Trailway News: See You at the Flip-Flop Kickoff!

Photo by Scott Ramsey Photography at Max Patch
In this week’s Trailway News, talk the talk before you walk the walk by checking out Volume 1 of our Decoding the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) series! You can also submit your photos for the next state (hint: the Volunteer State!) in our State-by-State photo contest, and learn more about upcoming events on the Trail!

Photo by Douglas Wright
Read Our Latest Blog: Decoding the Appalachian Trail, Volume 1
Alpine zones, bear canisters, corridors? There are so many unique words, phrases, and symbols associated with the A.T.
The first part of our Decoding the Appalachian Trail series defines and demystifies some of these symbols to help remove barriers to accessing the Trail. Did we miss a term? Read the post and let us know what other words, phrases, and symbols we should define in Volume 2!

Photo by Thomas “Badger” Mabry
State-by-State Photo Contest Continues with Tennessee
We want to highlight the unique character and beauty of the A.T. as it passes through each state — and we need your help to do it! Next up in our State-by-State Photo Contest is Tennessee!
Send us your photos from the Volunteer State by April 9 for a chance to win!

Save the Date! The Flip-Flop Kickoff is on April 22-23
Join the ATC at this year’s Flip-Flop Kickoff on April 22-23!
New for 2023: you can now register in advance for all of the free, informative workshops during the Flip-Flop Kickoff. Click below to read more about each workshop and register to secure your spot!

Photo by Robert Amos in Pisgah National Forest
ATC Works with Partners to Restore Southern Forests
The ATC is excited to partner with Pisgah National Forest and the wider conservation community in Western North Carolina to engage on critical restoration projects on our public lands and the A.T. landscape.
Thanks to increased funding, the ATC will be able to continue our important work in this region alongside our partners.
Trail Updates

Pennsylvania’s Big Flat parking lot will soon close for maintenance. The Big Flat A.T. parking lot off Shippensburg Road (NOBO mile 1,096.5) will be closed starting on March 28, 2023, for maintenance. The lot will be graded and new gravel will be spread the following day. Visitors should avoid parking in the Big Flat lot on March 28-29.

Preservation work will begin soon on the Ledyard Bridge. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) plans to conduct preservation work this summer on Ledyard Bridge, which spans the Connecticut River between Norwich, VT, and Hanover, NH (NOBO mile 1,755.5). The A.T. on the bridge will remain open and there will be pedestrian traffic and safety controls in place in the construction zone.

Check prescribed burns before hiking. Prescribed burns are currently scheduled for several areas that may impact the A.T. Be sure to check the ATC’s Trail Updates page for the latest information on prescribed burns along the A.T.
In Other News…
The first group of Warrior Hike veterans start their journey. – The ATC wishes the first group of Warrior Expeditions veterans a safe and successful journey as they begin their 2,190+ mile trek from Georgia to Maine.
Ohio Magazine ranks the A.T. among the best adventures in West Virginia – It wouldn’t be a trip to the Mountain State without spending some time on the A.T.
Check out the ATC’s latest TikTok – Did you know that approximately two-thirds of the U.S. population lives within a day’s drive to the A.T.? Start planning your next A.T. adventure with our latest TikTok.
Community Spotlight
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!