"The Appalachian Trail stretches more than 2,100 miles through 14 states from Maine's mighty Katahdin to Georgia's forested Springer Mountain. Along its route, the A.T. crosses eight national forests, six units of the national park system, about 60 state park or game lands, and scores of small mountain and valley communities. Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population lives within a day's drive of this continuously marked footpath." (From ATC page)
On the Appalachian Trail at Lone Mountain.
I've hiked several big chunks of this grand footpath, including all of Vermont, most of New Hampshire, and a good part of Maine. Someday I hope to do the whole thing in one long summer. Many of the long-distance thru-hikers call it the Green Tunnel, and it must be quite beautiful! I've met dozens of long-distance hikers, and I always try to turn them on to cold brews, homemade snacks, and other goodies! You can often time where and when the groups are coming through, and if you can get up to Baxter State Park in the fall, you are sure to meet some very cool folks near the end of a long and special journey.
It's About the Journey
One thing I've learned over the years is that I'm probably a little different than a lot of people. I don't really have a bucket list. So many people I know paddle a river, hike a trail, or visit a famous place simply because they want to check it off a list, even if they don't enjoy it all that much. Sometimes they'll rush through two or three national parks in a single trip, spending only a few hours at each one just so they can say they've been there.
I've never really understood that.
Take the people who try to visit the highest point in every state. Some of those high points are spectacular mountains that are adventures in themselves. Others are little more than a flat field in the middle of Florida or Rhode Island. People will spend days driving there just so they can say they've checked another state off the list, even though the destination itself isn't especially memorable.
I saw the same thing in New England with some of the peak baggers. They'd race up the trail as fast as they could, eyes fixed on the ground or their watches, reach the summit, tap the cairn, push a button on their watch, and immediately race back down. Meanwhile, they'd never even look around, never really stopping to appreciate the views or enjoy being on top of the mountain.
The same thing happens on the long-distance trails. Some hikers try to complete the Appalachian Trail as quickly as possible to set a speed record. Others have hiked all three of America's great long-distance trails in a single year. I admire the athletic accomplishment, but I sometimes wonder how much of the journey they actually had time to experience.
For me, life has never been about racing through experiences so I can say I've done them. It's never been about finishing a checklist.
It's about enjoying the journey.
I certainly understand that everyone is different, and everyone has their own goals and motivations. There isn't a right or wrong way to experience the outdoors. But somewhere along the way—and especially after deciding not to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail—I realized what really mattered to me.
I'd rather spend three unforgettable days exploring one incredible place than rush through ten places just to say I'd been there.
That simple realization probably shaped the rest of my life. Instead of chasing accomplishments, I spent decades chasing experiences, friendships, wilderness, and adventure. Looking back now, I wouldn't change a thing.
There has been talk of extending the trail south to the farthest reaches of Florida, and North into Canada. There are many other long-distance foottrails in America, including the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. There are dozens more that currently exist, or in the planning stages. In addition, the Rails-to-Trails program is actively converting many of the nation's abandoned railroad lines into multi-use paths. Happy trails!
