RedFlagMagazine

Location: Summit of Mt. Yonah, Cleveland, Georgia U.S.A

Name: Michael Sherman

The Appalachian Trail, or A.T, is a stretch of 2,200 miles of marked trails that begins at Springer Mountain in Georgia and ends at Mount Katahdin in Maine. The trail passes through 14 US states along the Eastern seaboard and is a refuge to some of the last wilderness still remaining in the Eastern half of the United States. A wide variety of flora and fauna such as the American black bear are able to thrive due to the protection of the forest lands surrounding the mountains.

Hikers and nature lovers travel from all over the world each year to hike the Appalachian trail. Hiking the entire trail, or “thru-hiking” has become a rites of passage for hiking enthusiasts. The lure of the Appalachian trail speaks of the history of the founding of the United States of America – it is where much of America’s folklore and folk culture was born and still remains one of its most important national treasures.

At the summit of Mt. Yonah – the Cherokee word for “bear” – the Appalachian Trail can be seen snaking its way north – blue and majestic in the afternoon sun. By hiking these trails a relationship is formed with the land that can’t be known from books or web pages. Once the Georgia clay gets under your skin and in your eyes it passes through your heart and reminds you to protect it.