Flagg Mountain, near Sylacauga, Alabama, is the southernmost Appalachian peak. Breaking News: The 762 acres of land between Flagg Mountain and the beginning of the Pinhoti Trail, which already connects to the AT, has just been purchased by the Conservation Fund.
With all due respect to Georgia's Springer Mountain, folks who want to hike all of the Appalachians need ship their packs south to Alabama. Once the particulars are complete, you would begin hiking in rugged, old growth forest along Weogufka Creek before entering the wooded mountains of the Talladega National Forest. Completing the Pinhoti Trail on the front end adds about 300 miles to the AT.
Realizing the economic boon that comes with a state having the southern terminus of the AT and the lobbying that would inevitably take place to preserve it, would the ATC expand the trail yet again?
So the informal poll question is:
*Do you value the tradition of starting at Springer and wish to preserve it?
*Or would you rather see the Appalachian Trail get longer by laying claim to all of the Appalachian Mountains?