Let’s talk about wildflowers. Wildflowers are the unsung heroes of the Appalachian Trail. They’re often overshadowed by the sweeping vistas, towering pines, and formidable rock formations, but they are equally important to your hiking experience. They’re small but mighty, brightening up even the gloomiest of...
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"It has been several decades since I first set foot on the Appalachian Trail. As I stepped forth from Springer Mountain, Georgia, on that early spring day, I was ready to revel in the grand scenery of the mountains, the far-off vistas, the roaring waterfalls,...
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The Women of the White Blaze are yawning as dusk falls around them, their tired bodies begging them to lie down for the night. But something more important than sleep beckons on this night. Their shuttle bus driver mentioned that they might get to see the...
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Waking up in the predawn and getting to watch as the sun lightens the sky and nature greets a new day. Sharing a warm, filling breakfast before setting out for a section of the Appalachian Trail full of new sights and experiences. Listening to the...
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The women sit in a living room chatting. Laughter bounces off the walls. Wine flows freely and snacks fill the table. If you were to close your eyes, you’d envision a cocktail party full of fancy ladies and juicy gossip. Only the juicy gossip here is...
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The three women awoke in a shelter on the Appalachian Trail, stretched their stiff hiking muscles, made coffee and oatmeal, and broke camp. They paused to check the weather forecast warning of thunderstorms and possible hail. Normally, weather like this would be alarming, but there...
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During the past couple of years, I have grown quite fond of traveling to Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). It isn’t the easiest place in the world to get to. You either have to drive to and then ferry from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, or fly...
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We are working hard to get Best Hikes of the Appalachian Trail: Mid-Atlantic out in time for the holidays! I just made some corrections to the manuscript last week and got a preview of the book cover, and now it's off to the printer. The book will have...
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How do you choose just a handful of day hikes to represent the best the Appalachian Trail has to offer? We spoke with veteran outdoors author Johnny Molloy about his new guidebook, Best of the Appalachian Trail: South, which comes out in March. First of all,...
Read MoreI returned to the Appalachian Trail this summer for the first time since stepping off in November 2014, after completing my final research hike. The summer of 2014—well, actually, the late spring, summer, and early fall of 2014—was packed with hikes along the Appalachian Trail in...
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