Stretching from Maine to Georgia through 14 states and over 2,100 miles, the Appalachian Trail (AT) is as historic a trek as any other national park walk east coast or west. Conceived in 1921 as a path to connect mountain work paths, the AT was completed in 1937. Becoming distressed by fallen trees and other heavy brush during World War II, the AT was repaired to working order in 1951. In 1968, Congress passed the National Trails System Act to protect national park trails form any commercial development. The AT was the first trail to fall under the new act.
Today, the trail is cared for and nurtured by the Appalachian Trail Conservatory (tel. 304/535-6331; www.appalachiantrail.org), a non-profit group that tends to the AT's rivers, streams, fields, and keeps the AT in impeccable, appealing condition. The group has a large store selling AT gear, and it also has a "Hiking the Trail" section that gives the low-down on planning a hike, camping locations on a hike, and even bringing your dog along. An important section on parking and shuttle locations to trail entrances is also available through the Conservatory.
The Planning a Hike section includes a pictorial in "Following the Blazes." The AT is marked by a white strip of paint on an eye level rock, tree, or post. Hiking the trail is that easy. When entering territory where sighting the "blazes" can be difficult do to poor weather such as fog or snow, the trail is marked by a rock cairn or a pile of rocks shaped like a lanky pyramid. There are 250 shelters scattered along the AT. They get crowded during rain. Tents can be pitched at certain AT locales. A "leave no trace" advisory applies to the trail, meaning don't start fires. (Using a backpacking stove is recommended.) Safety advisories are also printed online. While no fees are required to trek the trail, permits in some locations like the Great Smokey Mountains in North Carolina, the White Mountains in New Hampshire, and the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Thru-hiking, or the experience of hiking the entire AT, can take five to seven months depending in your speed. Hikers say it's a once-in-a-lifetime hike. An FAQ in thru-hiking can be found at the Conservatory's site as well.
For planned tours of the Appalachian Trail, Footloose (tel. 800/221 0596; www.footloose.com) has ten-day walking tours of the New England portion of the AT. Starting in New York with an exploration of the Green Mountains, the tour walks through the White Mountains and the Baxter Mountains. Costing approximately $959 for a June 30 departure, the package trek includes transportation by an adventure vehicle to your starting points, the services of two Footloose tour leaders, all camping fees and equipment, a guided walking tour of Boston's Freedom Trail, and admission to all National Forests and State Parks as per the itinerary. The beginning of this tour takes you through the Berkshires, areas immortalized by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville. Footloose, through a partnership with TrekAmerica, has been operating adventure treks for over 30 years.
For all terrain vehicle lovers, Appalachian ATV Adventures (tel. 866/ATV-TOGO; www.atvtogo.com) has trips through the North Carolina portion of the trail. Half-day morning or afternoon rides start at $125 per rider. Riders must be above the age of 16. For fit riders experienced in the art of ATV, there's a special five and a half trip starting at $195. The area of Cullowhee is in the Great Smokey Mountain section of North Carolina near the Tennessee border. The season opens on March 31, 2007.
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