By Jordan Bowman, ATC Director of Communications
An Enduring Mission
October 14, 2020
In a year of challenges and opportunities, our commitment to protecting, managing and advocating for the A.T. has not changed.
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Be a Voice for the A.T.
This Election Day, Vote with the Trail in Mind
October 6, 2020
We ask everyone to consider the great outdoors and environmental conservation when casting your vote this November 3.
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By Anne Sentz, ATC Landscape Partnership Manager
A Prime Example of A.T. Landscape Protection
October 2, 2020
The conservation of Bald Mountain Pond in Maine highlights the collaboration between the ATC and its partners to protect the Appalachian Trail landscape.
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By Jordan Bowman, ATC Director of Communications
What Makes an A.T. View Great?
September 18, 2020
To better address threats to Appalachian Trail locations, the ATC and the National Park Service are taking inventory of the Trail’s irreplaceable views.
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How to Help
Supporting Those Affected by West Coast Wildfires
September 17, 2020
We can make a difference by supporting each other during this difficult time.
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By Anne Sentz, ATC Landscape Partnership Manager
Partnering for A.T. Landscape Protection
August 13, 2020
A massive amount of collaboration and shared dedication is required to ensure A.T. landscapes are conserved.
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By Dan Hale, ATC New England Natural Resource and Land Stewardship Manager
Montane Spruce-Fir Forests
August 11, 2020
Found in the upper elevations of the Appalachians, Montane Spruce-Fir Forests provide a critical habitat for many rare and federally endangered species.
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By Jake Campbell, ATC Next Generation Advisory Council Member
My Decision to Leave the Trail
July 31, 2020
While Next Generation Advisory Council Member Jake Campbell’s first steps on the Appalachian Trail were a dream come true, he was faced with a difficult decision early on in his 2020 thru-hike.
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Responding to COVID-19
A Reminder to Stay Safe on the A.T.
July 31, 2020
Safety guidelines for A.T. hikers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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By Jordan Bowman, ATC Director of Communications
The Dedication of A.T. Volunteers
July 28, 2020
Month after month and year after year, thousands of volunteers return to the Appalachian Trail to protect and preserve its legacy.
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ATC Staff
Congress Passes the Great American Outdoors Act
July 23, 2020
Receiving overwhelming bipartisan support, this transformative conservation bill will greatly enhance our ability to conserve the Appalachian Trail.
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By Sandra Marra, President & CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Shifting Perspectives and Realities
July 17, 2020
A commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion is critical for the future protection of the Trail.
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Responding to COVID-19
The A.T. on Katahdin Reopens
July 1, 2020
The northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail has reopened, though there are still several precautions to consider before planning your visit.
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By Amanda Wheelock
The Next Generation of Volunteers
July 1, 2020
The ATC is committed to welcoming, training, and supporting the next generation of Trail volunteers through a variety of programs and opportunities.
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By Dan Hale, ATC New England Natural Resource and Land Stewardship Manager
Protecting Pollinators
June 27, 2020
Managing pollinators and their habitats along the Appalachian Trail benefits the ecosystem and us.
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By Jordan Bowman, ATC Director of Communications
A System of Protection
June 26, 2020
2020 events have underlined the importance of the Cooperative Management System in achieving the vision of a protected Appalachian Trail for everyone.
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Responding to COVID-19
June 16, 2020 Update on A.T. Closures and Conditions
June 16, 2020
An update for Appalachian Trail hikers as more states relax stay-at-home restrictions and more sections of the Trail reopen.
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By Jordan Bowman, ATC Director of Communications
A.T. Volunteers: Experts in Conservation
June 13, 2020
From trail maintenance to carpentry and natural resource conservation, volunteers employ a range of skills to protect the Appalachian Trail.
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By Shilletha Curtis
Not Just Another Hiker
June 12, 2020
Shilletha Curtis describes how her experiences outdoors and interactions with A.T. groups online highlight the need for change.
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Learn More
14 Reasons to Start Your Northbound Thru-Hike at Amicalola Falls State Park
July 8, 2020
Appalachian Trail (A.T.) thru-hiker season is almost here! While Springer Mountain, Georgia is the best-known place to start a northbound thru-hike, in fact, more than half of “NOBOs” actually start at another location: Amicalola Falls State Park (AFSP). Here are 14 reasons (one for each of the states the Trail passes through) why you might want to start your thru-hike under the iconic stone arch that marks the beginning of the 8.8-mile Approach Trail, which travels to the southern terminus of the A.T.
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By Shalin Desai, ATC Vice President of Advancement
What is the Cost of a “Priceless” View?
