Vegas Voice 9-17 web

The Appalachian Trail
By: Kathy Manney / Around Our World
As the afternoon progressed and the sun fell
low enough to cast long arms of shadow
across the Appalachian National Scenic Trail,
generally known as the Appalachian Trail, we
watched a chipmunk pinball from rock, to log, to rock, disappearing
into the woods. The Appalachian Trail is a public footpath traversing
more than 2,000-miles of scenic, wooded, wild and socially significant
lands of the Appalachian Mountains - encompassing 14 states from
Georgia to Maine.
Crossing Maine and cutting through Canada with sections continuing
into Greenland is an unofficial trail known as the “International
Appalachian Trail.” The International Appalachian Trail runs
from Maine into New Brunswick and Quebec. It then branches into
parts of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and the western shore of
Newfoundland to the northern end of the Appalachian Mountain Range,
where it enters the Atlantic Ocean. The International Appalachian Trail
is a separate trail and not a true broadening of the Appalachian National
Scenic Trail. The International route even has extensions to Greenland,
Europe and Morocco.
The Appalachian Trail is nearly 100% protected by Federal or state
ownership of the land and managed by the National Park Service, US
Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies
and volunteers. Volunteers contribute nearly 200,000-hours annually
and are the backbone of the Appalachian Trail.
We traveled through extraordinary views and the occasional wildlife
sighting. At one point in the trail, a squirrel is spotted up ahead in the
crotch of a tree, and at dusk, deer venture from thickets. The Appalachian
Trail Conservancy tells us that the trail is the world’s longest hiking trail.
In places, the trail rises and falls along the plunging contours of the
hills.
The Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific
Coast Trail form what is known as the “Triple Crown of Hiking” in
the United States. To be sure, the Appalachian Trail is a wonderful
geographical imprint established upon the land; forever sanctioning as
a footpath for the people.
Kathy Manney enjoys visiting interesting places and being an
Adventure Diva. Her “Must See” travel journeys continue - always
with enthusiasm.
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