By CJ Thompson

A.T. Community Spotlight: Clayton-Rabun County, Georgia

July 17, 2024

This June marked the two-year anniversary of Clayton – Rabun County’s designation as the 51st Appalachian Trail Community. Now, as we reflect on these past two years, we can see the significant impact this designation has had on our community and understand more deeply what it means to be a “Trail Town.”

Embracing MacKaye’s Vision

The Appalachian Trail’s originator, Benton MacKaye, envisioned the Trail and its surrounding landscape providing opportunities for recreation, recuperation, and employment. “The project is one for a series of recreational communities throughout the Appalachian chain…to be connected by a walking trail,” MacKaye wrote in his original proposal for the Trail. As one of these recreational communities, Clayton – Rabun County has fully embraced its role over the past two years.

Kicking Off the Journey

The 51st Trail Community Kick Off Event; Clayton-Rabun County GA

The 51st Trail Community Kick Off Event with Sarah Adams and Drew Ball of the A.T.C., Rick Story of Forward Rabun, Clayton Mayor Kurt Cannon, Rabun County Manager Darrin Giles and Cory McCall of Outdoor 76. Photo by CJ Thompson.

The community got off to a big start with its first A.T. Community Kick Off event, hosting dozens of local businesses and community leaders for a well-attended afternoon of food, fun, and Trail education. Over the following months, the people and businesses of Rabun County jumped into the effort wholeheartedly, with the A.T. Community Committee leading the way and coordinating many activities.

Supporting Hikers and Local Businesses

One of the most notable initiatives has been the introduction of a designated A.T. shuttle service by local outfitter and supporter business, Outdoor 76. This shuttle brings hikers to and from the Trail to downtown Clayton, offering them a chance to experience our town.

Outdoor 76’s Volunteer Hiker Shuttle

Outdoor 76’s Volunteer Hiker Shuttle. Photos courtesy of Outdoor 76.

Many volunteers drive the shuttle, which operates daily in March and April when the southern section of the A.T. is bustling with hikers. Another supporter business, Of These Mountains, has collaborated with the U.S. Forest Service and Appalachian Trail Conservancy to offer Trail education and information during the Spring Marketplace event. Our list of supporter businesses has grown to 16 and continues to expand.

Fostering Trail Stewardship

Trail stewardship has become a cornerstone of our community. Recently, the A.T. Community Committee obtained a grant through the A.T. license plate grant program to build a kiosk in downtown Clayton, providing information about the A.T. and our town’s designation as an A.T. Community. The committee also organizes Trail clean-up and maintenance days, working with local groups such as the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, the student Outdoor Adventure Club at Tallulah Falls School, Rabun County High School’s Outdoor Club, and local scout troops. These efforts enhance understanding of the Trail, environmental responsibility, and local biology and ecology. Being an A.T. Community emphasizes the importance of protecting our outdoor spaces and preserving the environment that makes our area so special.

Celebrating Our Achievements

Downtown Clayton A.T. Kiosk

Downtown Clayton A.T. Kiosk. Photos by Linda Scofield.

The community’s second A.T. Community anniversary celebration included a ribbon cutting ceremony for our downtown Trail Kiosk and a fundraising night at our local brewery, Currahee Brewing Co., which raised over $3,000 for the A.T. Community initiative. This celebration underscored how becoming the 51st A.T. Community has not only connected Clayton – Rabun County with the larger A.T. community but also served as a catalyst for enhancing local economic development, encouraging environmental stewardship, and fostering community engagement.

In summary, our journey as an A.T. Community over the past two years has been transformative. We look forward to continuing to build on this foundation, further integrating the Appalachian Trail into our community and enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike.