Side Trails

Trail festivals
Your guide to the various trail conferences, meetings, festivals, etc., during the course of the year.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy
News from ATC headquarters in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. You can also order maps, books and other supplies from this site. Bookmark this location: www.appalachiantrail.org.

Trail Journals
Trail Journals is a journal site dedicated to providing backpacking journals from hiking trails from all over the world.

The Appalachian Trail Home Page
The page that’s considered the granddady of Trail home pages, created by Kathy Bilton of Shepherdstown, W.Va. Kathy has inspired more than a few folks to try their hands at home pages, including the folks behind this one.

ALDHA West
A similar organization to ALDHA, the American Long Distance Hiking Association, or ALDHA West, has details on its annual Gathering.

Walkin’ Jim Stoltz ^_ Forever Wild
ALDHA member and backpacking balladeer, “Walkin’ Jim” Stoltz, has set up a new home page following the success of his six-month, 2,750-mile fund-raising trek last year on the Pacific Crest Trail. This new site, launched April 1, 1997, includes photos from the trail and audio clips of his music.

The Earl Shaffer Foundation
The organization that was created in the wake of Earl Shaffer’s death has a number of projects under way, all of which will benefit the preservation of Earl’s legacy as the first man to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.

TrailQuest
David Mauldin, who thru-hiked the A.T. in 1992 as “Rainmaker,” has set up an A.T. chat page. They have hundreds of members all across the U.S. and also in several other countries. Their new Web site has many interesting topics and pages dealing with hiking in general, and with the Appalachian Trail in particular. In addition, they provide free journal space (and setup) for thru-hikers who wish to post an online journal.

The Katahdin Art Project
The Katahdin Art Project is a collaboration between the Earl Shaffer Foundation and Crest Photography. It combines Earl Shaffer’s poetry and Bart Smith’s photography to create a tribute to Mount Katahdin. All proceeds minus costs of $150 per unit will be donated to the Earl Shaffer Foundation. It was Earl’s decision to direct a portion of his foundation funds to the creation of an Appalachian Trail Museum as well as the trail clubs along the A.T.

Where to Park Along the A.T.
Would you like to quickly find out the best places to park when visiting sections of the Appalachian Trail? Folks in Pennsylvania started recording the information for their home state and have since expanded it to include the entire Appalachian Trail. But they need help, and if you would like to send them info to fill in the gaps, a lot of other people would be most appreciative.

Other good trails to follow . . .

Pacific Crest Trail This is the home page of the Pacific Crest Trail Association, for A.T. hikers who want to check out more information before taking the plunge on this increasingly popular (and longer) followup to an A.T. thru-hike.	Continental Divide Trail The CDT Society promotes development and management of the CDT as a quiet nonmotorized trail. CDTS, established in 1978, has members in 45 states. It publishes guidebooks and a newsletter, DIVIDEnds.
Benton MacKaye Trail The 290-mile trail in North Georgia and eastern Tennessee is named for the man who dreamed up the Appalachian Trail.	John Muir Trail If you have only three weeks available but want a taste of hiking in the West, try this 212-mile trail.
Finger Lakes Trail The 552-mile FLT connects the Catskills with the Alleghenies and hooks into other trails.	The Sheltowee Trace This trail in Kentucky and Tennessee has its own Web page now.
The North Country Trail The North Country National Scenic Trail is a premier footpath that stretches over 4,000 miles linking communities, forests and prairies across seven northern states.	The Ice Age Trail About 500 miles of what will eventually become a 1,000-mile trail have been completed across Wisconsin’s glacial landscape.
The American Discovery Trail Cited as a “cool site” for the day, the home page of the ADT carries useful information to introduce this newest of the long-distance trails in the U.S., and info on efforts to get congressional recognition as a new, multi-purpose kind of national trail.	The International Appalachian Trail This is the official Web page of the new International A.T., which has already been hiked by a few members of ALDHA, notably John Brinda and M.J. Eberhart. We have also posted background stories on both the trail and one of its biggest boosters.
Alabama Trail Association Alabama’s Pinhoti Trail will someday connect the southern Appalachians with the A.T.	East Coast Trail Association Canadians are trying to establish an East Coast Trail as a complement to their West Coast Trail.
Metacomet-Monadnock Trail A 117-mile hiking trail from southern New Hampshire to Connecticut explained on a page that features photos and a user-friendly trail guide.	Loyalsock Trail The Alpineclub of Williamsport, Pa., has posted a home page that is also the official Web site of the Loyalsock Trail in Pennsylvania.
The Colorado Trail Another popular followup trail for people who want a taste of trails out West. The CT stretches almost 500 miles from Denver to Durango.	The Long Path Here’s a great Web site devoted to a worthy trail, thanks to Ed Walsh, Long Path End to End coordinator, and the NY-NJ Trail Conference.
The Cumberland Trail This 303-mile trail in East Tennessee is being built by volunteers. It is a key part of the Western Appalachian Alternative, which is a network of long-distance hiking trails running parallel to the A.T.	The Florida Trail Offering 1,400 miles of hiking across subtropical habitats, the Florida Trail is an excellent destination for winter backpacking. This is the official home page of the Florida Trail Association.

