Jones Branden / Moose Dylan / Pickle Chatham Meg / Me Cross Josh / Aladdin Egan Mary / Squeaky Hayes William / Goodwillhiking Jones Chelsea / Roast Burke Kathryn / Blueberry Childre Elliott / River Dance Cullinan Patrick / T5000 Eichhorn Clemens / squirrel Haywood Griffin / Jones Dustin / Mr. Jones Burt Jim / Sandals Chipka Jamie / Sunshine Terry / Midwest Mama Ekström C. / The Rock Hazlip John / Jones Michael / Swish Butler Joshua / Hazmat Cholewa Jr. Dan / The Machine Currotto Carol / Turnip Elens Kevin / Gump Heard Steven / Nubs Jones Zachary / Cheddar Buttner Jane / from Canada Christianson Charles / Willi Curtis Catlin / Pika Elinski Emily / Wiki Hecker Laurel / Duracell Jordan Michael / Gunslinger Bychowski Mark / Pepper Jack Church Bobby / Slower Curtis Colin / Crazy Brit Ellingsworth Andrew / Bloodbeard Hecsko Radek / Czech Mix Jourden Benjamin / Big Ben Byer Dennis / Doctor Who Church Vickie / Slow Curtis Jason / Highlander Elliott Chelsea / Peanut Heilmann Bob / Bobaganoosh Jürgens Kay / Wanderer Byerley Michael / Troop Leader Cimini Tess / Rebound Dahinden Nicholas / Nicky Dynamite Ellwanger Kerry / Valk Heller-Bair Ilah / Mareekie Justis Glenn / Scoutmaster Callison David / Giggles Clark Regina / Queen Dake Bill / Comfortably Numb Englander Jeff / Penguin Hémond Alexandra / Produce Kaczmarek Joseph / haznohorse Canham Dylan / G.D. Clerk Aaryn / Barb Ross D’Andrea Elizabeth / Sweet Treats Epstein Gaspar / La Copa Henderson Carolyn / Harry & the Kahn Preston / Gandolphin Capello Nathan / Day Hiker Clerkin Samantha / Firefly Daubert Christopher / TR/Trail Runner Espie Hanna / French Toast Hendersons Karl Khalil / Friend Carducci Doug / Epic Clevenger Chris / Turn Around David Ashley / Strong Eustance Zachery / Big Toe Herr Daniel / Lt. Dan Karner Sarah Carlin Nicholas / Dracula Cloud Kate / Feathers David Jules / Just Evans Bobby / Batman (& Robin) Hesleitner Michael / Double Stack Kazmierczak Matthew / Buckeye Carney Christopher / Cruise Cochran Cynthia / Olive Branch Davis Jonathan Everett Devin / Jukebox Hess James / Kearney Tom / Buddha Carney Tracy / Hope to… Cody Philip / Wolfey Bizzerk Davis Michael / Navster Eyre Jane / Purple Rain Hess Lorrie / Easy Bake Keatts Corrinna / Mighty Mouse Carothers Greg / Bones Cofer Kelli / Savage Davis Shawn / Jésus Fachet Stefan / Blessings Hickerson Rob / Furnace Keckley Gary / Darth Vader Carroll Ben / Squirvert Cofer Kelli / Savage DeCarolis Mike / Doc Faires Jack / Col Jack Hileman, Jr. Bob / Roadrunner Keith Clark / Big Sky Carswell Bruce / Q-Tip Cohen Jon / Jetson Dehondt Kiki Fallin Don / DJ Himstedt Curtis / Easily Forgotten Kellogg Richard / Seeker Carter Sam / Pony Express Coleman Michaela / Pronator Del Molino Sam / S”amwise” Fallis Lauren / Makin’-It Himstedt Pam / Bunny Tracks Kelly Jane / Pinto Casanova Jovito / Bungee Collins Jessica / Close Call Del Negro Marcus / Wisecrack Faries Sherrie / Blue Butterfly Hodgson Josiah / Shepherd Kelly Kevin / Hungry Cat Cash Samantha / Cruz Colo Michael / NoRush Dempsey Matthew / Michigan Fator Grant / Sani Hodlin Kevin / NoDoz Kelly Tim / Cheshire Cat Cason Madison / Toots Conroy Michael / Downeast Denton John / Johnnie Walker Fawcett-Davis Devon / Mountie Hoersting Bobo / 47 Kemmery Patrick / Hack Cason Trey / Paw-Paw Cook Cody / Wild Hog Deom Adam Felland Daniel / Dirty Dan Hoffman Alexander / Lost Boy Kepner Mary / Wander Woman Castignoli James / O.G. Lost & Found Cooley Tyler / Puddle Derriso Bryce / Oats Feng Liu / Little Horse Mike “Medicine Man” Rohman Hoffman Joe / Mr. Zip Kern David / RC Kinglet Cedeno Zelzin / QUETZAL Coons Randy / Bilbo Deterding Kristen / Elmo Ferguson Sarah / Honey Badger Hoffman Micah / Hot-Rocks Kerschner Kelly / Throwdown Cenker Gabriel / Deep Cormier Louis Detweiler Rodney / Handstand Fess James / No Excuse Hoffman Robert / Knee Deep Kersting Lydon / Rocket Deubert Chuck / No Doubt Fibich Michael / Pebbles Hoffmann Michèle / Peppermint Kidder Liz / Handstand Soul Train Holcomb Austin / Noodle Kiec Michelle / Panther Devlin Pat / Pirate Fick Kyle / Fox Matthew / Gray Giacomelli, Jr. Joseph / A$$hole Glow Worm Field Noel / Mainer Holden Trey / Buffalo Kierspe George / Privy Inspector Dillon Benjamin / Friars Colin / WHIP Gibb Keke / Frank Huck Fik Jonathon / Mittens Hollingsworth Matt / Rainbow Killian Bob / Traildog Dishmon Tyler / Friedman Katie / Bear Box Gibson David / Hoot Bags Findley Luke Holman Jessica / Pepperette Kim Heesook / Mojave Dismukes Catherine / Fruehbeis Florian / Monk Gibson Doug / Twofer QuickFix Finkle Jay / Jay Holmes Izzy / Happy Feet Kim Tae / Crunchy Diverde Alex / Michael / Farmall Giesen John / No Prob-Llama Flower Power Fisbeck Lisa / Sunshine Holsted Adam / Jet Kim-Biggs Jack / Ripley Diverde Allison / Fullerton-Smith Quentin / New Zealand Gilbert Clayton / Tortoise SONIC Fitzgerald Jack / Jams Hooper William / Crockett King Jay / Shaggy Dixon Hannah / Fuqua Randy / Flash Gill Harrison / HILLS tiptoe Fitzpatrick Brandon / Smalls Too Hopson Gene / Jeans King Margaret / Maggie Christine “Nemophilist” Todd Dobsevage Ruth / Gallant Robert / No Breaks Giuffre Jacqueline / Emergency Tuna Jack Rabbit Hopson Jr. Tom / Bugs Kirk Rebecca / Moonbeam Dockins Marty / Bamadog Flagler Sean / Gallaway Kavin / Tarzan aka E.T. Giggles Fletcher Chad / RANCHER Hopwood Autumn / Oops Kish Hannah / Mama Kish/Gremlin Dolman Megan / Gamblin Bryan / 50/50 Given Kat / Muse Vinegar Flinn Jr. Lawrence / Webuster Hopwood Sean / Foxy Klos Kathleen / Squeaks Domby Art / Garbett Megan / Ghost Foot Godbout Nicolas / Baby Bird Charizard Florac Bill / One Boot Hostetler Clifton / Meatloaf Kluchinski Carol / Maps Domingo, Jr. A.J. / Gardineer William / Black Dog Golding Roderick / Reboot CAMO Floyd John / Onyx Hostetler Jesse / Flip Knautz Dale / Jawz Domingus Jeffrey / Garon Felix / Beero Goldman Jeff / Gardener Trail Magic Forrest Randy / Probation Termination Hostetler Lance / Astro Knobloch Alyssa / Silverback Donaldson Nathan / Gaulin Dayze / Quesadilla Goldreich Staav / Cribbage CraftE Fournier William / Wit Hostetler Marlisa / Gourmet Kocher Mark / Brass Rat Donovan Art / Geary Nick / Mule Goodrum Geoffrey / Happy Hermit Ponyboy Fowler Lee / Princess Howard Jackie / Sprout Koellner Connor / Who Doughty Dylan / Geertz Clara / Avalon Goodwill Gordon / Seneca Robin Fowler Maggie / Legacy Hrozencik Bob / Mag-Lev Koenigsberg Ava / Stark Douglas Sian / Ghelli Federico / Hustler Gordon Jake / Beagle Douwes Frank Fox Declan / PHOTON Hudnell Ron / Tar Heel Koeppe Holger / the flying snail