June 9, 2020
The view from McAfee Knob is priceless, but what does it cost to build, maintain and protect an irreplaceable part of the Appalachian Trail Experience for future generations?
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By Sandra Marra, President & CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
A Commitment to Justice
June 1, 2020
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has taken inventory of the social landscape within the Appalachian Trail community and across the United States, and we believe that by making meaningful changes, the A.T. can be a space that is inclusive, open and safe for all.
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By Jordan Bowman, ATC Director of Communications
The Scope of A.T. Volunteerism
May 29, 2020
For almost 100 years, volunteerism has been the bedrock of the Appalachian Trail and the ATC.
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Hike Safely
Updated COVID-19 Guidelines for A.T. Day and Overnight Hikers
May 20, 2020
Recommendations for keeping you and those around you safe and healthy if you are planning to hike on the Appalachian Trail during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Stay Safe
COVID-19 Update for 2020 A.T. Thru-Hikers
May 20, 2020
The ATC asks that thru-hikers continue to postpone their hikes temporarily, though criteria have been identified on when this recommendation could change.
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By Dan Hale, ATC New England Natural Resource and Land Stewardship Manager
Vernal Pools: Temporary Habitats for A.T. Wildlife
May 18, 2020
A temporary world exists for chirping frogs and slippery salamanders in the form of a vernal pool.
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Responding to COVID-19
An Update for 2020 A.T. Hikers
May 11, 2020
The ATC is working quickly to determine the safest way and time for hikers to return to the Trail.
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By David McDowell Schafer
I Was Hired to Be a Ridgerunner
May 8, 2020
Ridgerunner David McDowell Schafer explains how his role has shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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By Sandra Marra, President & CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Our Next Steps for Re-Engaging with the Trail
May 1, 2020
The ATC has convened a task force to develop guidance on how A.T. visitors can re-engage safely with the Trail and help minimize the spread of COVID-19.
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By David McDowell Schafer
Appalachian Trail Wildflowers
April 29, 2020
Spring is here and warmer days are finally upon us, meaning ephemeral spring wildflowers will be sprouting out of the ground to show their gorgeous array of colors.
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By Jordan Bowman, ATC Director of Communications
Advocating for a Protected Trail
April 16, 2020
The Appalachian Trail itself only exists and remains protected because of thousands of dedicated advocates.
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Responding to COVID-19
2020 Thru-Hikers: Picking Up Where You Left Off
March 31, 2020
Due to the safety concerns and closures caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, the ATC has revised its policy for recognizing the 2020 class of A.T. thru-hikers.
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By Sandra Marra, President & CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Please stay off the Appalachian Trail
March 23, 2020
The Appalachian Trail, given its ever-increasing popularity over the past weeks, is no longer a viable space to practice social distancing.
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By Sandra Marra, President & CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
March 19, 2020 Update on COVID-19 and the A.T.
March 19, 2020
An update from ATC President & CEO Sandra Marra on our ongoing actions to reduce the risks of COVID-19 transmission on and around the Appalachian Trail.
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By Sandra Marra, President & CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Updated COVID-19 Guidance for A.T. Multi-day and Thru-Hikers
March 17, 2020
ATC President & CEO Sandra Marra advises multi-day campers and thru-hikers to postpone their hikes due to the risks of COVID-19 transmission.
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By Sandra Marra, President & CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The ATC’s COVID-19 Plan
March 13, 2020
President & CEO Sandra Marra discusses the next steps in helping mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on the Appalachian Trail.
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By Jordan Bowman, ATC Director of Communications
Protecting the Trail’s Continuous Journey
March 5, 2020
Creating a continuous footpath from Maine to Georgia was not a one-time event. In order to preserve the Trail’s full 2,000-mile journey, continual maintenance and guardianship are essential to ensure the A.T. always remains open.
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By Sandra Marra, President & CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Preserving the Trail’s Network of Protectors
February 24, 2020
An upcoming Supreme Court decision could change how the Trail has been managed for over 50 years.
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By Jordan Bowman, ATC Director of Communications
Bear Mountain: A Legacy of Footpath Protection
February 12, 2020
Almost 100 years ago, something extraordinary was happening in the mountains of eastern New York that continues to inspire and inform the ATC’s work today.
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By Jordan Bowman, ATC Director of Communications
Restoring the Atlantic Salmon’s Path to Henderson Brook
December 18, 2019
Deep in Maine’s 100 Mile Wilderness, ATC and its partners are working to restore access to an important water source for native salmon and trout.
