The 30th annual Gathering at North Adams and Williamstown, Mass., included a magnificent view
of the Greylock Reservation from our campsite in Williamstown. (Photo by Jojo Koby-Burley)
2012 Trail Festivals Southern Ruck, Wesser, N.C. Jan. 13-14
It's held at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, right on the Appalachian Trail. For information, check out the website at www.soruck.net.
PA Ruck, Bears Den Hostel, Bluemont, Va. Jan. 27-29
It's being held in a new location this year, but still on the Appalachian Trail, because of renovations at Ironmasters Mansion Hostel in Pennsylvania. For information, check out the website at www.paruck.com.
A.T. Celebration and Backpack Clinic March 2-4
Amicalola Falls State Park, the entry point to the Appalachian Trail via the state park in Northern Georgia.
Spring on Springer AT Trail Fest in Dahlonega, Ga. March 16-18
For information, check out the website at www.Dahlonegatrailfest.org.
Franklins April Fools Trail Days in Franklin, N.C. March 30-31
The date says it all. Should be fun! For more information, visit www.hikerbash.ronhaven.com
Trailfest, Hot Springs, N.C. April 21
The Trailfest in Hot Springs is smaller than Trail Days but in a way a lot more homier. If you want to enjoy Hot Springs like you never were able to while thru-hiking, check out this festival. Check out the Trailfest Web page of Madison County.
Trail Days, Damascus, Va. May 18-20
It is always the weekend AFTER Mothers Day, although there are usually some events held during the week leading up to the actual weekend. Visit the website at http://www.traildays.us.
National Trails Day June 2
There will be a host of activities all around the nation to celebrate National Trails Day, always the first Saturday in June.
A.T. Hall of Fame weekend, Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, and Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Gardners, Pa. June 8-9
The Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame will induct its second class of honorees on Friday night, June 8, probably at Allenbery, and the next afternoon will hold a festival celebrating the inductees in conjunction with the A.T. Museum in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, on the A.T. in Gardners, Pa. The June 9 event coincides with a Saturday morning celebration of the outdoors at Pine Grove. Visit the museum website at www.atmuseum.org/ for information as the date gets closer.
Hike for History, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Gardners, Pa. Saturday, Sept. 15
The A.T. Museum will hold a major fundraiser called the Hike for History in a bid to raise much needed funds to expand the museum to the building's upper floors. More details will be posted on the museum's website, www.atmuseum.org/.
Trail's End Festival, Millinocket, Maine Sept. 15-17
This small but cozy festival taps into the early colors of northern Maine with Mount Katahdin as a backdrop. For more information, visit www.trailsendfestival.org.
ALDHA West, at Camp Arrah Wanna, Welches, Ore. Sept. 28-30
ALDHA West, a separate organization out West with similar interests as ALDHA, has more information on its website at www.aldhawest.org/.
31st ALDHA Gathering, Concord University, Athens, W.Va. Oct. 12-14
The 2012 Gathering will be back at the friendly, familiar confines of Concord University in Athens, W.Va., but it will take place on the weekend AFTER Columbus Day. As the time draws closer, we plan to post more information on the Gathering page. Camping will once again be available at the Appalachian South Folklife Center in nearby Pipestem.