24 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 25 Martin Jason / Hank Hill Mills Kristen / Magic Pants Orange-Alvarez Alexander / Wildfire Romano Christian / Snot Rocket Martin Kris / Mighty Duck Minarik Bill / Hops Osgood Shawn / Twister “Sharkbait,” “Traveler,” “Honey,” Romesser Andrea / Fay Martin Michelle / Edward Shitterhands Minnick Elizabeth / Ouillette Kyle / Lucky “Moon,” “Ben,” “Rose,” “Candy,” Rorie Daniel / Preach Martin Neal / Gentleman Miskelly Darby / Bliss Owings Mala / Mrs. T “Charley Horse” Rorie Stacey / Doc Martin Scott / Bomber Moccia Kreg / Carrot Top Pacheco Elliot / Beats Rosenfield Emma / Wildlife Martin Shirley / Quiet One Moe Rud / No Chill Palmer Darren / Big Bunny Rosner Stephanie / Twinkle Mason Alex / Puff Puff Moehrle George / Mud Papadatos Michael / Kickstand Ross Ian / Cinco Maggie “Legacy” Fowler Masterson Reinu / Bear Claw Mohn Ron / Captain Black Pape Jenny / Squeeze Ross Mary / Nemo Mathers John / Gypsy Montelongo Yolanda / Houdini Paradis Doug / Ihavgon/Rocket Turtle Rosser Andrew / Grumpy Matson Bruce / RTK Shauna / Liminal Parker Gregory / Quicktoez Rowe Luke / Candyman Matthews Jonathan / TRAINWRECK Moore Jeremy / Achilles Parker Natalie / Ibex Rowse Chloe / Zellow Mauldin Scott / Daddy LongLegs Moore Lorinda / Cajunfire Parker Scott / El Diablo Royals Zachary / The Revenant Mazur Eamonn / Irish AF Moran Jason / Pace Car Parkman Adam / Geco Rubinoff Jason / BeanWolf McAdams Trey / King Arthur Morgan Greg / Cheesy Paszko Rachael / Honey Bear Ruelle Lee / Snickers McCarty Morgan / Magpie Morisako Beverly / Princess Paumen David / Cbiscuit Runde Lindsey / Heart Eyes McClafferty Michael / Moose (AZ) Morton Kristen / Daenerys Payne Audrey / Glowstick Russell Keith / Country McConaghy Charlotte / String Cheese Morton Leviticus / Bedhead Peck Benjamin / Big Ben Ruston David / Rabbit McCormick Shane / BEAST Moskowitz Irene / Astro Pereira Adam / Rosey Rutkowski Emily / Bugz McDonald Andy / Ole Moss Amanda / Bloodroot Pernice Vincent / MAD MILES Ryan Adam / Griz McDowell Douglas / OLD STYLE Mueller Kate / Sassafras Perrotti Victor / Hipcat Ryan Rachel / Stonehenge McElwee Brian / Fiction Mulholland Katie / Amazonian Perry Quinn / Soy Sauce Saadawi Danya / Loins of Arabia McGlothlin Asher / A.M. Fog Munkel Chuck / Stubborn Persistence Peterka Michael / Weatherman Sabbe Karel / Deerfoot McGrath Diller / Tom Brady Murphy Brian / Fox Peters Wilson / Growler Saccardi Michael / Deep McGuire James / Chief Murray Joseph / Guinness Petersen Jenna / Slackrack Salar Nancy / Rag Tag Sister McGuire Katie / Inside Out Musty Tyler / Trademark Peterson Heather / Sprinkles Salas Edwin / The Bard McIntire John / Crawdaddy Muttart Stephanie / Snapper Pettinger Julianna / Sour Patch Salmon Traci / Clover McIntire Kathryn / Smiles Myers Daniel / Puddin Keg Pettingill Lee / G.U.S. Sanders Jake / Dozer McKechnie Kelly / Whitewalker Myers Matthew / Milo Pexa Micah / Imua Sandoval Jessica / Donut McKenzie Scott / Caveman Nagy Nicholas / Thighclops Peyla Brennan / Optimism Prime Sapp Koty / Trash Panda McLain Autumn / Fall for Short Napier Randy / good doctor Phelps Craig / Hot Dog Sapp Tyler / Spork McLaughlin Brooke / Molasses Nason Noel / Rick James Phelps Dwight / C-4 Sasina Amanda / Spoons McLenigan Thomas / Hokie Pokie Neas Mark / Zip Phillips Bryce / Oolong Satoh Yukiko / Lost & Found McLennon Kelsey / Silver Bullet Needham Jeff / Birddog Piatt Malina / Juice Box Savage Jessica / Savage Beast McMenemy Mandy / M&M Neiman Michael / Sharkbait Piddington Scott / Voyageur Savage Kevin / Karma Megan “Giggles” Dolman & McNielly Nathan / Biscotti Nelson Rick / Spamtown Pierce Dalton / Prime Minister Scaife Rily / Mumble Mark “Pepperjack” Bychowski McQuiston Brian / Zia Fox Nelson William / willin’ Pine Lindsey / Zoom Zoom Schaeffer Justin / Scratch McReynolds Joshua / Buckeye Newby Alexis / HeatWave Piotrowski Matthew / Flash Schaeffer T. / e-Wolf McShane Kelly / Striker Nighswander Emily / Spider Pitts Paul / Grey Squirrel Schauf Shane / Twoflower McVicker Dennis / Blueliner Nix Charles / Pathfinder Plew Daniel / Beaverpelt Reilly Francis / Chumbawamba Roberts Annie Schillawski Benjamin / Coffeebreak Kolar Kaetlin / Stoic Leiby Tom / Brick Meekins Jon / Turtleman! Noble Amy / Zippy Plumley Stephen / Sonic Supernova Reiner Alex / Krinkles Roberts Paul / Dread Pirate Schiminske Lindsay / Overdrive Kolb Cicely / Cougar Leisenring Don / Turbo Melger Craig / Hodag Norris Joanne / Peaceful Walker Polasek Shelby / Tiny Bytes Reiss Aimee / Strix Robertson Rachael / Blade Schlegel Matthew / Bo Konz Cory / DITCH VI.I.V. Leiva Jane / Crayola Meltzer Rachel / Life Alert Novack John / Sir Bagzy Polcrack Claire / Osprey Reitman Libby / Bumblebee Robichaud William / Science Guy Schoenberg Monika / FloMo Koppenhaver Randall / Diamond Blue Leopard Dustin / Jedi Melvin Maria / Baguette Nutting Christina / Early Bird Pollard Jr. William / Will in Motion Renner Andreas / Breezy Robinson Andrea / Bandaid Schou Liz / Aquamira Snotrocket (Mira) Kotula, DFM Br. / BEAR Lepage Jim / Grey Ghost Mercier Leslie / Bubbles Nypaver Abbie / Kidska Poole Rachel / Mouse Mama Retter Bryony / Poppins Robinson Angie / Odie Schultheis Jade / Elly Kreitz Ashley / Noodle Lerman David / Mr. Peanut Butter Merrill David / Kingsman Obenour Brent / Lucky Boy Pope Alexis / Nameless Reynolds Eiryn / Ray Robinson Blake / DELUXE Schultz Steve / Rufio Krentz Peter / Prophet LeStourgeon Peter / Guppy Méthot Justine / Saucy Feet Occiano Sue / Movin’ Moo Poreda Jason / Compass Reynolds Mark / Tumble Robinson J.D. / Pretty Feet Schwartz James / Cino Kretschmer Kyle / Lieblein Miranda / Not Dead Mettey Eric / Orlando O’Connell John / Beach Bum Porter Gina / SASSY Ricard Rob / 007 Robinson Kirk / Solo Scott Lee / Saruman Krish Nathaniel / Rogue Cartographer Lifgren Demitri / Chairman Meyer Cornelius / Metric O’Donnell III Robert / Handy Man Porter Jordan / Ghost Richard Jerome / Rattler Robinson Roger / Snailtrainer Seibert Gregory / Baldeagle Krohn Angelique / Perky Lilja Oscar / risky business Meyer Lucinde / Moo-T Oesterle Dirk / Earth Porter Ron / Bear Richardson Adam / Gummy Bear Roecker Maximilian / Mad Max Sellers Scott / Pacer Kubin Frank / BoDiesel Lin Liwen Meyers Nika / Early Bird Ogushwitz Jesse / Zipper Post Thomas / Jondi Ringo Jr. Charles Roessler David / Cave-Dave Sellers Victor / Blue Moon Kuhlmann Karen / Bluejay Link Jake / Hot Sauce Michel Dave / Pitchit Oliver Jeff / IBTAT Postal Michael / Samaritan Rios Femando / Concrete Cowboy Rogers Eric / Red Bass Sevier Carl / Professor Kunkleman Jeffrey / Travelinman Lippwe Keith / Ironman Millan Eric Olsen Trent / Hot Sauce Posuniak Tony / Ed Kemper Ritchick Joe / Speedy Rohman Michael / Medicine Man Shaeffer, Jr. J.D. / Giant Kusmits John / Kuzzy Lober Helen / Sweets Millard Victoria / Buddhapest Olson Seth / THOR Shelter Shaker Esq. Ritchie Adele / Smiley Rollings Ashton / Hedwig Shanley Jack / Woody LaBarr Benjamin / Ben Loew Lori / Lucky Penny Miller Chris / Wally O’Neil Shawn / Caesar Pressman Rebecca / Roadrunner Roach Charles / Ironman Rols Marie-Léa / Mademoiselle Sharber Lewis / BiPed LaBarr Rosemary / Rose Lonzello Garrett / Murphy (Sweet-Heat) Miller Riley / Huckleberry Orange Jackie / Peaches Prestage Martin / Johnny 5 Robbins Eloise / Fun Size Roma Christopher / Rafiki Sharp Dylan / Duke LaCoss Melony / Stretch Loomis Jeffrey / Last Spot Presto Maxine / Short Stix Sharpe Marc-André / Papa Smurf LaCoss Travis / Rambojuice Lord Bryce Printz Katherine / Murph Sheahan Dale / Dingo Lafond Ben / Rainfire Lorenze Stephanie / Sunshine Printz Marc Shedron Rich / B.S. Lamb Cathy / Attacullaculla Losapio Gregory / Fish Ears Pritchard Bob / Pritch Allison “Flower Power” DiVerde Sheehy Philip / Homebound Lanfrank Lexie / Curls Lovell, Jr. William / Crabby Prohaszka Chris / Fiji Sheets Erik / Oklahoma Parker / Thing 1 Lowes Catlin / Skywater Propst Jr. Benny / Cruise Control Shin Sukhyung / tracks Langston Zachary / Patton Luedtke Paul / The Archer Proto Maria / Pink Shively Timothy / Stretch Lanning Mike / Braveheart Luers Mandee / TomTom Pugely Alyssa / Trash Panda Shockey Joshua / “F” Bomb! Lanser Andrew / Bacon Luna Danielle / Stumbles McGiggles Puzo Jim / JIMBO Shoemaker David Lantz Thomas / Stretch Lynott Jackie / Humpty-Dumpty Quinn Katie / Rainbow Shoemaker Hannah / Shiver Lau Tyler / The Prodigy Machin Brittany / Giggles Quyle Jim / VEGAS Shouse Kristen / Keeper Laveroni Bryana / Flip Maggiola Anthony / Fat Tony Raborn Christopher / The Georgia Peach Shultz Peter / Sponge Laveroni Jay / Coach Maguire Paul / Irish Ramos David / Caveman Shutika James / Mr. Breeze Law Will / Landfill Mains Craig / Hawk Ramsey Scott / Clipper Siddiqi Rebekah / Happy Feet Leavey Christopher / Achilles Mantos Alex / Firecracker Ray Loye Sidonis John / Geardo Lee Thomas / Mantis Marfilius Kelsey / Two Step Ray Sara Silvernale Kevin / Sunshine Leebolt Spencer / Pit Boss Martens James / Too Lazy Reach Tim / TI-84 Silvestri Jon / Twigs Leeson Jeff / Ducky Martin Brandon / Terapin Tom “Detail” Bieber Rearden Colleen Sippel Natalie / ZuZu Leiby Katherine / Bitter End Martin Garrett / Price Point Redpath Mandy / Veggie Six Russell / Ramble Reid Caylee / Ramblin’ Rose Skaggs Keith / Mustachio

