I just completed 10 wonderful days wandering the upper Kern / Tyndall Creek area of the Southern Sierra without a plan or an agenda. After returning, I realized that during that entire period - from the Shepherd Pass Trailhead on - I did not come across a single piece of trash, food wrappers or other junk. Nothing ! Not being very familiar with the AT, it made me curious - in general, how “trashed” is the AT?
Booger
The AT is one of the more heavier used trails but with the exception of road crossings and shelter areas located too close to roads I do recall seeing much garbage. You do however see areas around camping areas where all low branches are gone and many heard paths ging off to the woods. I also recall seeing on a fairly regular basis a pile of unburied poop and paper close to the trail. But considering the traffic it gets I’m amazed at how well cared for it is. Its a testament to the hard work of the trail crews and considerate hikers.
Big B
Usually if I find any trash on the AT it’s things like small pieces of pop-tart foil wrappers on the ground near campsites, but amazingly I don’t see much more than that. I pick it up when I see it. If everybody did that it would be great (maybe they do?).
But there are some places that have “historic” trash (ha ha) from days gone by that is actually interesting. For example, I know of one trail that has the rusted remains of a old Model A Ford next to it. Hundreds pass by every year and it’s still there unvandalized (sorry but you’ll have to find it yourself). I’ve also found the wreckage of a few moonshine stills, usually along creeks (lots of twisted metal and broken mason jars). Funny how the people are long dead and gone, but their stuff’s still here…
RockyTrail
I ran/fastpacked JMT did a Yo YO was on the trail 12 days and I saw no trash… I found a small pan and a carabiener a couple water bottles and a shirt…
I lost a pink bandana and green one…
Cheers,
Catra
catra
the ford truck is about a 1/4 mile sobo of the newport VA resupply area…hehehe today it is actually habitat for birds of the field and such. pic on my journal pics
burn
Hey Burn that one (in your journal) is in good shape! Looks like a 48,49, or 50 model Ford truck. The one I saw was a Model A sedan, almost fully decomposed.
RockyTrail
it aint trashed. trash has a very, very short lifespan on the AT. represent and pick any up that you see. hopefuly, and even possibly, you wont see any. we are proud of it and keep it clean for you.
ridgerunner milo
But I wouldn’t want to live there. Kind of like a truck stop smell at shelters,with campfire smoke or lots of bugs bitting and complaining people. Or trying to get a signal from the tower right there for hours. Or a word fight over Ray Jardine. Or even beggin with a Snow Peak cup for food.
In a sentence, If you like city life, you will Love the A-T and make lots of friends in compared to your trip.
IT obvious why your called booger, and my wake up call. I.m finding alot of my trails, thanks to guys like you. The A-T is less than a 100 miles from every Big East Coast City, Everyone want a house or two on the mountainside[ the A.T corridor].Like rich Chinese businessmen from the city want and my backyard to. Sure I’m just as bad but I don’t have the pride they carry or ego’s. So you really never really get away from anything anyway, just a little less of it. Your still basicly still in the city life of "NEEDFULL THINGS"the movie.There is very little land left on the east coast that isn’t fully developed. See it like they build more houses so they can make more money to buy more homes. And don’t ask me where they all came from either.
Point is: I think the population explosion on the east has doubled since 84, so some feel it not nessesary to be nice anymore in fear of shelter room or favoritism anyway and will play dirty tricks as old as time. So if you like city life,.
MY eyes are satified with what they see. And my ears what they hear. me say:)
Greg