How many shelters are on the appalachian trail

This picture is of the Windsor Furnace Shelter, a more primitive pit-stop, but still a welcome sight, especially in rainy weather. This shelter is located in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Treat the shelters, the grounds and other hikers with respect, as news travels fast along the trail so you want to preserve your good reputation.

For most hikers on the Appalachian Trail, camping is an integral part of the whole backpacking experience. Apart from packing appropriate and lightweight gear for your trek, as well as proper planning and research before you set out, there are several rules and guidelines to keep in mind when traveling on the AT.

Setting up a camp usually involves a campfire, for warmth, cooking, light and social interaction if traveling in a group. Also, make sure that you know beforehand where you can and cannot set up a campfire, as there are restrictions and prohibited areas in certain sections of the AT. Many areas only allow fires on designated sites and there are particular rules for the areas where you can set up a campfire.

After close to a century, not much has changed with the Blood Mountain Shelter. Blood Mountain has incredible views, but can get windy at night. So, taking advantage of the shelter is a good idea. Stover Creek Shelter also has bear bags and places to secure your food. The shelter here is your standard Appalachian Trail lean-to but features a picnic table, benches, a loft, and ample space for multiple hikers.

The main structure is a lean-to with large columns out front, and a windowed loft. Hikers have access to a privy, cell service, and can choose to make a reservation for those peak months. Simply dubbed the Fontana Dam Shelter, the structure is anything but simple.

You can enjoy access to drinking water, cell service, and a shower. Plus the view of the lake is pretty amazing. There is a nearby waterfall so you can enjoy ample drinkable water. The three-sided shelter was built in by the US Forest Service. It features native stone and a wooden sleeping platform.

The Mount LeConte Lodge has been in service to campers for almost a century. You can enjoy hot coffee, meals, and actual beds. The shelter is located close to a parking area. There is ample drinkable water from the creek and lovely views. The shelter faces the creek itself so you can enjoy the sounds of running water from your bunk.

The shelter also has access to water, and a privy. You can also enjoy extra room within the shelter because it features a loft. Shockeys Knob is a three-sided structure with an upper bunk, a fire pit, and a picnic table. You can also look out from the upper bunk thanks to windows on the front and rear of the structure. Barclay Run is a shelter along the Tuscarora. Your crumbs can attract all sorts of wildlife and be a major pain for the next hiker. Sweep up if you make a mess. And always, Leave No Trace.

Your expressions, drawings, carvings, names and phrases are not appreciated on the walls. Don't be a jerk. Some are historical landmarks nearly years old and have been, and continue to be, maintained by dedicated volunteers. Thru-hikers should plan to sleep in both the shelters and their own personal tents. Most try to sleep in the shelters as much as possible though. No Rain. Packing up while it is actually raining is even worse. Everything gets wet.

The shelter is a nice dry station to get ready in. You can stand up. That is a huge luxury. Your tent can be a tiny, claustrophobic space to change clothes and pack up in. If the weather is bad for a long period of time, your tent can turn into a miserable coffin.

People congregate by the shelters. It is where they sleep and hang out. Half of the fun on the AT is meeting good people. Inflexible Location. The structures are permanent.

Therefore, your hiking mileage revolves around their location. You are probably limited to two options - a shelter 5 miles away or one 15 miles away. Not ideal. You could also encounter nasty weather and need to set up pronto way before reaching the shelter. What if you cross over a beautiful mountain with a nice perch and want to camp out there? No Capacity. NOBO overcrowding is very common and can be a real problem.

The later half would need to sleep in their tents or hammocks. Since a lot of hiking gear is long lasting equipment it is often possible to find secondhand gear as a less expensive option. There are also hiker boxes along the way. Some shelters, outfitters, or hostels have a box where hikers can leave behind equipment that they have found they no longer need, sometimes including partially used fuel canisters.

Most gear expenses will be paid for before beginning your hike. Month to month- if you packed correctly - you should be spending relatively little on gear. These will be your most common expenses. They include your food and beverages, batteries, fuel, toiletries, permits, parking fees, etc. This is money spent on hostels and inns, restaurants, restaurant meals, laundry services, transportation etc. Check out this budgeting tool for an Appalachian thru-hike.

You may encounter black bears on the Appalachian Trail. They are not commonly seen, and they rarely confront people. Use bear boxes when available and bear canisters or bear bags when they are not. Practicing proper care with your food storage along the Trail will help keep both you and the bears safe. If you come across one while you are walking on the Trail remember to stay calm. Most bears and other creatures will hear or smell you and move off well before you arrive.

If you are hiking alone or are nervous about wildlife you may want to consider making an occasional deliberate noise. Talk or sing to yourself or carry a bell. Other large mammals on the Trail include deer, elk, and moose. While it is absolutely incredible to see any of these creatures in person you should be cautious when confronted with any animals.