26 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 27 Widener Amy / Honey Stuntz Ryan / Jellybean Li Yong Shuo / Li Katie “Amazonian” Mulholland Widener Justin / Moon Aviv “Jaws” Mokady, Ofer “Papa Jaws” Sweeney Kendal Musselman Russ / Centaur Wieder Mackenzie / Wilt Mokady, Nurit “Mama Jaws” Mokady Swing Gary / Boiling Frog Toothaker Kasey / Cuffz Wilcox Eric / Mav”Eric”k Talcott Ryder / Redfish Walter Tim / Patch Wilcox John / Low Gear Thobaben Zebulon / Mr. Whiskers Welling Chora Belle / Flying Piglet Wildrick John / Zebra Tracy John / Captain Jack Welling Solstice / The Diva Wilkinson Paul / P-Dubb Ugedal / Sweet Tooth Will Steven / UnderToe Valle Maggie / Mantis 2015 Williams Caitlin / Dimples Van Chris / Chainsaw Barrett Jacob / Terrapin Williams Court / Pizza Hut Van Kooten Benjamin / Mammoth 2015 Keneth / K-2 Williams Richard / Stealth Veasey Christopher / Idaho Bones 2015 Lamb Cameron / Smiley Williams Steven / Candid Verbeck / Peter Pan 2015 Powell Kelly / White Hawk Williamson Michael / TRAIN Walter Lydia / Noodle 2015 Richardson Matthew / RabbitFoot Wilson Alan / Mr. Blister Wanthal Brandon / Double Wide 2015 Roduta Peter / Twiggs Wilson Carol / KiwiLegs Warmker Kayli Anne / bubbles 2015 Valle Greg / Gourmet Wilson-Freeman Julie / Stripper Weaver Jason / Bisquick 2015 Williamson Jared / Wilt Celina / Sparky Weyland Katrina / FireKat Winans Michael / Nomad White Daniel / The Blackalachian Wingfield Laura / Baby Gap Wilson Anne / Smeller 2014-1986 Winters Roger / Little Spoon Wylie Trey / MacGyver 2014 Pierse Margaret / Delaware Wiseman Collier / Mondamin Zumwalt Nathan / BonaFide 2014 Byrne Michael / Senator Wojcik-Tremblay Kassi / Kotn Calgie Jude / Jude Koehler Joachim / Hippo 2013 Finch Kathy / K-Fox Woolfolk Joseph / 44 Carrier Yates / Wounded Knee Kohler Henry / Hambone 2011 Sevy Kimberly / SKETCHER Wooten Logan / JackRabbit Clark Michelle / Sequoia Kolodzie Meg / Free Spirit 2016 2011 Chase Steve / CHACO Skinner Chad / Relentless Terpstra Lee / Biscuits Walker Kat / Rumi Wootten Jim / JimEcricket Coleman Andrew / Kit Kat Kostrubiak Mikaela / Soggy Bottoms Ackerman Eric / Webb 2010 Bartolomucci Jeffrey / Pony Sloat Jacob / MacGyver Terry Juni / Spoons Walters Taylor / Moxie Wright Matthew / Sun Chaser Colpoys Michael / Doogie Howser, Trail N.B. Kumnick Chris / Penguin Aradi Jennifer / Prov 2006 Tompkins Matt / Cornbread Sluiter Matthew / Thunder Fluff Thielen Candice / Minnesaurus Wang Yu / BigCat Wright Rebekah / Honeybear! Comeau Jenyfer / Blueberry Tiger-Larson Wendy / Frog Banta Jacob / Wolverine 2002 Branniff Marcella / Seattle Small Robert / Starbucks Thomas Aaron / KTOM Ward Dalton / D1 Wroten Debbie / Google Comstra Skye / Hybrid LeVert Tom / Totillia Tosser Bard Michael / 1990 Anderson Scott / Volunteer Smiddy Audrey / Knotz Thomas Alan / Atlas Ward Steven / Fireman Wurman Michael / Sketch Corrigan Thomas / Toga Lindsey Josh / MG Casey Tim / Casper 1986 Gesner Darryl Smith Deena / Baygull Thomas Andrew / Ridge Wardrup Jason / Big Tent Wussling Wilfried / Trackmake Covey Christopher / Dirty Duck Locke Kelly / Lil Dipper Coffey John Smith Joe / Smalfuryanimal Thomas Dereck / Send It Wardrup Jocelyn / Hooty Hoo Wyeth Amy / Jukebox Crawford Abigail / BB King Luca Sarah / Queen Pee Daley Louise / Lou Smith Josh / Peregrine Thomas Edd Warren August / 4mile Yates Rick / Wiley Crow Robert / Boston Rob Maddux Thomas / EZT Hanley Alli / HaHa Smith Kirk / Captain Kirk Thomas Elaine Washburn James / Shelter Dog Yeary Raymond / Map Derian Christopher / ripple Mann Howes Heidi / OMEGA Smith Melissa / Swamp Angel Thomas Martha / Lead Dog Webster Scott / Van Gogh Yhap Gordon / Pepperpot Durrwachter Cody / Birdie Martz Mike / GrapeNut Hu Xiaohui / Old Fox Smyth Don / Sawdust Thompson Brian / Badhat Weed Jason / Mongrel Youngs Ryan / 2-Clicks Durrwachter Donna / Toad Mattimore Dan / Bushmeat King Rebecca / Firestarter Snow Laurel / Spacejam Thompson Dylan / Pinky Weekly Ashley / G-Pack Zepp Jamie / Playmaker Elguezabal Jon / Basajaun Mattimore John / SpearChucker Snyder Chad / ChadtheDad Thompson Leslie / Fearless! Weeks Emily / No Shoes Zumbro Steve / Bluejay Emry Stewart / Bad Santa McClure Terri / HyLo Sorensen Jeremy / OnStep Thompson Paul / Tomato Weisman Dan / Pacman Eppinger Matthew / Ghetto McCullick Collin / Triumphant Southard Sarah / Froggy Tillson Chip / Good Chip Norris Weitz Mathew 2017 Fabrizio Clare / Sunflower McGrapth Adama-Malkia / Wild Child Spencer Luke / Professor Timpy Cassie / Goldilocks Weld Livvy / Stumbles Alverson Alexandra / Boundary Ferneding Henning / Karaoke Michael Ashley / Mama Firefly Spires Trevor / Fuzzy-Wuzzy Timpy Jordan / Canon Welty Barb / The Rag Tag Sisters Anderson Garrett / YAK Ferrigno Jake / Fleet Mokady Aviv / Jaws Spradlin Jr. Lee / Grateful Tingen Colton / Redline Wenger Jason / Mumbles Arscott Jeff / Scout Field Danny / Bobo Montgomery Jeff / Ninja Caroline “Incubator” Auwaerter Staggs Travis / Squirrel-Wva- Titus Colin / Freebird Wennerstrom Henrik / Sir Mix A Lot Baker Jr. Joseph / Ragnar Fochtmann Brett / The Chickfila Rooster Moody Rick / Mix Stahl Christiane / Teeyore Todd Christine / Nemophilist Wentzell Timothy / Yoti Banning Michael / Enoch the Navigator Fox Robin / Nails Moore Clay / Big Time Stallings Cathie / Kinder Trammell Christopher / Finger Food Wert Leonard / Wind Rider Barkalow Cassidy / Phoenix (formerly known as Condiments) Morrissette Steven / Downhill Stanfield Carl / Professor Trebour Ian / Happy West Gabriel / Pay It Forward Bell Jackson / Action Jackson George Alexis / OG Mount Ray / Mountain Music Staples Leslie / Appalachian Snails Trenda Dale / EasyRoll Westphal Norman / Wingman Blomquist Steven / Greensoxes Germann Kelly / Trillium Myers Michael / Halloween Stephan David / IT Cowboy Trenda William / Maybe Wetter Daniel / Scout Boniscavage Michael / Quick Start Gillman Geoff / Shepherd Needham Jason / Grapes Stevens Matthew / Legs Tresadern Joe / Honeybun Wheat Alexander / Espresso Bouc Roger / Rabbit Girard Mike / Pineapple Newcomb Brent / Deuce Stewart Cassandra / Clooney Treschuk Tanner / Veto Wheeler David / Mason Burke-Moran Adrienne / Izzy Gossard JeanMarie / Pooter Scooter O’Connell Timothy / Minutes Stewart Jim / FreightTrain Trulove Paul / Hazmat Whitman Kaitlin / Fox Squirrel Burke-Moran Erin / Detour Graziano Austin / Dirty Harry Poling Christen / Wild Card Stewart Kevin / Bear Meat Truran Kathy / Willow Whittaker Michael / Swimmer Byard Sandy / Mama Bear Habel Keckeley / Scrunchie Portz Simon / Just Stier Stacey / Duck Tweeten Carrie / Not Far Whyte Dustin / Logs Caffee Garrett / Winnebago Habig David / Supe Simon Simon from Germany Stitt Bobby / Scooter Ulseth Joseph / Stellar Halligan Todd / Moonshine Ranzi Marco / Dr. GoMo Stockwell David / Buck Unitt Mark / Super English Hallowell Paul / Just Paul Dan / Baywatch Stone Jamie / FreshFeet Utman Mark / The Invisible Man Harper Dylan / Guru Redmond Barrett / Sauce Stott Thomas / Disco van Dam Bas / Sebastian Harsha Diane / Sticks Ristow William / STAX Stovall Ernie / Hopalong van Dokkum David / Help Desk Hartman Ian / Space Jam Rogers Josh / Gadget — Strayer Danny / Crazy Horse Van Horn Kelsey / Joan of Arc Headrick Toby Rubeling Timothy / Pilgrim Strong Michelle / Bleep Van Horn Logan / Rainman Hein Robert / Captain Bob Rubin Francy / Zorra The ATC wants to thank all of those hikers Stump Samuel / Santa Clause Van Meter Michael / Bushbaby Hendrix William / Lunchbox Santana Frank / Strider Su Jason / Strawberry Vandeperre Garrett / Papa Bear Hobbs Robin / Miss America Sarine William / Bulldog who are also ATC members and encourage Sumrell Wes / Shortcutz Vanev Petar / Moonshine Hodson C.J. / Calico Jack Saunders Todd / KiteRunner others to give back to the Trail they love at: Suydam Wayne / Still Lookin’ Varga Kevin / Smiles Holweck Tony / Parkour Savard G Rick / Soul Asylum Swank Peter / lightisgreen Varrichione Bennet / One-T Horton Chris / Aussie Schneider Molly / Chimes appalachiantrail.org/give Sweeney Josh / Pano Vigliotti Marc / The Kisco Kid Ilzhöfer Claus / Sunny Hedgehog Schweizerhof Ian / Chocolate Rain Syphard Robert / Maps Vitale Blaise / Trail Blazer Iten Ruth / Chuckles Scott Rachael / Ferrari Syster Elizabeth / Golden Girl Vito Tara / Little Red Johnson Amy / Yardsale Sellers Mary / Perfect Storm Thanks to volunteer Sandra Ragsdale and other Taegtmeier Nicholas Vonderheide Seth / Player1 Jones Jerry / Joker Skelly James / Buckshot Tatro Phil / Uncle Malty Vowell Denise / Dis (F1>) Kassler Rachel / Cricket Smith Austin / First Aid volunteers in the Harpers Ferry Visitor Center as Taylor David / Too Tall Waas Joseph / Rip Van Winkle Kellogg Tasia / StinkyCheez Smith Christopher / Solo Taylor Devin / Venus Waisanen Robin / Redwood Kelly Patrick / Spench Smith Ivey / Kaleidoscope well as ATC’s visitor services representative Dave Tempel Alan / AT Squared Walker Adele / Shield Maiden Elizabeth “MTN ST8” Kleckner & Kerr Barbie / Lady Bling Spence Jeppe / Nature Boy Tarasevich for maintaining, editing, and compiling Temple Mike / Garmin Walker Carolyn / Lucky 59 Sarah Kleckner King Colin / Sponge Stickney Smith / Hoppy Temple Terry / Tortoise Walker Julie / Hummingbird Kleckner Elizabeth / MTN ST8 Stortz Robert this year’s listing.

