Appalachian National Scenic Trail

How far are you willing to go out of your way for a meal? For Appalachian National Scenic Trail thru-hikers, that question could take on more relevance if the U.S. Postal Service closes down some of its smaller operations in a cost-saving move.

A proposal to charge for overnight stays in the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, if enacted, would create the first area along the 2,180-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail where thru-hikers would have to pay to lay down for the night.

It took a 60-mile day right near the end, but Jennifer Pharr Davis has succeeded in setting the speed record for a thru-hike of the 2,180-mile-long Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

If you've got a strong background running nonprofit organizations, and enjoy getting outdoors and hiking from time to time, this might be the perfect job opportunity for you. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is looking for an executive director/chief executive officer.

Every two years, Appalachian Trail hikers, enthusiasts, supporters, and conservationists get together at an Appalachian Trail Conservancy Conference. There are hikes, workshops, excursions, and the A.T. culture.

Birders are a strange bunch of critters. I can say that because I’m one of them. We tend to carry around enough optical equipment to make the guys that were hunting Osama bin Laden jealous. We think eating breakfast at 3 a.m. in the summer is perfectly normal. We tend to travel…a lot

The Appalachian Trail in southwest Virginia is a spectacular section, with open meadows and feral ponies. Meeting thru-hikers is a bonus.

With spring still on its way to the Rockies and High Sierra, and summer well under way in some parts of the country, this seems a perfect time to honor all 2010 Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, consider ways to support national parks, and look at ways to enjoy the parks.

Jennifer Pharr Davis, who owns the women's record for speed-hiking the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, has set her sights on besting the men's record this summer.

Summer brings a wealth of flowers to those parks that have enjoyed spring flowers like Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It also brings flowers to Rocky Mountain National Park and the parks in Alaska where the snow is just melting.

Would you ever head off down a trail for a multi-week, or longer, hike, carrying all you need in a pack on your back?

The Great Garlic Mustard Gathering challenges volunteers to remove and use invasive plants from the Appalachian Trail. And how can we use Chinese silvergrass, multiflora rose and other invasives?

What's a great way to stay on top of your favorite national park -- aside from reading the Traveler? Join its friends group, foundation, or natural history association.

Every two years, Appalachian Trail hikers, enthusiasts, supporters, and conservationists get together at an Appalachian Trail Festival and Biennial Meeting. What actually happens at an A.T. Festival and who attends?

Who do you think merits inclusion in a hall of fame rising up to honor those with ties to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail?

There were quite a few books relating to national parks that arrived in 2010, and while we didn't get to read them all, the ones we did we liked. Here's a look back at our Fireside Reads from the year.

For some, hiking can be addicting. For Jennifer Pharr Davis, it became both an avocation and her vocation.

Note to all you mile-conscious Appalachian Trail thru-hikers: Your trail data book is out-of-date. Latest measurements show the foot path is now 2,180 miles on the dot, up nearly 2 miles from 2009's length.

Should controversy surround the decision by the Appalachian Mountain Club to pursue sustainable logging in northern Maine? A group pushing to see the area designated as a national park is furious over the club's move.

As National Park Service officials settle down to draft an Environmental Impact Statement on a proposal for a larger transmission line corridor across Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, they'll take with them a large number of public comments expressing support for, and opposition to, the idea.

Fall is a spectacular season to hike in Shenandoah National Park. Reds, golds, greens and browns are dappling the hillsides, deer are on the move, and, if your timing is excellent, bears are falling from the trees and Mennonite women are backpacking along the Appalachian Trail.

What are the best adventures in the National Park System in the Lower 48? For sure, three weeks floating the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park has to be one, and climbing the Grand Teton in its namesake park is another. But then what?

Another week has been added to collect public comment on a study into a proposal to substantially upgrade a transmission power corridor that crosses the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River.

In a move to counter whispers, National Park Service officials have issued a statement that they have not developed a predetermined position on a power transmission line a company wants to run through Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River.

A blind hiker who set off last month to go end-to-end on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail has had to reorganize his trek due to heavy snows and ice in the Smokies of North Carolina. Meanwhile, another visually impaired hiker is set on conquering the Pacific Crest Trail.

A concerted effort in Maine to draw the line on national park visitors arming themselves has fallen short of the original goal. But the measure Gov. John Baldacci signed this week will at least outlaw open carry in Acadia National Park.

The focus of many long-distance hikers' dreams, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail can be a life-long end-to-end goal ... or a weekend outing. It knits together both a slice of Americana, and a society of folks who set off in search of adventure.

My husband, Lenny, and I have been maintaining a section of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail for more than 20 years, first in New York State and now on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. For the last eight years, we’ve been the proud adopted parents of 4.9 miles from Devils Fork Gap to Rice Gap located north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and south of Hot Springs, North Carolina.