are there any field guides specifically for the AT? i have been doing a lot of dayhikes and weekend trips (on and around the AT in NC)(thruhiking 2005) and am amazed at the beauty and variety of the plants and flowers. i just wish i knew what they were! any good suggestions?
greenie
As an amateur wildlife photographer, I use the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Wildflowers (Eastern). It’s heavy and not AT specific but has excellent descriptions and great color plates for identification.
leeki pole
also not sure (but doubt) about AT-specific field guides, but I have found the Peterson guide much better than the Audubon guide. Photos seem great at first, but really the line drawings are much better for more accurate ID, believe it or not. I have two degrees in plant science, and this is my opinion, for what it’s worth.
Margaret
Check out Leonard Adkins ‘The Appalachian Trail: A Visitor’s Companion.’ Nice history of the trail, along with drawings and descriptions of animals, flowers and trees. He has another book just devoted to wildflowers of the AT.
Joel