96-520: Millinocket is a town in Penobscot County, Maine , United States. The population was 4,114 at the 2020 census . Millinocket's economy has historically been centered on forest products and recreation, but the paper company closed in 2008. Millinocket was first settled in 1829 by Betsy and Thomas Fowler and their family, who cleared land for a farm near Shad Pond. Other families followed in 1837. In 1846, Henry David Thoreau hired members of
192-461: A campsite. Hikers also create their own community while on the trail. Many hikers create long lasting friendships while on the trail. Conversations are easily started because of the common interest of hiking . The Appalachian Trail is relatively safe. Most injuries or incidents are consistent with comparable outdoor activities. Most hazards are related to weather conditions, human error, plants, animals, diseases, and hostile humans encountered along
288-424: A great deal of attention to the project by publicizing the first claimed thru-hike. The claim was later criticized for the hike's omission of significant portions due to shortcuts and car rides. Shaffer later claimed the first north-to-south thru-hike, the first to claim to do so in each direction. Chester Dziengielewski was later named the first southbound thru-hiker. In 1998, Shaffer, nearly 80 years old, hiked
384-695: A hiker visiting from England was killed on the trail by falling while taking photos at the Annapolis Rocks overlook in Maryland. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic prompted the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to discourage use of the trail and the National Park Service to close all AT-managed hiking shelters from Virginia to Maine. The withdrawal of volunteers and trail-maintenance crews left the trail unprepared for
480-758: A hiker was killed on the trail in Maryland when a large tree blew over and fell onto him. Violent crime is rare but has occurred in a few instances. The first reported homicide on the trail was in 1974 in Georgia. In 1981, the issue of violence on the Appalachian Trail received national attention when Robert Mountford, Jr. and Laura Susan Ramsay, both social workers in Ellsworth, Maine , were murdered by Randall Lee Smith . Another homicide occurred in May 1996, when two women were abducted, bound and murdered near
576-702: A large pulp and paper mill. Mullen contacted Garret Schenck, vice president of the International Paper mill at Rumford Falls and an expert in the industry, about building a pulp and paper mill near the dam. Schenck agreed, and set about obtaining the necessary financial backing. After securing land rights, the chosen site was at the junction of the West Branch of the Penobscot River and Millinocket Stream, where it stands today. Things moved quickly, and on May 15, 1899, construction began on
672-510: A male householder with no wife present, and 39.8% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.58. The median age in the town was 51.5 years. 15.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.8% were from 25 to 44; 36.6% were from 45 to 64; and 24.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of
768-468: A reference to yellow road stripes, is given to those who hitchhike to move either down or up the trail. Part of hiker subculture includes making colorful entries in logbooks at trail shelters, signed using pseudonyms called "trail names". The Appalachian Trail Conservancy gives the name "2000 Miler" to anyone who completes the entire trail. The ATC's recognition policy for "2000 Milers" gives equal recognition to thru-hikers and section-hikers, operates on
864-491: A system of communication for a network of hikers along the trail. Shelter logs—entries written in log books at certain shelters—can provide proof of who summits certain mountains and can warn about dangerous animals or unfriendly people in the area. Hikers may cite when a certain water source is dried up, providing crucial information to other hikers. In addition to official shelters, many people offer their homes, places of business, or inns to accommodate AT hikers. One example
960-558: A week (from 4:55 am through 11:10 pm ET ), under the slogan , " Radio With An Attitude ") and WSYY 1240 offers CBS Sports Radio as " CBS Sports Radio for the Katahdin Area " from Dawn until Dusk ( ET ), broadcasting only on Weekends (but not between Monday-through-Friday). As an Adult Hits / Full-Service radio station, WSYY-FM airs a format consisting of a mix of oldies / classic hits , adult contemporary , rock music , and some country crossovers, airing
1056-589: A wooden floor, although some shelters are much more complex in structure. Shelters are usually spaced a day's hike or less apart, most often near a water source (which may be dry) and with a privy . They generally have spaces for tent sites in the vicinity as the shelters may be full. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) operates a system of eight huts along 56 miles (90 km) of New Hampshire's White Mountains. These huts are significantly larger than standard trail shelters and offer full-service lodging and meals during