28 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 29 step Out Easy travel and adventure await in an eclectic mix of Communities that run the length of the Trail

By Kim O’Connell / Illustrations By Rebecca Harnish One recent Sunday morning, my husband and I were visiting my in-laws in south-central Penn- sylvania when we decided to take a drive and do a short, day hike. I love the countryside there, with its apple orchards and farm markets pep- pering the rolling hills in all directions, and neighborly towns with cozy pubs and family restaurants. With my brother-in-law along for the ride, the three of us headed for Boiling Springs, a picturesque town in Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley. We parked at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mid-Atlantic re- gional office and Visitor Center, located in the heart of the town, and were immediately struck by how postcard-perfect Children’s Lake was. Reflect- ing the scudding clouds overhead, the lake was dotted with ducks and ringed by a historic red-roofed grist mill, charming houses, and the >>

Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 31 am Cabin at Fontana ontana D Village Resort & The town of F Marina. Courtesy Towards the southern was expressly built in Fontana Village Resort rail, the terminus of the T the 1940s to house theuthority lairsville, Georgia, town of B Tennessee Valley A immediately caught my eye. I workers who built the think about how the Scotch- massive engineering marvel, Irish settled many of these still the tallest dam on the astern Seaboard at nearly areas and brought their music E and their craftsmanship into 500 feet. the mountains.

Mountain Crossings at Walasi Yi. By Mike McCoy

town’s war memorial. We stepped Almost 50 towns and counties have onto a portion of the Appalachian been named official Appalachian Trail where it borders the lake and Trail Communities, meaning that walked towards the forest beyond they have signed on to be stewards the town. Our hike took us along a and supporters of the Trail and its rocky stream, through some woods, hikers. I knew that perusing that and across an open farm field, which list would be a good place to start was studded with posts painted with my trip planning. white blazes so we wouldn’t lose our Towards the southern termi- way. Later, on our way back to town, nus of the Trail, the town of we stopped at the Boiling Springs Blairsville, Georgia, immediately Tavern, a stone structure dating to caught my eye. There is something the mid-1800s, and the famous arte- about the southern Appalachians sian spring behind it, with bubbling that makes me want to connect water that gives the town its name. with my Celtic roots. I think about After we returned to our home in how the Scotch-Irish settled many Arlington, Virginia, I couldn’t get of these areas and brought their Boiling Springs’ quiet charm out of music and their craftsmanship my mind, and I felt sorry that our children had opted to stay back into the mountains, along with other ethnic groups, and it’s to visit with their grandfather. Even at their young ages of 9 and a rich heritage worthy of celebration. Researching the town, 12, my kids are veterans of many national park road trips, and I was drawn to all the ways it honors this rich natural and they love hiking, camping, and traveling. Thinking about this, I cultural heritage, including an annual Scottish Festival, with pulled out a map of the A.T., tracing my finger along the route in bagpipes, tartans, and gathered clans; the Sorghum Festival, search of other towns that we might visit together that would which celebrates the tradition of cooking sweet syrup from give us a range of things to do, along with easy access to the Trail. sorghum cane; and the Mountain Heritage Festival, where

