April 23, 2021
Trailway News: Every Day is Earth Day
Earth Day has come and gone, but doing our part to conserve our planet is something that should be on our minds every day! For the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, that means not only caring for the iconic 2,193.1-mile footpath from Maine to Georgia, but also the surrounding landscapes that provide jaw-dropping views, vital wildlife habitats, and, importantly, will help play an important role in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
In our latest blog post, learn more about the A.T. Landscape Partnership and its focus on making the Trail a climate-resilient corridor, which will ensure the benefits of this one-of-a-kind footpath (and its surrounding lands) continue for centuries to come.
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Lead image courtesy of Joe Goldston
Image courtesy of Sheryl Mills, U.S. Forest Service
Trail News
A.T. Reopens on Peters Mountain
15.3 miles of the A.T. on Peters Mountain, which straddles Virginia and West Virginia, have officially reopened after roughly two months of emergency closure. Following an ice storm in mid-February 2021, the A.T. from VA641/Clendennin Road (NOBO Mile 641.4) to Pine Swamp Branch Shelter (NOBO Mile 656.7) was closed for transmission tower repair. Our thanks go out to Appalachian Electric Power, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Outdoor Club at Virginia Tech for their hard work to repair the damage, help re-establish the Trail route and restore the impacted site.
When passing through the area, hikers are asked to stay on the Trail to help ensure the area regrows as quickly as possible. A layer of “hydroseeding” has been spread over the impacted area (blue/green in color, pictured here), which will help decrease erosion, establish pollinators and ward off invasive species.
By staying on the marked A.T. pathway, you will help the environment surrounding the Trail rebound as quickly as possible.
Trail News
A.T. Shelters Reopen on U.S. Forest Service Lands
All A.T. shelters located in the Chattahoochee-Oconee, Nantahala, Pisgah, Cherokee, and George Washington-Jefferson National Forests in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia were re-opened by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. These shelters were previously closed by USFS to assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19 among visitors.
As social distancing is difficult in shelters, hikers are advised to be self-reliant and use a personal shelter. Click here for tips on camping safely on the A.T. during the pandemic.
New Collection
Hydro Flask Launches Limited Edition Scenic Trails Bottle Series
Take along an icon on your next adventure and support the Trail! Earlier this week, Hydro Flask unveiled its Limited Edition Scenic Trail series collection as part of its Parks For All program. Hydro Flask is donating one dollar per bottle, up to $65,000, toward the stewardship of three of America’s iconic trails: the A.T., the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail.
In Other News…
The A.T. Ed-Venture Series Continues
The A.T. Ed-Venture virtual series is back! Join educator Stefan Moss and Greening Youth Foundation Director of Operations Eboni Preston as they share how connections to nature and legacies on the land can be expressed and preserved through the written and spoken word.
Community Spotlight
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Happy Trails!
Please donate today to ensure the A.T. we all love benefits us today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.