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#17327766587991152-557: Is East Turner Mountain at 2,456 feet (749 m) next to Baxter State Park . At the 2000 census there were 144,919 people, 58,096 households, and 37,820 families living in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile (17 people/km ). There were 66,847 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (7.7/km ). The county's racial makeup was 96.60% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 0.61% of
1248-563: Is a separate trail and not an official extension of the Appalachian Trail. Other branches are designated in parts of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and along the western shore of Newfoundland, to the northern end of the Appalachian Mountain range , where it enters the Atlantic Ocean, near L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site . The route has since been extended to Greenland , Europe , and Morocco . Although
1344-613: Is far more prevalent along the trail than true alpine conditions. While it mainly exists in the north, a few mountains in the south have subalpine environments, which are typically coated in an ecosystem known as the Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest . Southern ranges and mountains where sub-alpine environments occur include the Great Smoky Mountains , where sub-alpine environments only begin around 6,000 feet (1,800 m) in elevation, Roan Highlands on
1440-658: Is made up of maples, birch and beech , with colorful foliage displays in September and October. While the vast majority of lowland forest south of the White Mountains is hardwood, many areas have some coniferous trees as well, and in Maine, these often grow at low elevations. There is a drastic change between the lowland and subalpine , evergreen forest, as well as another, higher break, at tree line , above which only hardy alpine plants grow. The sub-alpine region
1536-800: Is only around 3,500 feet (1,100 m). This elevation in Massachusetts would barely be a subalpine region, and, south of Virginia, consists of lowland forest. This illustrates the drastic change in climate over 2,000 miles (3,200 km). Bicycles are prohibited from most of the trail, except for the sections that follow the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O Canal) in Maryland and the Virginia Creeper Trail in Virginia . Horses and pack animals are prohibited except horses on
1632-572: Is provided by Bee Line Cable, which provides most of the network affiliates from Bangor. Penobscot County, Maine Penobscot County is a county in the U.S. state of Maine , named for the Penobscot people in Wabanakik. As of the 2020 census , the population was 152,199, making it the third-most-populous county in Maine. Its county seat is Bangor . The county was established on February 15, 1816, from part of Hancock County when
1728-567: Is the Little Lyford Pond camps maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club. Inns are more common in sections of the trail that coincide with national parks, most notably Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. The trail crosses many roads, providing opportunity for hikers to hitchhike into town for food and other supplies. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy lists over 40 communities that have qualified as part of
1824-500: Is the largest omnivore that may be encountered on the trail, and it inhabits all regions of the Appalachians. Bear sightings on the trail are uncommon, except in certain sections, especially Shenandoah National Park and portions of New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts sections, where bear populations have increased steadily since 1980; confrontations are rarer still. Other hazards include venomous snakes, including
1920-876: The Appalachian National Scenic Trail under the National Trails System Act of 1968. The trail is maintained by 31 trail clubs and multiple partnerships and managed by the National Park Service , United States Forest Service , and the nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Most of the trail is in forest or wild lands, but some parts traverse towns, roads, and farms. From south to north it passes through Georgia , North Carolina , Tennessee , Virginia , West Virginia , Maryland , Pennsylvania , New Jersey , New York , Connecticut , Massachusetts , Vermont , New Hampshire , and Maine . Thru-hikers walk
2016-545: The Eastern United States , extending almost 2,200 miles (3,540 km) between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine, and passing through 14 states. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy claims the Appalachian Trail to be the world's longest hiking-only trail. More than three million people hike segments of it each year. The trail was first proposed in 1921 and completed in 1937. Improvements and changes have continued since then. It became