Trail clubs, societies, etc.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy The umbrella organization for the entire Appalachian Trail, linked again here for convenience.	Alabama Hiking Trail Society Log onto this Web site for the latest news of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society.
Georgia Appalachian Trail Club The Georgia club's Web site, with maps of the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail.	Nantahala Hiking Club The Nantahala club maintains about 60 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Nantahala National Forest, N.C.
Smoky Mountains Hiking Club Members maintain the A.T. through Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carloina and Tennessee.	Carolina Mountain Club The CMC covers the stretch of the A.T. from Davenport Gap north to Spivey Gap, Tenn.
Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club The Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club maintains 127 miles on the Appalachian Trail.	Mount Rogers A.T. Club The group maintains from Damascus, Va., to Va. Route 670, just north of Trimpi shelter.
Piedmont A.T. Hikers Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers, or PATH, is based in North Carolina and maintains a stretch of trail in Virginia.	Virginia Tech Outing Club Club members in Blacksburg, Va., maintain about 30 miles from Garden Mountain to Lickskillet Hollow.
Roanoke A.T. Club This club oversees the A.T. from Lickskillet Hollow to Blackhorse Gap, about 131 miles.	Natural Bridge A.T. Club The group that maintains 88 miles of the A.T. around Peaks of Otter is now on the Internet.
Tidewater A.T. Club The Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club has jumped into Web waters with its own page.	Old Dominion A.T. Club This group maintains from Reeds Gap to Rockfish Gap in Virginia, a run of about 17 miles.
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club PATC’s home page is quite the audio-visual wonder. You can also read their newsletter.	Mountain Club of Maryland Members maintain the stretch from Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pa., to the Susquehanna River.
Keystone Trails Association The KTA in Pennsylvania is the umbrella organization that covers a number of different hiking clubs.	Cumberland Valley A.T. Club One of the newest clubs, this group oversees the Cumberland Valley and what is left of the old road walk. (Not online yet.)
Appalachian Mountain Club AMC maintains a wide variety of hiking trails through its various chapters, including in the Delaware Valley, the Whites, Mass., Conn. and Maine.	Susquehanna A.T. Club This club covers 9.2 miles from Pa. 225 to Clarks Valley, including Peters Mountain Shelter.
Batona Hiking Club This Philadelphia-based group maintains 8.6 miles from Fox Gap at Pa. 191 to Wind Gap, Pa.	Allentown Hiking Club From Tri-County Corner to Bake Oven Knob, this club maintains about 12 miles of trail.
Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club They do maintain a good chunk of trail from Rausch Creek to Lehigh Furnace in Pennsylvania.	Philadelphia Trail Club This group covers the ridgeline from Lehigh Furnace Gap to Little Gap, about 10.2 miles.
Delaware Valley Chapter, AMC Hiking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing and other activities of this active chapter.	York Hiking Club This club maintains a short stretch from Pa. Route 443 south to the Susquehanna River.
Wilmington Trail Club Members maintain the A.T. from Fox Gap to Delaware Water Gap, a distance of about 7 miles.	The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Now based in New Jersey, this club maintains the A.T. through two states, from the Delaware River to the Connecticut border.
AMC - Connecticut Chapter The Connecticut chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club, which goes from New York to Sages Ravine.	AMC - Berkshire Chapter The Western Massachusetts branch of the AMC maintains the A.T. through the Bay State.
Green Mountain Club Based in Vermont, the GMC maintains the fabled Long Trail, including the 100 or so miles that carry the A.T.	Dartmouth Outing Club This legendary group of students, alumni and area residents maintain unique shelters and privies along 76 miles of trail.
The Randolph Mountain Club This club promotes the enjoyment of the Randolph, N.H., area and is the newest addition to the ATC's trail maintaining clubs.	The Maine A.T. Club The club has posted its official home page, complete with photos, updates, and other news.

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Other travelin’ Web sites . . .

Backpacker Magazine Backpacker magazine’s destination-based planner with a weekend wilderness database and reviews of trails.	Warren Doyle Online The founder of ALDHA has posted a Web site with information on the programs he offers in hiking, education and dancing.
American Hiking Society American Hiking Society is a national non-profit group dedicated to promoting hiking and trails.	GORP home page Great Outdoor Recreational Pages, GORP, is one of the premier trailheads on the Internet.
Connecticut Explorer's Guide A comprehensive outdoor adventure resource featuring free online maps and guides.	Music for the A.T. Rick Sowash has a CD of music devoted to the Appalachian Trail’s scenic beauty.
Access Damascus Find out all about the “Friendliest Town on the A.T.,” including details on each year’s Appalachian Trail Days.	The Walking Connection A magazine and Web site geared to hikers and walkers, with information, tips, articles, etc.
	Kodak Magazine Hikes the Trail "Sneetch" hiked the A.T. with equipment from Kodak and posted her journal entries and color photos on this site.

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To see what you see . . .

Wildflowers of the Southern Appalachians This educational Web site lets you find out about all the plant life you’ve seen along the Appalachian Trail in the South. It includes color photographs to help with identification.

Southeast Regional Climate Center Are you a weather buff? Think you know a lot about clouds, lightning, rain and temperature? This site has everything you always wanted to know about weather but were afraid to ask.

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Trailhead
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