Western Appalachian Alternative

[MOWGLI]

Plans are in the works for a long distance alternative to the Appalachian Trail. This planned trail system is currently known as the Western Appalachian Alternative, which currently includes the Alabama & Georgia Pinhoti Trails, the Cumberland Trail, and the Pine Mountain Trail (located in Kentucky).

A meeting will be taking place later this spring to discuss where this trail system will go at the northern terminus of the Pine Mountain Trail. This meeting will include representatives from the above listed organizations, as well as the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC), the National Park Service and the American Hiking Society.

If you find this kind of news interesting, or perhaps even exciting, you might be interested in subscribing to the monthly E-Newsletter of the Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition (SEFTC). This coalition currently includes (27) hiking organizations from throughout the Southeast. The next edition off the E-Newsletter will be published in late February.

To subscribe to this free and informative monthly E-Newsletter, please visit the following link;

http://www.americanhiking.org/alliance/newsletter.html

Happy Trails!


Jeffrey Hunter

[Noggin]

A meeting will be taking place later this spring to discuss where this trail system will go at the northern terminus of the Pine Mountain Trail.

How about West Virginia? I've always been disappointed that the AT doesn't go through some of the most rugged and scenic territory in the Appalachian Mountains. (The few miles into and out of Harper's Ferry doesn't count, of course.)

[Youngblood]

Jeff, did you leave out the Benton MacKaye Trail?

Youngblood

[Skyline]

Would the Allegheny Trail, hooking up somehow with the Tuscarora Trail (or maybe the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail) be worthy of consideration?

[MOWGLI]

How about West Virginia? I've always been disappointed that the AT doesn't go through some of the most rugged and scenic territory in the Appalachian Mountains. (The few miles into and out of Harper's Ferry doesn't count, of course.)

It remains to be seen where exactly the trail will go at the north end of the Pine Mountain Trail. It may indeed go through West Virginia into PA. I'll post more info here as it becomes available.

[MOWGLI]

Jeff, did you leave out the Benton MacKaye Trail?

Youngblood

Youngblood, you know, you bring up a really good point. The idea is to link the Georgia Pinhoti Trail to the Cumberland Trail, so in general, I was thinking folks would start at the south end of the AL Pinhoti Trail, and make their way to the Cumberland Trail (via GA Pinhoti), and continue north. There is no reason a hiker couldn't start at Springer, take the BMT to the GA Pinhoti, to the Cumberland Trail, and then continue north to the Pine Mountain Trail and beyond.

The bottom line is, that this system will offer hikers all kinds of options. Of course, it has to be built first. A subscription to the E-Newsletter will keep folks informed about the various needs of the trail groups involved in this effort.

[MOWGLI]

Would the Allegheny Trail, hooking up somehow with the Tuscarora Trail (or maybe the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail) be worthy of consideration?


Skyline, the PATC is involved for that reason. The Tuscarora Trail is a possibility. It all remains to be determined however. Thanks for the ideas and your interest.

[bunbun]

Skyline, the PATC is involved for that reason. The Tuscarora Trail is a possibility. It all remains to be determined however. Thanks for the ideas and your interest.

Mowgli -
There are folks who are building new trail to connect the PA Mid State Trail to the Finger Lakes Trail on the north end. The Mid State already connects to the C&O Canal via Green Ridge State Forest trails in MD at the south end. From the Canal you can connect (with a bit of walking) to the AT, the Allegheny Trail, the Tuscarora ---- the possibilities are endless. But - one step at a time.