32 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 Just 12 miles from the bingdon Appalachian Trail, A is a hub of outdoor recreation. The town is an ideal place to hop on the reeper 35-mile Virginia C rail. National Recreational T

Virginia Creeper National Recreational Trail many artisans showcase their crafts. read about the A.T. Community of husband a cookie-tin banjo from the Blue Ridge Music Center the state, Abingdon is located near the southern tip of Vir- Surrounded by the Fontana Dam. This town was ex- in southern Virginia, and so the Stecoah Center seemed right ginia’s long Appalachian spine, and it offers terrific Trail access of the southern Blue Ridge Moun- pressly built in the 1940s to house the up our alley. Housed in a historic stone structure that dates to as well as many dining and lodging options. tains, Blairsville is also the home Tennessee Valley Authority workers the 1930s, the center was once the site of a school but is now a Just 12 miles from the Appalachian Trail, Abingdon is a hub of the legendary Mountain Cross- who built the massive engineering community and cultural center that offers classes and program- of outdoor recreation. The town is an ideal place to hop on the ings at Walasi-Yi, the circa-1937 marvel, still the tallest dam on the ming in music, cooking, and crafts all year long. The center is 35-mile Virginia Creeper National Recreational Trail, a multi- stone building constructed by the Eastern Seaboard at nearly 500 feet. famous for its “An Appalachian Evening” summer concert se- use recreational trail built on a former railbed that dates to the Civilian Conservation Corps that The Trail follows the curving top of ries, with bluegrass, folk, and old-time mountain music offered 1880s. Hikers and cyclists can stop on one of the Creeper Trail’s now houses one of the most be- the dam, offering hikers terrific weekly. Looking at photos of past concerts, I could easily high wooden trestles or take in views of the surrounding for- loved outfitters along the Trail. views of the Great Smoky Mountains imagine my husband, after a day of hiking on the A.T. and a ests, farms, and fields. I particularly like the idea of a post-Trail The A.T. even passes through a just beyond. The dam-created Fon- night of music at Stecoah, sitting around a campfire and pluck- visit to the Creeper Trail Café, which boasts of having “world portion of the building, the only tana Lake also offers some 240 miles ing his own Appalachian banjo under the stars. famous chocolate cake.” (It’s hard to prove this claim, but I’m part of the entire path that’s covered. Not far from town is of shoreline and ample recreational opportunities. The center- Living in Virginia, my family and I get out to Shenandoah willing to investigate.) Vogel State Park, whose centerpiece is the stunning Lake piece of the town, however, is the famous Fontana Village National Park fairly regularly, and we’ve hiked on several por- I also am fascinated by the fact that Abingdon offers access Trahlyta. The lake is situated perfectly like a gemstone in a Resort and Marina, which features a lodge, cabins, dining, golf, tions of the A.T. as it spans the 100-mile length of the park. I to Virginia’s little-known slot canyons. When I think of slot piece of jewelry, nestled among the surrounding mountains, and other activities — making it a relaxing stop for both thru- never get tired of the stunning views from the ridgetops across canyons, I usually picture the orange-hued sandstone canyons and its smooth, calm surface makes it a popular destination hikers and section hikers. The resort hosts the annual Hiker the wide expanse of the Shenandoah Valley, quilted with farms of the desert West. But Virginia’s slot canyons are tucked away for boating and fishing. The park offers many great trails on Haze weekend in March — with food and other activities that and ribboned by the Shenandoah River. We often stop in the in the Great Channels Natural Area Preserve. Here, ice-age its own, as well as connectors to the A.T. where hikers can kick off the spring hiking season. many homey towns near the park, such as Front Royal and freezing and melting have split cracks in the relatively soft Blue summit Blood Mountain, which, at 4,459 feet, is the A.T.’s Located just a half-hour away from Fontana Dam, about Luray, for some pie or apple cider donuts to take home. One Ridge sandstone, allowing narrow, winding canyons to form. highest-elevation ascent in Georgia. midway to Bryson City, is the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts place I’ve never visited, however, is the A.T. Community of These canyons have only been open to the public for about a Across the border into North Carolina, I was intrigued to Center. I once drove miles out of my way to buy my musician Abingdon, Virginia. One of currently 15 A.T. communities in decade, the result of a land donation from the Nature Conser-

34 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 35 Millinocket, ME

Monson, ME

Kingsfield, ME Rangeley, ME ew ocated right on the N L ersey line, Gorham, NH ork-New J Y ew York, still 48 A.T. Communities Warwick, N Norwich, VT Hanover, NH retains its slower pace and ity 14 states rural character,ew but Y orkis onlyC

55 miles from N 2,192 MILES Manchester, VT and therefore relatively North Adams, MA Cheshire, MA easy for urban hikers and Dalton, MA families to get to. Great Barrington, MA

Dover / Pawling (Harlem Valley), NY

Warwick, NY Vernon, NJ Delaware Water Gap, PA Greater Blairstown Area, NJ Parker Lake from the A.T. Wind Gap, PA in Wawayanda State Park. By Raymond Salani III Duncannon, PA Boiling Springs, PA

Greater Waynesboro Area, PA vancy. Getting to and from the hikers, too. Connected via a spur slot canyon requires a 6.6 mile- to the A.T., the Mount Peter Harpers Ferry / Bolivar, WV hike with some elevation Hawk Watch Trailway leads to a Berryville / Clarke County, VA Round Hill, VA change, but from certain over- scenic overlook for raptor view- Front Royal / Warren County, VA looks, hikers have an almost ing and birdwatching, and bin- Luray / Page County, VA 360-degree view of the sur- oculars are a must. One of the Harrisonburg, VA rounding Blue Ridge. oldest hawk watch locations in As I daydreamed about plac- the country, the overlook offers Waynesboro, VA es to visit along the Trail, my both casual and seasoned bird- Nelson County, VA Buena Vista, VA eyes drifted north on my A.T. watchers glimpses of up to 16 Glasgow, VA map to a community that species, including goshawks, Troutville, VA seemed very different from the kestrels, and golden and bald Narrows, VA Blue Ridge towns of the south eagles, during their fall migra- Pearisburg, VA and mid-Atlantic. Located right tions. But even if you don’t spot Bland, VA FIND YOUR NEXT on the New York-New Jersey any big birds, the mountain Marion / Smyth County, VA ADVENTURE line, the town of Warwick, New York, is significant in Appala- views from the overlook are worth the look on their own. Abingdon, VA Damascus, VA Explore the Trail by state to find out chian Trail history as the location where the first section of trail Wawayanda State Park in New Jersey is another popular more about the towns and areas you opened in 1931, six years before the rest of the Trail was offi- destination not far from Warwick. The park contains some 60 Roan Mountain, TN want to visit — and even locate parking — Erwin / Unicoi County, TN cially inaugurated. Although Warwick still retains its slower miles of trails, including 20 miles of the A.T. Here hikers can with the A.T. Interactive Map at: pace and rural character, with historic brick buildings lining walk on the A.T. before taking a spur trail that leads to the Hot Springs, NC appalachiantrail.org/explore the streets, the town is only 55 miles from and “Stairway to Heaven,” a series of rock steps up to the Pinwheel therefore relatively easy for urban hikers and families to get to. Vista, an outcropping with rewarding views. I’ve hiked a simi- Fontana Dam, NC Learn more about A.T. Communities at: Lodging and dining options abound, along with a range of lar kind of rocky climb called Pole Steeple near the A.T. in Franklin, NC appalachiantrail.org/ATcommunities outdoor activities. central Pennsylvania, so this hike sounded like a fun challenge. Hiawassee / Towns County, GA Blairsville / Union County, GA Warwick offers a special wildlife viewing experience for Back on flat ground in Warwick, any itinerary would have to Ellijay / Gilmer County, GA Helen / White County, GA Dahlonega, GA 36 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 37 TAKE THE NEXT STEPS WITH US ANNUAL FUND LEADERSHIP CIRCLE Our Annual Fund helps us fulfill our mission to preserve and protect Kingfield, Maine is perfectly situated as a the Appalachian Trail. gateway to the scenic riches of the region and is a welcoming.T. hikers. place for A LEADER $100,000 OR MORE

