View Full Version : Old AT Markers
I read somewhere that there are some of the old AT trail markers, similar to the plaque on Springer, still standing. Does anybody know if this is true, and if so where they might be, i.e. on the trail, at road crossings, etc? I can't find anything when I search on it.:-?
Appalachian Tater
10-23-2007, 09:27
http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&q=appalachian+trail+plaque&btnG=Search+Images
http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&q=appalachian+trail+marker&btnG=Search+Images
https://www.atctrailstore.org/catalog/iteminfo.cfm?itemid=143&compid=1
What exactly are you talking about? The diamond trail markers in the last link?
I heard that the plaque that is on Springer is also posted in other places along the trail, maybe at road crossings. Not new ones, but original from the same era as the Springer plaque. Not ones you can buy, but just the original plaque that was intended to be used as the trail marking, but was not ever completed (for some reason). Thanks for the links.
Appalachian Tater
10-23-2007, 09:41
Yes, there are similar plaques at other places in addition to the termini. They were not meant to be the means of actually blazing the trail, that was the diamond markers which were used as the white rectangular blazes are now. There were also other trail markers at various times and places.
max patch
10-23-2007, 09:53
I read somewhere that there are some of the old AT trail markers, similar to the plaque on Springer, still standing. Does anybody know if this is true, and if so where they might be, i.e. on the trail, at road crossings, etc? I can't find anything when I search on it.:-?
Neels Gap
Unicoi Gap
thanks A. Tater - I didn't know the IAT plaque was a woman hiker facing the opposite direction of the man on the Springer AT plague - someone has an interesting sense of design
Appalachian Tater
10-23-2007, 12:00
thanks A. Tater - I didn't know the IAT plaque was a woman hiker facing the opposite direction of the man on the Springer AT plague - someone has an interesting sense of design
Don't thank me, thank Google! I like the original plaques better but the new one both relates to the old one and appropriately reflects the current reality.
Hikerhead
10-23-2007, 13:00
I found this on the BMT between Slick Rock and Deals Gap. It was on a tree that was laying on the ground. I think it might have been an old AT Marker but I'm not positive.
Hikerhead
10-23-2007, 13:05
I found this on the BMT between Slick Rock and Deals Gap. It was on a tree that was laying on the ground. I think it might have been an old AT Marker but I'm not positive.
Here it is. I scew up everything I do lately.
yep - that's an old marker for probably for the AT - I see them around SNP fairly often - typically half grown into a black locust
Lone Wolf
10-23-2007, 13:11
Here it is. I scew up everything I do lately.
i have a brand new one of those made of galvanized steel given to me back in 86 by Jean Cashin of the ATC. i told her i would get one off a tree if she didn't give me one :)
Hikerhead
10-23-2007, 13:12
Cool!! Thanks for the positive ID HOI.
earlyriser26
10-23-2007, 13:14
When started hiking on the A.T. in the 60's and 70's the old metal diamond markers were fairly common. I have one somewhere. Time and hikers have taken most of the rest. Last time I was in Maine I recall seeing one, but it was all but rust (not worthy of a souvenir which likely saved it).
Hikerhead
10-23-2007, 13:14
i have a brand new one of those made of galvanized steel given to me back in 86 by Jean Cashin of the ATC. i told her i would get one off a tree if she didn't give me one :)
Trade trade trade? 3 times to make it work.
Hikerhead - just buy one from the ATC - they still make replicas of the old markers : https://www.atctrailstore.org/catalog/iteminfo.cfm?itemid=143&compid=1
Lone Wolf
10-23-2007, 13:23
Hikerhead - just buy one from the ATC - they still make replicas of the old markers : https://www.atctrailstore.org/catalog/iteminfo.cfm?itemid=143&compid=1
yeah but they're made of aluminum and the lettering is different
I found this on the BMT between Slick Rock and Deals Gap. It was on a tree that was laying on the ground. I think it might have been an old AT Marker but I'm not positive.
While trying (pretty much unsuccesfully) to trace out the old route from Amicalola Falls SP to the original southern terminus on Mt. Oglethorpe I ran across one. I couldn't get it since it was also grown into a tree. Surprisingly it was still in pretty good shape....what was still visible.
yeah but they're made of aluminum and the lettering is different
oh well trust ATC to screw with tradition
Flush2wice
10-23-2007, 15:08
While trying (pretty much unsuccesfully) to trace out the old route from Amicalola Falls SP to the original southern terminus on Mt. Oglethorpe I ran across one. I couldn't get it since it was also grown into a tree. Surprisingly it was still in pretty good shape....what was still visible.
Next time take your chainsaw.
TJ aka Teej
10-23-2007, 18:09
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=1058&catid=member&imageuser=314
I know of a few dozen between Gorham and Katahdin.
Hikerhead
10-23-2007, 18:29
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=1058&catid=member&imageuser=314
I know of a few dozen between Gorham and Katahdin.
I wish mine looked half as good as that.
shelterbuilder
10-23-2007, 20:17
Pa. still has a few - and I have one of the original ones that was given to me by an old club member "so that I wouldn't be tempted to steal one off the trail".:D (Yes, it's galvanized.)
I recall seeing on in the Bigelows somewhere, and there are a few in the 100 mile wilderness, as well as near the summit of old speck.
Kirby
Cosmo Rules
10-23-2007, 23:31
I saw one at Hessian Lake, Bear Mountain.