Just because the teeth and claws are not as sharp does not make an animal less dangerous when provoked. Many hikers report sightings of timber rattlesnakes and copperheads along the Trail, especially in the New Jersey and New York. Aside from these, bobcats, chipmunks, river otters, beavers, squirrels, woodchucks, foxes, boars, racoons, porcupines and coyotes all call the Appalachian Trail home. Popular bird species along the AT include the ruffed grouse, raven, mourning dove, eagle, wild turkey, wood ducks, warbles, hawks, and owls.

You should have a healthy respect for all the wildlife you come across. Remember that while you are on the Trail you are passing through their homes. By being cautious you are protecting both yourself and the animals. The Appalachian Mountains are home to expansive forests with a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees.

There are miles of woodland dotted with sprawling acres of fir and spruce, sugar maple, buckeye, beech, birch, red oak, and white oak in the North. Southward, you will find vast forests of poplar, hickory, walnut, and sycamore. The western slopes of the Smokies have hemlocks, and chestnut oaks. On the Trail you will find a great variety of plant life including ferns, tulips, wildflowers, and berries.

The Trail is also home to a huge variety of interesting fungi. The Appalachian Trail is renowned for its distance. However, to those who are unfamiliar with the challenges and athleticism involved in backpacking, the Trail can be misunderstood as just a really long walk. Outsiders believe that the length constitutes the bulk of the difficulty and that there is not much danger. But that is not the whole truth.

Certain sections of the Trail present risky obstacles that even the most seasoned hikers find difficult. You need to be careful of dehydration and practice proper health and sanitation to avoid health problems while on the Trail.

While most people you encounter on the Trail are friendly, you should practice basic safety precautions. It is important to be aware of what you might face on the Trail for your safety and for the safety of others.

Hiking and Covid As a result of widespread vaccinations and A. They do recommend continuing to social distance and carrying a mask to wear when social distancing is not a viable option. They also suggest avoiding large groups of people, not sharing food, washing your hands frequently and using personal shelters over A. Many shelters and visitor centers have reopened, but not all of them.

Please continue to stay safe and be aware of the ongoing presence of COVID when returning to the trail! As with any activity a person undertakes there are some health risks associated with hiking the Trail.

You will be passing through areas that have high populations of ticks, mosquitoes, and black flies. It helps to have bug repellant and in your first aid kit consider having some kind of bite treatment.

Of these annoyances, ticks are the biggest worry. Ticks are present in all 14 states of the Appalachian Trail.

Ticks thrive in areas with an elevation below 2, to 2, feet. They are especially common in the months of May through July and in the states of Virginia and Vermont. Ticks live close to their host populations, which include mammals like rodents, and deer and sometimes even birds. It is unlikely you will contract rabies, but since you will be closer to wildlife than usual know that foxes, bats, raccoons, and other small animals can be carriers of rabies, a viral disease that results in inflammation of the brain in humans and other mammals.

Seek medical help immediately. To protect against rabies keep a healthy distance from wildlife - which you should attempt to do anyway - and in particular do not approach animals who are acting outside of the normal behavior patterns for that species. For example do not approach nocturnal creatures who are out during the day. HPS is a rare respiratory disease caused by a virus present in the urine, droppings, or saliva or rodents that are infected.

The disease can be fatal if left untreated. If the disease is untreated after 4 to 10 days, the symptoms can include the following:. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea.

Norovirus can be transmitted by contact with an infected person, contaminated surfaces, or by consuming contaminated food or water sources. If you are sensible and cautious you should be able to easily avoid most of the health hazards the Trail has to offer. Should you become sick seek medical attention at the nearest town. Looking rugged and getting dirty are part of the AT experience. That, however, does not excuse anyone from being unsanitary.

Everyone is expected to observe proper waste-handling practices to maintain the cleanliness of the Trail. The shelters distributed along the length of the AT have their own privies. If you need to go before you reach any of the shelters, the SOP is to dig a six-to-eight-inch-deep cathole where you can dispose of and bury your waste. These catholes must be feet, or about 80 paces, away from the Trail, shelter, or any water source.

Most hikers will only have the opportunity to shower when they pass through towns and stay in inns or hostels. If you feel like refreshing in the backcountry, you can use wipes or sponges. Wash yourself at least feet away from any water source to avoid contaminating drinking water. New shoes or hiking boots can cause blisters that, if not handled properly, can become infected.

Hot Springs is as cozy as it sounds. Rich in local history and teeming with natural charm, this beautiful town along the AT tempts some hikers to spend a day or two to explore its music, nature, and great food. Damascus hosts a celebration called Trail Days each year. This quaint little town in Virginia has that small-town feel to it that many hikers from big cities love.