PARTNER $50,000 - $99,999

ADVOCATE $25,000 - $49,999

A.T. from the Grafton Notch PROTECTOR area of the High Peaks region $10,000 - $24,999 in Maine. By Greg Morgan A limited number of striking and colorful Wild East posters, designed by Tyler Nordgren, are available for STEWARD $5,000 - $9,999 ATC members who contribute gateway to the scenic riches of the re- gion and is a welcoming place for A.T. $100 or more. SUPPORTER * hikers. Located less than a mile from the $1,000 - $4,999 Appalachian Trail, for instance, is the Ski Resort, the second-largest skiable area on the Eastern Seaboard To donate viisiit:: next to Killington, , and the appalachiantrail.org/SupportWildEast second-highest peak in Maine next to appalachiantrail.org/SupportWildEast include the Pennings Farm Market, which offers not just farm- Katahdin, the A.T.’s northern endpoint. Kingfield is also the head- Join our Leadership Circle! fresh and locally sourced produce, meats, and cheeses, but also quarters for Maine Hut and Trails, which provides bunkhouses For more information, contact: a pub, garden center, and ice cream stand. and lodges where A.T. hikers may exchange work for room and . . Heading towards the northern terminus of the Appalachian board (or pay a nightly rate that either includes meals or a rate Elizabeth Borg at 304 885 0473 or Trail lies the A.T. Community of Kingfield, Maine, located about without meals). [email protected] two hours north of Portland by car. Although I’ve visited the At last, I folded up my map, my mind full of possibilities, and central coast of Maine several times, I haven’t spent much time in thinking of all the other communities along the Trail with his- Maine’s interior, especially its High Peaks region, which contains toric character, natural features, and fun activities for people AvailableAvailable onlyonly throughthrough newnew donationsdonations ofof $100$100 oror many of the state’s 4,000-foot mountains. Although it’s a modest who want to take just a few steps off the path. It was time to start www.appalachiantrail.org/annualfund * more, made after January 22, 2019. town of less than 1,000 people, Kingfield is perfectly situated as a packing and get out there.

38 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 HIKING WITH DOGS

My husband and I were on a short overnight hike with our two terriers, from the Trail just north of Damascus, headed for our campsite at Saunders Shelter. As we approached the Trail junction to Taylors Valley, our older dog, Tali, alerted to some- thing ahead. Hackles raised, she slowly backed away growling and barking, and refused to go forward. It was a sunny day and we could see the way ahead just as well as From left: A.T. hiker Erin Tali, but neither my husband nor I saw Derham enjoys a relaxing any sign of danger. We tried to coax her moment along the Trail with forward, but she would have none of it her dog Sage in the Roan and continued barking and balking. At Highlands. By Steven Yocom; this point I could feel my own adrena- Luann with her husband line rising as I was certain my dog had and their dogs on the A.T. spotted a danger that I could not see. on Whitetop Mountain in Eventually, we realized she was alert- Virgina. By Laurie Potteiger ing to a burned and blackened tree stump beside the Trail, which she may have thought was a bear. My husband ultimately had to carry her past the “bear” so we could continue our hike. For a dog-lover, one of the best things about the Appalachian Trail is being able to take your dog with you when you go hiking. Our dogs clearly love being outdoors and they love being with us. Over the past four decades we’ve shared many memorable Trail moments with our dogs and our lives have been en- riched through those shared hiking experiences. >> By Luann Mack-Drinkard

Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 41 Doggy Etiquette ENJOY

The Basics while hiking in these areas. Overnight Stays YOUR JOURNEY What’s the most important thing Remember, not everyone you Finding pet-friendly lodging along the AND THE you should do to make sure you meet on the Trail will love your dog Trail is not nearly as difficult as it used have a good hiking experience with as much as you do. One thing we’ve to be. Many hotels and motels DESTINATION. your dog? Training. Dogs need to learned to do is to move our dogs to advertise as pet-friendly, often know or learn basic manners: sit, the side of the Trail when another charging a small fee for allowing you to down, stay, not jumping up on fellow hiker approaches. We tell our dogs to keep you dog in your room. And being Welcome to Fontana Village hikers, not stealing food. Taking a dog sit and wait as the hiker passes. Some prepared to tent camp instead of stay Resort & Marina! With training class is a good place to start hikers thank us, and most stop to in a shelter is good etiquette while comfortable lodging & preparing for hikes with your dog. chat and to greet our dogs. overnighting on the Trail with your dog. delicious dining, this is the ideal place to relax, refuel and start On the Trail, you are responsible Finally, we must talk about poop. your next adventure. AT for your dog. This includes Because your dog is not a natural shuttles, resupply and drop maintaining control. The Appalachian inhabitant of the area, carry poop services are available. Your Trail Conservancy pet policy bags, pick up the poop, and carry it Long-distance hikers and their companion natural destination in the Great Smoky Mountains. recommends that dogs be leashed at out. If you’re backpacking, take your take a much-needed break in Damascus, all times. Keeping your dog on leash is trowel and bury your dog’s waste just Virginia. By Willie Johnson a small price to pay for being able to as you would your own. Hikers who share hiking adventures with them. follow will thank you. Your responsibility for your dog includes making sure he or she When and Where to Hike remains healthy and comfortable Most Trail sections are suitable for when hiking. Flea and tick control are hiking with your dog, but some a must, and there are many options to restrictions and common-sense choose from. Vaccinations, including exceptions do exist. Three A.T. areas FontanaVillage.com  800.849.2258 rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and are off-limits: The Great Smoky adenovirus-2 are also essential. (It’s Mountains National Park, Bear also a good idea to carry proof of your Mountain State Park Trailside dog’s current vaccinations with you Museum and Zoo, and Baxter State when you travel.) Remember to offer Park. The White Mountains of New 2019 thru-hiker your dog water anytime you stop for Hampshire and parts of Maine are a drink. If you are thirsty, your dog will rocky and steep, and could be Registration be, too. Just like us, dogs are burning uncomfortable for your dog. And the more calories when hiking, so they notorious rocks of Pennsylvania could need more food. We bring lunch for be just as painful for your dog as they Now Open our dogs even on day hikes, especially are for you. Think about the physical Aspiring A.T. thru-hikers can now register their 2019 if they are carrying a pack. Town or shape your dog is in before asking egistrants will be able to see the numbers Trail, remember food and water for your pet to do too much. Check the Luann Mack-Drinkard, LVT, is hikes online. R your companion. weather before deciding to take your the “Sketch” part of “Sketch & of hikers registered to start on each day, then plan dog for a hike. Summer heat may be Snorebaby” (2,000 milers) accordingly to start on an uncrowded day or location to Good Behavior on the Trail too much for a heavily coated breed, and the “Trail’dales.” limit their ecological and social impacts on the Trail. In my opinion, it is better to use a while winter’s cold could be harmful harness than a collar when hiking for a smooth coated breed. Learn more about hiking To register a hike visit: with your dog. A harness is easier on with dogs on the A.T. at: appalachiantrail.org/dogs North Carolina a dog’s body. A sturdy six-foot leash is Appalachian Trail appalachiantrail.org/ License Plate a good choice. If you chose to use a Application

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) now has a specialty license tag in the state of North Carolina. retractable leash, use the belt version By getting your tag today, you’ll help the ATC protect and maintain America’s Favorite Long Distance Trail! Facts  You must already have The ATC will receive $20 annually for each AT plate purchased or renewed. the vehicle registered in thruhikeregistration North Carolina.  How Much Does It Cost? You receive a FREE instead of the cord. Know that some ATC Membership with  $30 Regular Appalachian Trail plate* the purchase of your NC  $60 Personalized Appalachian Trail plate* AT Tag. ProceedsYou are allowed four (4) benefitspaces for a personalized message. the  *The $30 or $60 annual ______1st Choice ______2nd Choice ______3rd Choice fee is in addition to areas require a dog’s leash to be no regular annual license Name (as shown on certificate of title): fees you have already paid.  Personalized tags may FIRST MIDDLE LAST be relinquished to longer than six feet (Shenandoah someone else, but once a numerical tag expires ADDRESS without renewal, that number can never again CITY STATE ZIP CODE be reissued. National Park is one of these) so  If you change your mind, you can go back to a HOME PHONE OFFICE PHONE regular license plate at

Current North Carolina Vehicle any time. There will not be a refund of unused ______portion of special fees.

you’ll have to lock your PLATE NUMBER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER  Additional applications

______can be found online at

DRIVER’S LICENSE # YEAR MODEL MAKE BODY STYLE www.appalachiantrail.org

retractable leash at six feet Owner’s Certification of Liability Insurance APPALACHIANTRAIL.ORG/ATCPLATES I certify for the motor vehicle described above that I have financial responsibility as required by law.

