Tips on Hiking the Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is so vast that it offers opportunities for nearly every type of hiker. You can hop on the trail at nearly any location and go for a short and easy hike, or a long, strenuous trip. This versatile trail offers unparalleled chances to explore and get back to nature.

Geography

The Appalachian Trail is a footpath that spans 2,160 miles across the Appalachian Mountains. Over 96 percent of the trail is protected by federal or state ownership and it passes through over 60 different parks and forests. The trail stretches from Maine to Georgia, crossing through New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. The highest point of the trail is Clingman's Dome, located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. The Appalachian Trail is easily accessible by roads which cross it along all but the last 100 miles on the north end of the trail. When selecting the best part of the trail for your hike, it can be helpful to note some of the distinguishing characteristics in various states. Connecticut has the only part of the trail designed for wheelchair accessibility. In New York, the trail passes through Harriman-Bear State Park and the Trailside Museum and Zoo at Bear Mountain. New Jersey features a wildlife sanctuary which is home to many bird species. In Virginia, the trail connects with Harper's Ferry, making this an ideal beginning or ending point. The trail throughout North Carolina passes through deep forests that often give way to natural view points.

Time Frame

Trail conditions are generally best in spring and fall months, though conditions vary at different points on the trail. In Maine and New Hampshire, the best months for hiking are July and August. Vermont is best between June and September. May through early October is the ideal time for hiking the trail in Massachusetts and Connecticut. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia are best visited either in late April through early June, or September and October. The trail in Tennessee and North Carolina is ideal when visited between May and October. Georgia's conditions are ideal in April, May, September and October.

Function

When outfitting yourself for a hike through the Appalachian Trail, you have several options. For clothing, be prepared to protect yourself from cold and rain. Avoid cotton and instead opt for synthetic fabrics. Wear lots of thin layers so that you can easily adjust according to the temperature. Don't rely on your starting temperature holding out, even for a short day hike. You will find the trail gets significantly colder with altitude. Mt. Washington, in New Hampshire, sees snow every month of the year. The White Mountains here are especially beautiful but can be very cold. On the other end of the spectrum, parts of the trail that cross through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virgina can be extremely hot and humid in the summer months. You should wear broken-in, well-fitting hiking boots for your trip. If you are planning to hike a long distance, wear shoes half a size too big, as your feet will swell. The Appalachian Trail is infamously rocky as it passes through Pennsylvania and can tear up even the toughest boots. For the best hiking conditions, avoid wet, rainy seasons. Vermont is especially difficult between the middle of April and Memorial Day.

The equipment you need will depend greatly on the length of your hike. However, you should always have the basics, even if you're only going for a short hike. These include a map, compass, water, sunscreen, a whistle, and snacks. If you will be gone for an entire day you should also include rain gear, a first aid kit, and a garbage bag. For longer hikes, you will need to take a flashlight, emergency tarp, sharp knife, and fire starter. For camping overnight, in addition to all the previous items, you will need shelter, lightweight cookware, a stove, sleeping pads and sleeping bags, a method for filtering water, and a rope to hang your food overnight.

Considerations

Food for your hike is especially important for longer backpacking trips. You should never need more than a week's worth of food. For hikes that last longer than a week, plan to leave the trail occasionally to resupply in nearby towns. Resupply points on the Appalachian Trail are typically three to five days apart. You should plan on a diet of at least 3,000 to 4,000 calories a day. If you are hiking through, plan for 5,000 to 7,000. Slightly less than two pounds of food per day should be sufficient for a lightweight backpacking trip. In colder weather, plan for closer to 2 1/2 pounds of food per day. When planning your trip, take into consideration the specific conditions on the part of the trail that you will be hiking. The Appalachian Trail has a wide range of hiking conditions. The toughest parts of the trail are at the northernmost end, in Maine. Some of the easiest sections of trail are in Maryland, where there is frequent access to towns and highways.

Features

When hiking the Appalachian Trail, it's important to keep on the lookout for blazes. These paint marks occur throughout the trail to help hikers identify their route. Marks that occur high above the tree line, or in areas where snow or fog may hide them will be accompanied by rock piles and posts, known as cairns. White paint blazes are used to mark the main Appalachian Trail. Blue marks identify side trails and shelter trails. The blazes are typically painted in the shape of a rectangle. Two blazes painted one above the other indicate a sudden turn or other change in the trail that hikers should be especially aware of. The distance between blazes will vary, but should never be more than a quarter-mile. If the blazes conflict with your map or guide book, it is best to trust the blazes.

Resources

• Appalacian Trail Conservancy
• The Ultimate Appalachian Trail Store