Monson is a lakeside town with a great, friendly vibe. Lots of hikers love to spend a day at this lovely New Hampshire town. This New England hub just makes it hard to turn down a zero day. It must be the surrounding nature or the plentiful activities you can enjoy on a nice day in this majestic Kentucky town. Check out great food at Blue Raven. Be careful when stopping at Walhalla as you may decide to postpone your hike.

This lovely South Carolina town is blessed with the most amazing natural sites and waterscapes. If that does not charm you into staying, then the steak at the local Steak House will.

Hit the Esso Club for a fun time. Bramwell is just one of those places that will make you yearn for small town America. Situated beneath Pinnacle Rock State forest, this all-American town maintains its grace and charisma.

Stratton is a ski town, perfect for days spent learning a new sport or taking a side hike to the summit. Visit the popular swimming hole at Pike Falls, and perhaps embark on a paddling adventure at the Batten Kill River. Spring Creek Tavern and Inn is located right on the Trail, offering hikers, rafters, and tourists a quaint little place to enjoy a nice break with great food and excellent atmosphere. The tavern features outdoor seating overlooking Spring Creek. Overnight stay is available just above the tavern.

A small-town brewery with a big-city spirit, Damascus Brewery offers a great selection of beers that will quench the thirst and curiosity of passing tourists and thru-hikers. Of course, the fun time is never complete without great music. Help yourself to gracious amounts of food and award winning beers. The Doyle is legendary thanks to its friendly owners and fantastic, charming atmosphere. Housed in a former train depot, this charming inn in the White Mountains offers great accommodations with a full breakfast.

It features a restaurant, a brewery, four pubs, and a spa. As the name suggests, the Gypsy Joynt sports fantastic, hippie vibes, from its decorations to the music. The food is as tasty as the menu is varied.

The people are amazing, the beer is great, and the place, unforgettable. Vermont Trail Distance: miles kilometers Vermont is one of the easier parts of the Trail. North Carolina Trail Distance: Tennessee Trail Distance: 94 miles kilometers With elevation of up to 6, feet 2 kilometers , the Tennessee part of the Appalachian Trail will have you traversing incredibly high mountains.

New Jersey Trail Distance: 72 miles kilometers Despite being fairly close to civilization, New Jersey provides most hikers with the feeling of adequate off-gridness.

On the off chance you meet a fuzzy new friend you should know how to keep your cool and make sure you have equipment to keep your food safe at night West Virginia Trail Distance: 28 miles 45 kilometers Just like in Maryland, passing through West Virginia is a walk through history.

Pennsylvania Trail Distance: miles kilometers Ridges run through most of the Pennsylvania pathway of the Appalachian Trail, and they feature both rocky and flat arteries.

Maryland Trail Distance: 41 miles 66 kilometers Maryland is one of the most historical parts of the Appalachian Trail. Shelters Part of the development of the Appalachian Trail has been the setting up of shelters where hikers can rest during their journey. Directions: How to Get to the Appalachian Trail By Car There are plus access points or public crossings which enable flip-flop, section, or day hikers to get to specific parts of the Appalachian Trail.

Reserve your Amtrak tickets here. Greyhound bus lines Phone: Website: www. Other locations in the county by advanced arrangement. Mountain Lynx Transit Marion Website: www. Call in advance to arrange pickup; 24 hours in advance recommended. Smart Way commuter bus Phone: Website: www. Stop no. Monday—Friday only, no holiday service. Schuykill Transit System Website: www.

Train leaves from Grand Central Terminal on Sat. Pawling 3 miles east and Harlem Valley—Wingdale 3 miles west stations are served 7 days a week. Gaylordsville, CT Located 2. Times are flexible. You must call in advance during regular business hours for further info and to schedule rides.

Also connects to other bus lines to the North and South. Bus continues on to Syracuse, NY. The bus runs approximately every 2 hours between a. Concord Coach Lines Phone: Website: www.

Shuttle Connection Phone: , Email: info theshuttleconnection. Contact for schedule and cost. The Appalachian Trail Community There is a special sort of community that develops while on the Trail. You can choose your own trail name or ask another hiker to come up with one for you But the Trail community is wider than just those who are thru hiking it in a particular year. HikerFeeds HikerFeeds refers to organized efforts sponsored by individuals or groups to feed the often hungry and thirsty thru-hikers.

Trail Angels The term Trail Angels refers to individuals who directly give assistance to hikers during their journey. If you wish to do so, these tips will come in handy: First aid kits, food bars, and small packets of toiletries are always appreciated.

Support hiker-friendly businesses. Volunteer for a trail club. Help out with the trash and keeping shelters clean. Volunteer as ridge runner if you live nearby.