Appalachian Trail Companion
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Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers’ Companion Robert Sylvester Editor Harpers Ferry State iii Cover photograph: On Katahdin. © Valerie Long. Maps © 2009–2010 David Miller; revised in 2012 by Robert Sylvester © 2013 Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, Inc. All rights reserved Printed in the United States on recycled paper Twentieth edition Published by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy 799 Washington Street (P.O. Box 807) Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425-0807 <www.appalachiantrail.org> Except for the individual personal uses suggested on page vii, no part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording or by any information storage-and-retrieval system, without the written permission of the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, 10 Benning Street, PMB 224, West Lebanon, NH 03784. World Wide Web site: <www.aldha.org>. ISBN 978-1-889386-84-3 Th e sunrise logo on the previous page and the back cover is a registered trademark of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Th e hiker logo on the cover and the previous page is a registered trademark of the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association. iv Appalachian Trail Th ru-Hikers’ Companion–201 Foreword ............................................................................................................................. iv About the Companion ....................................................................................................... v Using the Companion....................................................................................................... vii Issues on the Trail ............................................................................................................. ix 2013 Calendar...................................................................................................................xviii On the Appalachian Trail Getting to the Termini ...................................................................................................... 1 Georgia ................................................................................................................................. 9 North Carolina .................................................................................................................. 20 Great Smoky Mountains National Park .........................................................................30 North Carolina & the Tennessee Border ...................................................................... 38 Tennessee ........................................................................................................................... 52 Virginia: Part 1 (Southwest) ............................................................................................ 58 Part 2 (Central) ......................................................................................................... 72 Part 3 (Shenandoah National Park) ........................................................................92 Part 4 (Northern) ....................................................................................................108 West Virginia .................................................................................................................. 114 Maryland .......................................................................................................................... 120 Pennsylvania .................................................................................................................... 127 New Jersey ........................................................................................................................ 150 New York .......................................................................................................................... 158 Connecticut ..................................................................................................................... 169 Massachusetts .................................................................................................................. 178 Vermont ............................................................................................................................ 193 New Hampshire .............................................................................................................. 211 Maine ................................................................................................................................ 232 Appendices Post Offi ces along the Appalachian Trail ................................................................... 261 Hostels, Camping & Showers .........................................................................................268 Equipment Manufacturers & Distributors ................................................................. 272 Dates to Remember (2013) ..............................................................................................275 ALDHA Membership Form .......................................................................................... 276 State v Welcome to the twentieth edition of the Appalachian Trail Th ru-Hikers’ Compan- ion. Why another edition of this book? Th e simple answer is that the Appalachian Trail and the community that surrounds this famous footpath are continuous works in progress. Every year, businesses close or emerge, fees change, town maps need revision, shelters are built or renovated, and sections of the Trail are relo- cated. Th ank you for picking up this edition. Th e 2013 Companion is a carefully conceived, diligently compiled book that belongs in the possession of every Appalachian Trail hiker. Our hope is that the Companion, used in conjunction with Trail maps, will lead the reader into making informed decisions about towns and services for re- supply options. Th is book is the culmination of the volunteer eff orts of more than thirty ALDHA fi eld editors and ATC staff members who worked to make this edition as accurate as possible. To everyone who contributed in some way to the publication of this book, many thanks. A guidebook, like the Trail, is not a static document. Each hiker may discover something previously unknown. Your contributions are vital to this process. Your comments are most welcome — and requested! We rely on hikers’ feedback to help us update future editions. Please send your comments on this book to ALDHA at the e-mail address on page xvi, along with any corrections to Trail, shelter, or town descriptions. Robert Sylvester Editor vi Appalachian Trail Th ru-Hikers’ Companion–2013 Th e Companion is compiled, written, and edited by volunteers of the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association (ALDHA) and published by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) as a service to those seeking to explore the Trail. It is intended for those making thru-hikes but is also valuable for those taking shorter section-hikes or overnight backpacking trips. Th e Companion provides you with details on shelters, water sources, post offi ces, hostels, campgrounds, lodging, groceries, restaurants, outfi tters, and other related services along the Trail. In addition, the Companion off ers information of historical signifi cance about places you pass through while hiking the A.T. Unlike commercial guides, this book benefi ts from the latest information from volunteers who measure, maintain, and manage the Trail and those who hike it regularly. Due to publication deadlines, we cannot guarantee that the information in this book will not change by the time you arrive in an area, despite the eff orts of volunteers to acquire the most up-to-date information. Businesses close or change hours, hostels change rates and policies, and the Trail itself is subject to relocation. Th is edition was produced in the fall of 2012. As you walk, talk to other hikers, and read shelter registers. Th e Conservancy’s Web site periodically posts updates at <www.appalachiantrail.org/hiking/trail-updates/ thru-hikers-companion>, which you can also reach by using a “smartphone” equipped with a QR reader and the code on the back cover of this book. Inclusion in this book is not an endorsement by ALDHA or ATC, but rather a listing of services available and contacted by fi eld editors. Likewise, the businesses listed do not pay for “advertisements” but are listed because of their proximity to the Trail. ALDHA members do fi eld research for each section of the Trail and are instrumental in gathering information. Without the hard work of the following ALDHA fi eld edi- tors, other volunteers, and ATC staff members, this book would not have been pos- sible: Georgia and North Carolina—Scott Dowling (Pilgrim), Ann W. Th omas (Timberpixie); North Carolina and Tennessee—Lamar Powell (Hopeful), Sunny Riggs (Sunrise), Tom Bradford (10-K), Miss Janet Hensley, Tim Steward (Mountain Squid); Central Virginia—Laurie Foot (Happy Feet), Pat Ohleger, Leonard Adkins (Habitual Hiker); Northern Virginia—David and Sue Hennel (Gourmet Dave and Th e Real Gourmet); West Virginia—ATC Information Services Manager Laurie Pot- teiger (Mountain Laurel); Maryland—Mike Wingeart (Wingheart); Southern Penn- sylvania—Jack Vose (Camo Jack); Northern Pennsylvania—Mary Ann Nissley (M.A. About the Companion vii from Pa.); New Jersey—Deborah Melita (Baby Carrots); New York—Robert Cun- ningham (EZ), Mark Hudson (Skeeter); Connecticut—Tom Evans (Flatlander); Mas- sachusetts—Mary Higley (Fussy Mary), Kevin Reardon (Slider), Hannah Reardon (Catamount); Vermont—Jeff Taussig, Kathy