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By Julie Judkins, ATC Director of Education and Outreach, & Sasha DeCaro
Massachusetts Youth Receive Training at Trail Stewardship Summit
December 12, 2019
In mid-October 2019, students, educators and service leaders gathered for the MY Trail Summit, learning valuable skills for protecting the Appalachian Trail and America’s public lands.
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By Anne Sentz, ATC Landscape Partnership Manager
Preserving Maine’s Iconic A.T. Views
December 4, 2019
A decades-old conservation project will protect beautiful and environmentally important Maine lands adjacent to five miles of the A.T.
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By Jordan Bowman, ATC Director of Communications
A New Path for the A.T. in Palmerton
November 27, 2019
As life returns to the hills above Palmerton, Pennsylvania, the ATC is working to enhance the A.T. experience for future Trail users.
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By Jordan Bowman, ATC Director of Communications
Uniting to Preserve the South Mountain Range
November 20, 2019
The South Mountain Partnership is determined to preserve this unique landscape home to 60 miles of the A.T.
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by Anne Sentz, ATC Landscape Partnership Manager
Cherry Valley Land Protection Safeguards Five Miles of the Trail
November 13, 2019
The protection of Cherry Valley is a success story not only because of its conservation values, but because it is a real-life example of public-private partnerships that benefit those who live and play in the region.
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by Kathryn Herndon-Powell, ATC Education and Outreach Coordinator
The Preservation of Spy Rock
November 6, 2019
When an increase in visitation threatened one of the Appalachian Trail’s hidden treasures in Virginia, ATC and its partners took action to preserve rare plant species and the fragile surrounding environment.
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by Julie Judkins, ATC Director of Education and Outreach
Women Workdays Provide Opportunities for New Volunteers
October 31, 2019
Wild East Women aims to lift a broader stewardship focus for women connected to the Appalachian Trail.
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by Tom Derr
Fair Energy Development and Recreation Economies
October 29, 2019
Why fair and transparent energy development is essential for the success of communities and businesses reliant on outdoor recreation.
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by Jordan Bowman, ATC Communications Manager
Hogan Hollow Purchase Helps Preserve McAfee Knob Views
October 23, 2019
The purchase of this 243-acre stretch of land will help preserve the irreplaceable views from the Appalachian Trail on McAfee Knob.
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by Jordan Bowman, ATC Communications Manager
Trail Reroute Provides Hands-On Training
October 16, 2019
A half-mile A.T. relocation project gave the next generation of Trail stewards the chance to learn firsthand what it takes to maintain and preserve the A.T.
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by Jordan Bowman, ATC Communications Manager
E3 Summit Provides Experience to the Next Generation
October 9, 2019
Designed to provide the next generation of conservationists with hands-on experience and skills, the E3 summit focused on everything from trail-building workshops to night sky preservation.
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by Jordan Bowman, ATC Communication Manager
Saving the Roan Highland Red Spruce Forests
October 2, 2019
The red spruce forests in the Roan Highlands have become an inseparable part of the Appalachian Trail experience, but action must be taken to ensure they are a healthy, lasting part of the Roan ecosystem.
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by Tom Derr
Cooperative Management is Key on the A.T.
October 1, 2019
The A.T. survives today due to the dedicated work of three separate, but interlocking, categories of cooperating Trail champions.
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by Laurie Potteiger, Information Services Manager
Lightning Safety
September 3, 2019
Lightning is one of the most spectacular and powerful phenomena in nature, with power to kill or maim people, explode trees, and start wildfires. However, many of us tend to be too cavalier, not thinking about the force and destruction it can unleash. Perhaps we view it like a rainbow or comet—something far away, majestic and beautiful, that will never touch us.
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By Brendan Mysliwiec, ATC Director of Federal Policy and Legislation
The Cowpasture Decision
August 30, 2019
This important decision could determine how energy infrastructure is sited over the Appalachian Trail and how the Trail Corridor is managed.
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by Charlie Robbins, NextGen Forest Ambassador
Becoming a NextGen Forest Ambassador
August 26, 2019
Charlie Robbins, an adventurous NextGen Forest Ambassador, writes about his experience at the Next Generation Forest Ambassador Youth Summit earlier this year.
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by ATC Staff
A Year Stronger: Appalachian Trail Successes in 2018
December 31, 2018
2018 was a big year for the Appalachian Trail, filled with multiple milestones and the long-awaited completion of several ongoing projects.
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The Search for Bicknell's Thrush
A Song at Dawn
January 21, 2019
Nick Lund of Maine Audubon shares his face-to-face encounter with one of the rarest (and most elusive!) birds in the country.
