AT Factoids...

[postholer.com]

Here are some interesting AT factoids I've gathered recently...

the AT crosses 893 unique drainages, 1764 different crossings, of which 363 are named
the AT comes within 300 feet of 216 lakes/ponds of which 71 are named
the AT comes within 300 feet of 34 springs of which 5 are named

top 10 largest lakes within 300 feet of the AT:
Flagstaff Lake
Pemadumcook Lake
Fontana Lake
Watauga Lake
Moxie Pond
Jo-Mary Lake
Rainbow Lake
Pierce Pond
Bald Mountain Pond
Nahmakanta Lake

the AT crosses:
16 interstates
44 US Highways
150 State highways
44 county roads
1104 other roads

Elevation numbers:
268 miles or 12.3% is between 0-1000 feet
682 miles or 31.3% is between 1000-2000 feet
487 miles or 22.3% is between 2000-3000 feet
474 miles or 21.7% is between 3000-4000 feet
190 miles or 8.7% is between 4000-5000 feet
67 miles or 3.1% is between 5000-6000 feet
9 miles or 0.4% is between 6000-7000 feet

sources: NHD, Tiger2013, USGS

-postholer

[jimmyjam]

cool thanks for sharing

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

[10-K]

Two thirds of the trail is under 3000'...

[mudsocks]

Are those lakes listed in order of size largest to smallest? At a glance I recognize 7 of those as bodies of water in Maine. Are some same-name lakes in other states? I recognize 3 bodies of water as man made. Is that correct?

[Bronk]

I'm curious what source you used for your information...I would think 34 springs is very low...you see them just about every day in the south.

[10-K]

I'm curious what source you used for your information...I would think 34 springs is very low...you see them just about every day in the south.

I just says that it comes within 300' of 34 springs. It doesn't say that is the total...

Like saying I passed 10 cars during rush hour. Well....... maybe I passed 25,000 - but I also passed 10.

[postholer.com]

Are those lakes listed in order of size largest to smallest? At a glance I recognize 7 of those as bodies of water in Maine. Are some same-name lakes in other states? I recognize 3 bodies of water as man made. Is that correct?

Largest area to smallest area, any body of water sans rivers.

Data source is NHD.

[JumpMaster Blaster]

I think what's fascinating is that only 76 miles of trail is above 5000 feet. Huh.

[10-K]

I think what's fascinating is that only 76 miles of trail is above 5000 feet. Huh.

About half of that would be in GSMNP.

[Odd Man Out]

An AT Thru Hike has about the same mileage and also the same elevation gain/loss as 49 rim to rim to rim hikes of the Grand Canyon (down S. Kaibab and up Bright Angel).

[joshuasdad]

About half of that would be in GSMNP.

See http://tnlandforms.us/at/gsmnpat.html for a good Smokies profile. From Mile 16 to Mile 62 the trail drops below 5000 ft only 4 miles in total.

Thanks for the stats! I love this stuff.

[Another Kevin]

About half of that would be in GSMNP.

And another third or so is the Presidential Traverse.

[Kerosene]

Those Maine lakes are absolutely beautiful. Pierce Pond was my favorite, but only because it was a warm Fall afternoon and I ate my dinner on a rock in the late afternoon sun while soaking my feet. Flagstaff Lake is simply gorgeous from on high on a sunny day.

[rafe]

Pierce Pond shelter is one of the best shelter sites on the AT, what with the great view and proximity to the pond.

Flagstaff Lake is gorgeous to look at, but not so gorgeous when you consider that it's an artificial lake. (Maybe ditto for Watauga Lake?)

All the Maine lakes were wonderful to look at. Best swimming I had on the AT was at Little Rock Pond in VT.