Trail Magic

[LHMJones]

We have provided Trail Magic every year and sometime twice each year along the AT in VA. Any suggestions on getting out the word on our location and dataes? We provide meals, snack, drinks, and moral support. Over these few years we have helped anywhere from 5 to 35 hikers over a weekend. Want to help as many as possible so date and location are important. Thinking the last weekend in June (25 and 26).

[Pony]

Magic should be unexpected. That's why it's magic. If you get the word out, then it's just a hiker feed.

[Toli]

REALLY Pony??? "Then its just a hiker feed"... That's harsh... Here's a little 411 for you... Magic is an illusion, umm that means it's fake... Umm, not real(Tryin' to dumb it down so you can understand it) What LHMJones does ROCKS!!! Just like Christmas, I know Santa did not bring those presents... On that specific day... Just for me... But I like 'em... Thanks LHMJones...

[C Seeker]

To make sure you get a good amount of people I would say look at the place you want to do the magic at. Here is a artical which map man published which I find really useful. I tells you the mean and medium hiking days per section. Looking at where you live I would say to get the most people would be around June 5-15. But that also does depend on weather to. Huge snow storm would hold people back a few days.

Hope this helps you out. Thank you for providing your magic.

[LHMJones]

Thanks for the input. Yes, that is why we are doing it at South River Hut near milepost 65 in SNP. Appreciate the reply,

[LHMJones]

Actually, the magic is in meeting the hikers and giving something back to the community of hikers and trail workers. Its magic!

[skooch]

So there is no summertime magic because "most" of the hikes have passed the southern states by then? My long distance hike is starting at Springer June 1st thru July and August due to wk commitments.

[Trail Dancer]

LHMJones is my dad...he came out in 07' while I was thru hiking to support the hikers! My husband and I thru hiked in 07' and my husband thru hiked also in 04'. I think that random acts of kindness can always be considered MAGIC! We are trying to spread the word so we see as many hikers as we can. We will be located just after SWIFT RUN GAP at SOUTH RIVER HUT on JUNE 25/26 in the SNP.

[skooch]

you guys sound awesome. thank you

[Tinker]

Magic should be unexpected. That's why it's magic. If you get the word out, then it's just a hiker feed.

LHMJones: "Want to help as many as possible".
I doubt that what anyone would call it makes any difference to the OP.
I'm sure that they are taking into consideration the possibility of non-hiking freeloaders showing up.
I just hope they can say "No".

[Blissful]

Thanks for the input. Yes, that is why we are doing it at South River Hut near milepost 65 in SNP. Appreciate the reply,

There is no "hiker" hut at South River in SNP, only a PATC work storage area. Also the last week of June is pretty late for helping hikers at this point. Most have already past

We will be at Smith Roach Gap parking (near Hightop Hut) on Friday of Memorial Day weekend for our annual hiker picnic if you all want to come out with us. My hubby and I host it, and we've had a few WBers come out in the past. We usually get 15 -20 hikers and most spend several hours with us.

Hey and Trail Dancer my son and I hiked in '07.

[Gray Blazer]

Ignore the naysayers and have fun (and save a piece of bread for Lone Wolf).

[weary]

Ignore the naysayers and have fun (and save a piece of bread for Lone Wolf).

A lot of people certainly seem to enjoy the trail vicariously by providing food and drinks to hikers. But charity to folks with the leisure to go hiking for six months has always struck me as a bit misplaced. Surely there are far more needy people given the state of the economy.

[Lone Wolf]

But charity to folks with the leisure to go hiking for six months has always struck me as a bit misplaced. Surely there are far more needy people given the state of the economy.

yeah i agree

[WingedMonkey]

A lot of people certainly seem to enjoy the trail vicariously by providing food and drinks to hikers. But charity to folks with the leisure to go hiking for six months has always struck me as a bit misplaced. Surely there are far more needy people given the state of the economy.

The only trail magic i remember is when someone leaves water jugs along the trail in an area that's springs are dry.

[Pedaling Fool]

The only trail magic i remember is when someone leaves water jugs along the trail in an area that's springs are dry.

I see your TH was in 1995, since then it's become a circus, especially in the south at the start of thru-hiker season. But also in other places, too much in my opinion.

[WingedMonkey]

I see your TH was in 1995, since then it's become a circus, especially in the south at the start of thru-hiker season. But also in other places, too much in my opinion.

I've been back. I've seen the hostels full to the rafters and the road crossings full of cars with hiker picnics and preachers. Kinda shocks the system when coming out of the solitude.

[brian039]

I enjoyed trail magic more when it was unexpected. I say go find the most random dirt road crossing you can find and set up there. It will mean more to hikers that way and you'll get a much better feeling knowing you truly made someone's day unexpectedly!

[max patch]

since then it's become a circus, especially in the south at the start of thru-hiker season.

I ran in zero pre-planned hiker feeds on my thru way back in the dark ages.

Couple years ago I did an 8 mile day hike from Woody Gap to Neels Gap. In that short stretch I came across 3 pre-planned hiker feeds. Fancy ones at Woody and Neels, and a smaller one at Jarrad Gap (group humped their stuff about a mile from Lake Winfield Scott).

Given those 2 alternatives which would like to experience on your hike?

[mikec]

As a section hiker, it made my day when I came across someone giving out food or drinks on the trail. I also have cooked hot dogs and given out drinks on the trail and have gotten appreciation by hikers as well as a sense of satisfaction myself. I say go for it.