July 1, 2022
Trailway News: Happy Independence Day Weekend
The Independence Day weekend is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, and for many that means a hike on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). You can help preserve the Trail and surrounding landscape by practicing Leave No Trace:
Pack it in, pack it out: Take home everything you brought with you to the Trail, especially trash! This includes items labeled “biodegradable,” such as wipes, and compostable food scraps.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces: When selecting a campsite or relaxing at a vista, check to see if there are prior impacted areas and stick to those spots to help keep the Trail and campsites from widening – look for bare rock or soil.
Share the Trail: Popular destinations along the Trail are likely to be even busier over the holiday weekend. Take the opportunity to visit lesser-known areas and be respectful of other visitors you meet along the way.
Photo by Laurie Potteiger
Practice Fire Safety
Many sections of the Trail are now experiencing drier, hotter weather. Forgoing a campfire altogether is best (and required in some sections). Where campfires are allowed and you choose to have one, you can minimize your impact by following some simple guidelines.
Plan to leave fireworks at home. Not only do they pose a serious wildfire risk, create trash, and can spoil the experience of other visitors, they are not legal everywhere along the Trail. Instead, you may be able catch a town-sponsored firework show from a ridgeline or summit!
Don’t Tempt the Bears
Bears have an exceptionally keen sense of smell, so an important step in protecting yourself (and the bears) from unwanted encounters is to store food and trash properly. The ATC recommends all overnight hikers use a bear canister. Lending programs are available in both Georgia and Vermont.
Visitor Center Holiday Hours
In recognition of the holiday on Monday, there will be no pop-up on the Damascus Trail Center lawn on July 4. The Monson Visitor Center will be closed on Thursday, July 7.
In Other News…
Seeking Great A.T. Photos – Have a jaw-dropping photo of the Appalachian Trail? Would someone enjoy looking at it for up to 31 days straight? If so, we are accepting submissions of digital images for the official 2024 ATC calendar until Friday, July 15. Learn more
Just Two Weeks Left for Board Nominations – The deadline to submit a nomination for the ATC’s Board of Directors is Friday, July 15. We are looking for candidates who can add diversity of thought to the current Board, and who can demonstrate a passion for the A.T. and the mission of the ATC. If you or someone you know is interested in serving on the ATC Board, here’s how to apply.
Happy Birthday, Great Smoky Mountains National Park! – The oldest national park along the Trail turned 88 last month. Read a news article about its history and watch a historic video made in 1936, two years after President Franklin Roosevelt established the park.
Community Spotlight
Happy Trails!
Thank you for your continued support and the love you express for the Trail!