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By Alyson Browett
This Tiny Beetle is Killing the Appalachian Trail’s Ash Trees
November 15, 2018
The emerald ash borer is decimating the ash tree population along the Appalachian Trail. If it isn’t stopped, it will change our forests forever.
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by Michela Williams
Appalachian Trail Pioneers: Marcia Fairweather
October 30, 2018
Marcia Fairweather broke new ground in 2008 when she completed the first known section-hike of the Appalachian Trail by an African American.
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by Lynsey “Stubbs” Abrams
Post Trail Depression: What it’s Like, How it Happens & How to Get Over It
October 18, 2018
After a long hike on the Appalachian Trail, returning to the “real world” can leave some hikers feeling blue. Thru-hiker Lynsey “Stubbs” Abrams discusses “post trail depression” and ways to help avoid it.
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by Alyson Browett
Planning a Family Hike: Reconnecting Your Loved Ones with the Outdoors
September 21, 2018
Helpful tips for helping family members of all ages experience and appreciate their next outdoor adventure.
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by Brian King, ATC Publisher
The Last 2 Miles
August 14, 2018
81 years ago on August 14, 1937, the final link of the Appalachian Trail was completed, creating an interconnected path stretching from Georgia to Maine.
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by Brian King, ATC Publisher
“The Long Cruise” – Celebrating 70 Years of the A.T. Thru-Hiking Tradition
August 5, 2018
August 5, 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the first recorded Appalachian Trail thru-hike by Earl V. Shaffer, affectionately known as “The Crazy One.”
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by Alyson Browett
A.T. Communities: Gateways to Economic and Stewardship Success
August 3, 2018
How the A.T. Community™ program helps protect the Appalachian Trail and builds the outdoor recreation economy in Trail towns.
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by Jim Fetig, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
A.T. Hiker Hacks: Simple & Cheap Ways to Enhance Your Next Backcountry Adventure
July 20, 2018
There are many common hacks worth knowing that can make life on the trail lighter, easier, safer and less costly.
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by Alyson Browett
A Voice For The Land: Building the A.T. Landscape Partnership
June 12, 2018
Learn how the ATC and its partners are working to protect not only the A.T. footpath, but also the irreplaceable landscapes and ecosystems surrounding the Trail.
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by Katie Oliver, ATC Trail Crew Leader
Always Worth It: How I Fell in Love with Life on a Trail Crew
May 9, 2018
ATC Trail Crew Leader Katie Oliver recalls why she returns every year to work on an ATC Trail Crew — no matter how bad the weather is.
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by Alyson Browett
Flip Flop Hiking: Helping Conserve the Trail and Sustain Communities
April 21, 2018
More and more, hikers are choosing to begin their hikes at various locations along the A.T.’s corridor, hiking north or south, and then “flip-flopping” back to their starting location and hiking the opposite direction to finish the Trail.
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by Anne Baker, ATC Landscape Partnership Manager
Moving Forward: LWCF and a Thriving Appalachian Landscape
April 11, 2018
As we move forward in our efforts to protect the Appalachian Trail, the importance of tools like the Land & Water Conservation Fund only become more apparent.
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By Brian King, ATC Publisher
The A.T. Bill of 1978
March 18, 2018
2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the Appalachian Trail Bill of 1978, a pivotal moment in the history of the A.T. and the ATC.
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by Brian Threlkeld
100 Mile Wild: A Winter Trek Through Maine’s 100 Mile Wilderness
February 22, 2018
Brian Threlkeld and his team are taking on an extreme A.T. challenge: traversing the 100 Mile Wilderness in the middle of a Maine winter.
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by ATC Staff
The Path to Love: Three Love Stories from the Appalachian Trail
February 14, 2018
Three true stories from Appalachian Trail Conservancy staff about the love they found on the A.T.
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by Alyson Browett
On the Right Foot: ATC to Offer “Start Well” Hiking Classes for Northbound Thru-Hikers
February 13, 2018
The ATC will be holding daily hour-long classes to ensure northbound thru-hikers are prepared for successful and sustainable A.T. journeys.
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By Roland “Tony” Richardson
A Hike Through History
February 13, 2017
In October 2016, a group of seven African-American outdoor enthusiasts embarked on a four-day backpacking trip on the A.T. to retrace the journeys of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad through the Appalachian Mountains.
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by Ashley Kelton
This Land is Our Land: A Reflection
December 15, 2017
High school senior Ashley “Asha” Kelton describes her experience at the Massachusetts Youth Trail Summit and how it solidified her appreciation for America’s public lands.
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by Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Hit the Trail for #OptOutside 2017
November 24, 2017
This Black Friday, Nov. 24, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy ATC is proud to #OptOutside alongside REI and many other companies and organizations.
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