Trailway News: Branch Out with New Year’s Resolutions

Trailway News header image, January 13, 2023. Image shows a volunteer painting a white blaze onto a wooden post with a green, rocky hill in the background.

New Year’s Resolutions are notoriously hard to stick to, but the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) might be just the thing we all need to inject a little motivation into our 2023 goals.

Whether you’ve resolved to be more physically active, more engaged with your community, or more supportive of causes you care about in 2023, the A.T. is a great place to get inspired and reach your goals. This week, we’re bringing you some upcoming volunteer and seasonal job opportunities and our best trail running tips to help you start the year!


2023 Volunteer Highlights

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Make Friends, Give Back. The A.T. exists because people like you dedicate their time to caring for the Trail. Volunteer work can be physical (like Trail work or boundary maintenance), but it can also be creative, administrative, and more. Volunteering is a great way to gain skills, make new friends, and forge deeper connections to the A.T.

Volunteer Today

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Our Volunteer Spotlight for January is Irma Graf! Irma has served for many years as a volunteer editor of A.T. guidebooks and maps, piloting three editions of the Appalachian Trail Guide to Central Virginia. Irma’s behind-the-scenes work has been essential for ensuring these publications are up to date for A.T. adventures. Thank you, Irma!

Read More

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Two runners jog along a green, single-track

Photo by Alyssa Godesky

Hit the Trail Running

Trail running provides an opportunity to experience the A.T. in a whole new way. Whether you’re a brand new runner or a seasoned road runner curious about giving the trails a try, our latest blog post lays out a variety of tips for creating an enjoyable trail run on the A.T. — and, of course, taking care of the Trail in the process.

Read More


Two Trail Crew members smile side by side wearing helmets and holding tools.

Photo by Horizonline Pictures

Seasonal Work Opportunities

Spend a season working for an amazing organization (that’s us!) while helping maintain and protect the A.T. There are several seasonal positions currently accepting applications. Visit appalachiantrail.org/careers to learn more.

Learn More & Apply


Trail Updates

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Increased vehicle break-ins have been reported at A.T. trailheads in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Use caution when parking at trailheads and avoid leaving valuables in your vehicle. Report break-ins to local law enforcement and call 911 in emergencies.

Learn More

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ATC offices will be closed on January 16, 2023, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Our Visitor Centers will remain open during regular hours.

Learn More

View All Trail Updates


In Other News…

Finding Love on the A.T. – One Memorial Day hike in 2015 brought two soulmates together on the A.T. When Sarah and Travis ended up at the same campsite during a weekend hike, they sparked a sweet and serendipitous romance. Read the full heartwarming story on CNN Travel.

Focus on the Mid-Atlantic – Maryland Public Television recently showcased the Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, the rich history surrounding the Trail, the work by dedicated volunteers to maintain the A.T. hiking experience, and more! The Harpers Ferry highlight begins at minute marker 13:43.

Expect the Unexpected – Our friends at The Trek highlight “15 Sections of the Appalachian Trail No One Tells You About” — some are harder than many hikers expect, while others are even more beautiful than they could imagine.


Community Spotlight

@hikerwin captures the beauty of an overlook on the Appalachian Trail

Want to be featured in our community spotlight? Follow us on Instagram at @appalachiantrail and use #atcspotlight in your post!


Happy Trails!

Thank you for your continued support and the love you express for the Trail!

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