Hey all you thru-hikers…What is the single most beautiful thing you saw on the trail? Was it a portrait of nature, a personal challenge overcome, a sense brother/sisterhood? What would say, if you had to name just one thing, that epitomizes the beauty of the trail?
grapejelly
First of all I’d like to say that I couldn’t get just one thing to pop into my head when I read this question. If I were to use my grade school eduction to figure it out I could draw circles around the three things you mentioned, nature, challanges, peoplehood and there would be a spot where all three overlapped. That hard to describe area where the sublime beauty of the trail, the sense of accomplishment when you meet a challange and the warmth of making new friends meets would be my most beautiful thing.
But if were to just pick a single image that came to mind I’ll say the Roan Highlands. I’d never seen grass covered summits (except Moosilauke) and was always inspired by them especially Little & big Hump Mountains.
celt
Max Patch in North carolina. Never saw or felt like that any other time on my hike. I saw lots of great stuff in Maine/new hampshire, but it was a special feeling camping on a bald 4000 ft summit watching the sun go down around you, having your trailbuds right next to you, then waking up and seeing the sun rise for a beautiful day. Pulled my first 20 miler into Hot Springs later that day and can say that was one of the best feelings in the world. I think i officially knew i was a thru-hiker at that point.
A-Train
A-Train
I think it was the Sidetrack Cafe in Damascus, VA. Probably during Trail Days in '02.
Papa Smurf
IMO the “best” 50 miles on the A.T. is (northbound) Damascus to Dickey Gap, tho after the first time I’ve always done it southbound. That stretch exemplifies all that’s good about the A.T.–a diversity of forest environments, almost all of it stunningly beautiful; human and natural history galore; great trail maintenance; and great people with a connection to the A.T. at both ends and even in places along the way like Taylors Valley.
I think I’ve hiked that 50 miles eight times now, plus put together loops encompassing all of the other trails in the area…often in conjunction with going to or coming from Trail Days.
“Skyline”
One of my best memories was when Hammock Hanger let me join her on her 100 mile finishing up hike between Pearisburg and Roanoke, Va. This was my first multi-day hike I remind you. The second day I pulled a 16 hour hike, not a lot of miles but a long day ending at Pine Swamp Shelter. The next day after 6 restless hours sleeping on a pile of rocks in my hammock (I know that sounds strange) I jumped up to get a start on HH. She soon passed me by. When I reached Bailey Gap shelter it was time to put a fork in me…I was done. HH left a note there that she’d been waiting for something like 2 hours and went on to the War Spur Shelter. So here it was, around noon, cold as heck, I’m all by myself, the woods are quite except for the wind and I was prepairing to spend my first night in a shelter, when I here this huge roar from a jet getting louder and louder. Then it appeared flying about 200 ft above the ridge line only about a half mile in front of the shelter. If that wasn’t enough, he did a barrel roll. No lie!!! and knowing they always fly in pairs, his buddy soon arrived and did the same thing. They had me hooting and hollering out there like a crazy person. So that was really one of the worst, and best, days I ever had hiking. And I finally caught up to HH but that’s another story.
Buster
No lie.
I wouldn’t trade one day on the trail for a month in my cube.
A bad day on the trail is better than…
Scamp
Scamp
Thanks guys! I really am enjoying reading about your adventures and thoughts on this beautiful piece of earth. Keep them coming! It’s such a great way to cheer up after being stuck at work and inside all day!:girl
grapejelly