I am hoping to NOBO the AT starting in Jan. or Feb. 2006. All I have managed to hike related to the AT is the Approach Trail starting at Amicalola (I just moved to GA), not counting 63 miles of it in Boy Scouts in NC 20 years ago. I was wondering if there are signs visible from the AT indicating hostels are nearby, or if you have to be aware of them from trail guides, searching on the Internet in advance of your hike, etc.