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October 3, 2023
The National Trails System Act
Favorite Trails
McAfee Knob (one of the most photographed spots on the A.T.)
Google Doodle celebrated the Appalachian Trail on October 2, 2023 to recognize the National Trails System Act, which became law on October 2, 1968. The A.T. was first proposed in 1921 by Benton MacKaye, who wrote his original plan called "Appalachian Trail, A Project in Regional Planning", shortly after the death of his wife. The trail was completed in 1937. The trail extends 2,200 miles between Springer Mountain (Georgia) and Mount Katahdin (Maine), passing through 14 states.
According to the Google Doodle, there are 3 million people visit the trail annually, and 3,000 people attemp to complete it end to end! One tradition that I didn't know is to eat half a gallon of ice cream at the trail's midpoint (the Pine Grove Furnace General Store at Gardners, PA). (Read more about the Half Gallon Ice Cream Challenge here.)
The trail is home to thousands of plants and animals, including 2,000 rare and endangered species. That's amazing.
To celebrate the National Trails System Act, please list your favorite trails and your stories. You can post an image (or images) as well.
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