FULL NAME OF INSURANCE COMPANY AUTHORIZED IN NC – NOT AGENCY OR GROUP

POLICY NUMBER – IF POLICY NOT ISSUED, NAME OF AGENCY BINDING COVERAGE ______SIGNATURE OF OWNER DATE OF CERTIFICATION

Mail your check or money order made out to NC DMV Thanks for your generous support of the 42 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 and application to: Appalachian Trail! Questions about the NC AT License NC Division of Motor Vehicles, Specialty Plate Division Tag can be directed to Leanna Joyner 828-254-3708. 3155 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-3155

www.appalachiantrail.org Many long-distance hikers enjoy the simplic- guide of indulgences that can soothe a weary ity of a basic camp meal and sleeping bag sur- hiker’s soul and honor the challenge of hiking rounded by nature — but those same hikers one of the longest continuous footpaths in the sometimes find a wonderful balance in taking world, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy a brief break to enjoy the culture and cozy finds this book to be generous in spotlighting hospitality of nearby Trail communities. ¶ exceptional, unique and charming places to Reserve a cozy private cabin in Thru-hiker Bruce “RTK” Mattson and Michael experience the A.T. and helpful to all types of the woods at the Misty Mountain Inn “Sharkbait” Neiman offer up their recommen- hikers and travelers. at Neels Gap in Blairsville, Georgia dations for finding creature comforts and Attend a theatrical play onsite downright gourmet meals along the Trail. The while enjoying the exceptional accommodations at Allenberry two — who met before their 2018 thru-hikes Resort in Boiling Springs, through each other’s blogs — put their heads Some tips Pennsylvania together to publish Platinum Blazing the Ap- from the Enjoy an elegant dinner — with palachian Trail: “How to Thru-Hike in 5 3-Star authors on local and seasonal options like Luxury, a 150-page hard-copy or downloadable splurging roasted half duck flambé or wild guide to comfy beds and soft sheets, hearty along the mushroom ravioli — and private homecooked meals, yoga classes, massages, A.T. room at the Fife ‘n Drum Inn of theater, concerts, and other great cultural Kent, Connecticut events in towns and communities along the Order an a la carte steak dinner A.T. ¶ While “RTK” and “Sharkbait” envi- when the restaurant has an all- you-can-eat buffet, like at Daniel’s sioned this book for long-distance hikers, as a Restaurant in Hiawassee, Georgia Schedule a natural hot springs whirlpool appointment in Hot Springs, North Carolina Get a full body massage at the Woods Hole Hostel in Pearisburg, Virginia Slackpack (hike unencumbered by a full backpack) from Hot Springs, North Carolina to Bruce Matson dreamed Damascus, Virginia while enjoying about attempting a thru- private accommodations at Cantarroso Farm each night hike of the Appalachian Trail more than 40 years Rent out the Airstream private trailer at the Hikers Inn in ago. In the summer of Damascus, Virginia Bruce and Michael on the Trail during their thru-hikes 1974, he attended a pre- Appalachian Schedule an Uber to pick you sentation by Warren up at the Dover Oak and take you Trail Indulgence Doyle, who had not only backpacked from Springer Mountain to Katahdin. Having done some to the train Station Inn at Pawling, hiking and backpacking at the time, Bruce was completely captivated by the presentation and New York — where you can travel decided, “I’m going to do that someday.”¶ After guiding canoe trips in the north Maine Woods directly into New York City for two summers and summitting Katahdin several times, Bruce turned his attention to law Take a guided fly-fishing school, marriage, and family – all the while holding on to his dream of completing a thru-hike. excursion during a day off the Trail thru-hikers revel in opportunities In 2018, he made good on his personal aspiration. ¶ As part of his hike, Bruce generously do- in North Woodstock, nated more than $100,000 to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) through the “Returning Enjoy an invigorating whitewater to stop in Trail towns — not just for to Katahdin Challenge” — one of the largest individual donations to ATC to date. In addition rafting trip down the Kennebec to co-authoring Platinum Blazing the Appalachian Trail, Bruce is also the author of The Race Before River outside Caratunk, Maine a shower, laundry, and resupply, but Us: A Journey of Running & Faith and The Road to Find Out: A Modern Pilgrim and the Camino de also to splurge on lodging, meals, Santiago.¶ Bruce “RTK” Mattson and Michael “Sharkbait” Neiman are donating all net proceeds from their book to the ATC. The book is available at the Ultimate A.T. Store and Amazon* or other special experiences and

opportunities near the Trail. *Personalized or signed copies are available from the authors at [email protected]

44 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 45 appalachian focus

Woods Hole Hostel photographer ben benvie “Woods Hole Hostel is a magical place found just a short distance off the Appalachian Trail in southwest Virginia. It’s home to the owners Nev- ille and Michael (pictured in front) but also feels like home to every hiker and traveler who is lucky enough to visit. ¶ Stay at Woods Hole and you might find your- self in the kitchen helping to prepare one of their famous communal meals or maybe you’ll be outside tending to the gardens that fill your plate with delicious organic food. You’ll quickly learn that this is not a place to simply rest your head, it’s a place to learn, laugh and share. Whether you’re doing group yoga, eating home- made ice cream, or exchanging stories in the front yard, a day spent here will be a memorable one. Neville and Michael have created a space where you don’t simply feel like a hiker or guest, you feel like a member of the fam- ily. ¶ At the end of my stay, I decided that we needed a ‘family photo’ and like most family portraits, this self- timed attempt didn’t quite go according to plan. It did however, result in what I consider to be a perfectly imperfect image. Just like life on the Trail and my time at Woods Hole Hostel. It’s full of smiles, laughter, and a little bit of chaos.” ~ Ben Benvie

46 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 47 recommended Don’t Share

Contain Yourself Celebrating the outdoors Human-bear conflicts are increasing along the A.T. in harpers ferry and bolivar triggering temporary and permanent campsite, shelter, and A.T. section closures, and euthanized bears.

TheseThese drasticdrastic resultsresults cancan onlyonly bebe preventedprevented byby A.T.A.T. camperscampers doingdoing anan excellentexcellent jobjob ofof storingstoring allall smellablesmellable itemsitems andand keepingkeeping aa cleanclean camp.camp. At least, not with a Bear Bears have the keenest sense ofof smellsmell inin thethe animalanimal kingdom,kingdom, smellingsmelling foodfood fromfrom severalseveral milesmiles JOIN US FOR A WEEKEND Food Protection awayaway includingincluding toothpaste,toothpaste, OF GAMES, WORKSHOPS, LIVE MUSIC AND HIKES, INCLUDING A FLIP-FLOP THRU-HIKER SEND OFF! sunscreen,sunscreen, trash,trash, etc.etc. (burning(burning Bear Protection food/trashfood/trash doesn’tdoesn’t help.)help.) April 27-28 Trip Protection AlwaysAlways useuse aa bear-resistantbear-resistant foodfood storagestorage containercontainer (BFC)(BFC) toto Harpers Ferry storestore foodfood andand smellablessmellables whilewhile To learn more visit: camping.camping. TheThe IInteragencynteragency Grizzlyrizzly flipflopfestival.org Proud Sponsor of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Bear Committee website lists approvedapproved hardhard andand softsoft BFCs;BFCs; mostmost areare alsoalso rodentrodent proof.proof. Usingsing aa bear-resistantbear-resistant containercontainer notnot onlyonly helpshelps toto protectprotect Immerse yourself in the Trail youyou andand thethe bears,bears, itit alsoalso makesmakes youryour experienceexperience moremore funfun andand How to experience with our dynamic digital comfortablecomfortable overalloverall byby keepingkeeping use BFCs: ■ NEVER sleep with your otherother wildlifewildlife —— likelike mice,mice, edition of A.T. Journeys food, smellables, or BFC raccoons,raccoons, skunks,skunks, oror squirrelssquirrels —— while camping. fromfrom pilferingpilfering youryour pack.pack. ■ Always close and lock BFCs per their instructions. NO APP / ANY WHERE / ALL DEVICES ■ At campsites with a food locker or cable system, put engaging video, additional photo features, and more your BFC in/on those. ■ At campsites without a GO PAPERLESS supplied food storage locker, place hard and soft BFCs 100 feet from your sleeping area; tie soft BFCs to immovable objects.

For more helpful information and to report bear incidents visit: appalachiantrail.org/bears Subscribe today appalachiantrail.org/paperless

48 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 indigenousHABITAT / LEPIDOPTERA / CONSERVATION

Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) — is a small to medium sized hard pine Pitch Pine species. Scrub Oak Barrens Often with an By Marian Orlousky irregular growth that is twisted The pitch pine shrub thickets are lush and gnarled in appearance, this — scrub oak barren habitat with lowbush blueberries shade-intolerant is characteristic of ridgetop that offer sweet snacks to species can areas in New York, New human visitors passing inhabit low Jersey, Pennsylvania, through in late summer, as nutrient areas Maryland, and south well as to resident wildlife,” with harsh conditions. through the Appalachian explains Betsy Leppo, an Highlands and Blue Ridge Invertebrate Zoologist Pitch Pine is found Province. These barrens with the Western in the eastern are found in areas where Pennsylvania Conservancy From top: Recovering pitch pine/scrub oak barren along the A.T. on the United States South Mountain after a prescribed burn and forestry mowing; Brown elfin from southern weather conditions are (WPC) specializing in moth butterfly (Callophrys augustinu) — This rare butterfly species is just one Maine to northern variable and often extreme, and butterfly (Lepidoptera) conservation target for the Michaux Pine Barrens. Photos by Betsy Leppo Georgia. and where soils are thin, studies. well drained, sandy, acidic These ridge-top barren Total life span and nutrient poor. This communities offer diverse ruffed grouse, two “species PINE BARREN the ridge — one of the of a pitch pine is approximately habitat is sometimes and complex habitat. The of greatest conservation RESTORATION largest prescribed 200 years. referred to as “ridgetop scrubby understory need” listed in the In 2012, Michaux ever conducted by the dwarf-tree forests” because structure provides both Pennsylvania Wildlife State Forest (under the state. The burn served to of the tendency for the tree forage and cover to a variety Action Plan; and protected Pennsylvania Department encourage desirable habitat, growth to be stunted under of rare and declining plant species like the Allegheny of Conservation and improve oak regeneration, Scrub Oak the harsh conditions. and animal species, some woodrat or timber Natural Resources) and and reduce dangerous (Quercus ilicifolia) While this environment of which are found rattlesnake may be found partners such as the fuel loads that have the — sometimes called bear oak, is not suitable for many exclusively in this area. in barren areas with rocky Pine-oak barrens are Appalachian Trail potential to lead to grows as a small Appalachian tree species, In Pennsylvania alone, outcroppings. fire-dependent with Conservancy, the WPC and catastrophic wildfires. gnarled tree or hardier species like pitch the pitch pine - scrub oak It’s no coincidence that fire-adapted regeneration the Pennsylvania Game As monitoring of this shrub. pine, are able to thrive here. habitat contains 31 plant the species associated with strategies that had been Commission, began community continues, An example of this associates. According to these barren habitats are sustained for thousands of management and forest managers and The species is restricted unique community Leppo, surveys at Big often considered rare. years by lightning strikes restoration of the Big conservationist alike are mostly to the type exists along the Flat Ridge have thus far While historically these and Native American fire Flat Pine Barrens. Various optimistic that imperiled northeastern U.S. Appalachian Trail, on Big documented the presence pine-oak environments starts. Today these management techniques, wildlife species will be able Flat Ridge, along the South of 48 state rare moth existed as a mosaic of communities are on the including forestry mowing, to rebound and thrive in Scrub oak ranges from 3-30 ft. Mountain in Pennsylvania. species and one globally constantly changing barren decline in great part due selective thinning and this unique environment in height and “A hike on the Appalachian rare species. The communities across the to long-standing fire controlled burns, have been of the Appalachian generally has a Trail though this area, Pennsylvania Game ridge landscape, on our suppression practices, utilized to recover and Mountains. life span of only carries hikers deep into Commission highlights modern landscape, this forest succession, and sustain this critical habitat. 20-30 years. dense shrublands dotted the moister areas of these unique community type is introduced pine In 2018, a nearly 1,400-acre with stands of rugged pitch barrens as being utilized by also becoming less common. plantations. burn was completed along pines. Openings in the American woodcock and

50 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 Spring 2019 / A.T. Journeys 51 trail stories the whole Trail was a lesson in embrac- ing the imperfect. My motivation for the particular type of artwork I wanted to create stemmed from disappointment in the photos I took of sights that overwhelmed me with beauty and emotion. Painting al- lowed me to express what I saw, not what the phone camera saw. And there was so much to see. Watching the first Wild East proud? shoots of spring greenery sneaking over the mountains, undulating layers of Show the world… mountains receding into the distance, Exclusive Wild East truckers’ caps and T-shirts vibrant sunsets, lots of wildlife, and the are available now at the Ultimate A.T. Store Postcards from While planning my mini art vast range of different cultures and kit — debating over the colors for my communities along the way. But there palette, deciding on tools, cutting were also days of slogging through mud Paradise watercolor paper to fit in my backpack’s shoulder pocket — I daydreamed about An artistic take on plucking it out whenever a mountainous traveling the A.T. view or interesting plant struck me with inspiration. I saw myself painting on By Rebecca Harnish top of peaks, sketching ferns from a Both my hike and comfy rock on the side of the Trail, “ attempt to paint capturing the big milestones as I passed them with swift brushstrokes. along the whole Caps: item #356 The first of many surprises on my Trail was a lesson hike was that northern Georgia can be in embracing the freezing in April. The winter lingered hard, and I had to hike to stay warm, imperfect. and cocoon as soon as the nightly chores were complete. The reality from day one was quick and tired sketches in my sleeping bag, after dinner of course. The times and places I found to paint varied depending on the weather and tem- dawn to dusk, putting on wet, smelly perature, my level of exhaustion (very socks, traversing rocky ridges in” storms, or completely), and ranged from some and chafe that could bring you to tears. of the golden vistas I had initially envi- There was the bliss of unexpectedT rail sioned — such as on top of magic, cute little towns we spent way in North Carolina, and McAfee Knob in too much time in, doing laundry with Tri-blend shirts: item #T093 Virginia — to shelter tables, to in my whatever means we had while charging tent while it rained, and, most fre- and being glued to our phones after a quently, grungy hotel rooms with dim service dry spell. artificial light and that special funk that I really wanted to capture it all. The five or six hikers and their gear exude. beautiful, the ugly, the fun, and silliness atctrailstore.org While most of it was not ideal for of Trail culture, because we remember toll-free: (888) 287.8673 creating art, all of it was perfect in the most of it fondly in the end. Because of Mon. — Fri., 9 am — 4:30 pm Eastern context of the Trail. For all of its natural this, postcards seemed like a perfect From top: Sink laundry postcard; A rare moment splendor, it tests every kind of endur- way to spread the joy of as many aspects We usually ship on the same business day! to paint directly from the landscape atop McAfee ance; it’s dirty, sweaty, painful, full of of hiking as possible. The result was a Buy direct from the Ultimate Appalachian Trail Store Knob; Inset:The author’s art kit: a lightweight metal imperfect moments of despair, but also series of artwork I created in postcard and ensure a maximum return to the Trail. palette, a waterbrush, pencil, and three ink pens. full of wonderful people to laugh about format. After all, sending someone a *ATC members receive a 10% discount by using More of Rebecca’s postcards are featured in our them with. As an anxious perfectionist, postcard about sink laundry says a lot “atcmember” as a coupon code at check-out! travel article: “Step Out” (page 30) both my hike and attempt to paint along about your life on the Trail.

52 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 Parting Thought

Virginia Craft, A.T. Pennsylvania - by David CreateHalterman A.T. near Great Barrington. By Raymond Salani III

The clean sound of ice skates skimming ing where he sat after falling again. I laughed, not so your legacy across an indoor skating rink is nothing like the sound much at him but us, because haven’t we all felt that way of those blades on a frozen pond or lake. Outside on the at some point, not wanting to go through the pain and lake, there are bumps and cracks and ripples; there are humiliation of learning something new? frozen-over bubbles with thin layers of surface ice that But, of course, we often have to learn even the simplest with The crackle like paper. And then there’s the slightly frighten- things over and over — like the value of community and ing booommm! that echoes now and then across even what it means to have and know a place. Or, for that mat- the thickest-frozen waters as the ice expands or con- ter, learn a place. Learn it in the lush summertime and Appalachian tracts, and cracks. The face of the lake is like the mem- the stark, wind-whipped winter. Learn each root and rock brane of a drum, sending the sound reverberating from on a familiar piece of trail. Learn the plants and animals shore to shore. who make that place home. Learn the people who make Planned Giving is an easy and flexible way to meet your In western Massachusetts, the A.T. meanders around it home. Learn how a forest community can have both Trail philanthropic goals while protecting the Trail you love. the edge of Benedict Pond in Beartown State Forest, human and nonhuman members. Learn how to care for which includes a popular campground and picnic area it. Then, finally, somewhere within the infinite process of Whatever your stage in life, your financial circumstances

in the summer, complete with a small beach. During the learning, we can begin to know it. te rm an warmer months, smoke rises from campfires and kids There on the ice, I prop up my disgruntled friend. and your charitable goals, let us show you how to make a splash in the water. In July, A.T. volunteers, staff, thru- “Watch this!” I say. I close my eyes, spread out my arms, gift that benefits you and your loved ones as well hikers, and members of the local trails community get and let the wind push me, bumpity bumpity, across the d H a l y Davi together to celebrate Great Barrington A.T. Community gleaming pond. Here, winter is long and summer is sud- as the Appalachian Trail. Day, serenaded by the Berkshires’ own ukulele band. But den. Pay attention, or you’ll miss what comes in be- in winter it’s a different world, gleaming and still. tween. Warm days and soaking rains will quickly turn Contact: Elizabeth Borg On one of those lucky days when the pond had frozen ice to water. Spring peepers and red-winged blackbirds Vice President of Membership & Development solid but hadn’t yet been covered in snow, I went ice will raise a racket, and the humans will follow. We’ll be b – photo vania yl 304.885.0473 or skating with a young friend only about three years old. learning this familiar place all over again, as it shudders He was just learning, pushing an old folding chair across into spring. [email protected] the slippery pond, and he was justifiably frustrated. “I , A.T. P enns , A.T. don’t want to learn, I want to know!” he declared, pout- by Hanna Fries

54 A.T. Journeys / Spring 2019 V i rg inia Cr aft www.appalachiantrail.org P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807

we are the guardians of the appalachian trail

appalachiantrail.org Summit of Kinsman Mountain – A.T. White Mountains. By Aaron Ibey