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#17327766587992112-505: The Köppen Climate Classification system, Millinocket has a humid continental climate , abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. As of the census of 2010, there were 4,506 people, 2,167 households, and 1,305 families living in the town. The population density was 282.5 inhabitants per square mile (109.1/km). There were 2,586 housing units at an average density of 162.1 per square mile (62.6/km). The racial makeup of
2208-664: The National Forest service actually mows the grasses periodically in order to keep the balds free of trees. There are no subalpine regions between Mount Rogers in Virginia and Mount Greylock in Massachusetts , mainly because the trail stays below 3,000 feet (910 m) from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Mount Greylock. But Mount Greylock has a large subalpine region, the only such forest in Massachusetts, extending down to 3,000 feet (910 m), which in
2304-550: The National Park Service to map a permanent route for the trail, and by 1971 a permanent route had been marked (though minor changes continue to this day). By the close of the 20th century, the Park Service had completed the purchase of all but a few miles of the trail's span. The International Appalachian Trail is a 1,900-mile (3,100 km) extension running northeast from Maine into New Brunswick and Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula , where it ends at Forillon National Park . It
2400-646: The North Carolina - Tennessee border, where sub-alpine growth descends below 6,000 feet (1,800 m), and Mount Rogers and the Grayson Highlands in Virginia , where there is some alpine growth above 5,000 feet (1,500 m). Appalachian balds are also found in the Southern highlands, and are believed to occur due to fires or grazing in recent centuries, or in some cases due to thin, sandy soils. Several balds are sprouting trees, and on some,
2496-575: The Shenandoah region of Virginia. Shelters are generally maintained by local volunteers. Almost all shelters have one or more pre-hung food hangers (generally consisting of a short nylon cord with an upside-down tuna can suspended halfway down its length) where hikers can hang their food bags to keep them out of the reach of rodents. In hiker lingo, these are sometimes called "mouse trapezes". Most shelters also contain "unofficial registries", which are known as shelter logs. These logs usually come in
2592-622: The Smoky Mountains ; and moose , which may be found in the vicinity of Massachusetts and northward. Small mammal species that inhabit along the trails are beaver , squirrel , river otter , chipmunk , porcupine , bobcat , two species of fox , boar , woodchuck , raccoon , and coyote . Bird species that reside in the trails are wild turkey , ruffed grouse , mourning dove , raven , two species of eagle , wood duck , three species of owl , and three species of hawk as well as warblers . There are different kinds of squirrels along
2688-668: The Triple Crown of Hiking in the United States. The trail was conceived by Benton MacKaye , a forester who wrote his original plan—called "An Appalachian Trail, A Project in Regional Planning" —shortly after his wife's death in 1921. MacKaye's idea detailed a grand trail that would connect a series of farms and wilderness work/study camps for city-dwellers along the Appalachian Mountains from
2784-576: The United States Census Bureau , the town has an area of 18.22 square miles (47.19 km), of which 15.95 square miles (41.31 km) is land and 2.27 square miles (5.88 km) is water. The town is crossed by State Route 11 and State Route 157 . The town of East Millinocket is 8 miles (13 km) to the east. Millinocket is the closest town to Mount Katahdin , in Baxter State Park , 20 miles (32 km) to
2880-759: The West Branch of the Penobscot River . Schools in Millinocket are under the jurisdiction of the Millinocket School Department . The town's primary school is the Granite Street School, the middle school is Millinocket Middle School, and the secondary school is Stearns High School . Millinocket has one traditional newspaper and one online newspaper which serve the area: The area is served by several radio stations, mainly Millinocket-licensed WSYY-FM The Mountain 94.9 (broadcasting for approximately 18¼ hours per day, 7 days
2976-506: The White Mountains in New Hampshire , it often occurs well below 3,000 feet (910 m). At Mount Moosilauke , which summits at 4,802 feet (1,464 m), the first alpine environment on the trail is reached, where only thin, sporadic flora are interspersed with bare rocks. Between the two regions is the krummholz region, where stunted trees grow with their branches oriented away from the winter's prevailing northwest wind, giving
Millinocket, Maine - Misplaced Pages Continue
3072-598: The 1920s. Fink was inducted into the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame in 2019. In 1922, only a year after MacKaye's article proposing an Appalachian Trail was written, Fink began corresponding with hiking leaders in New England about building the Trail. When Avery began planning the Trail's route in the south, Fink was the first person he contacted. Many of the trail's present highlights were not part of
3168-659: The A.T. above treeline include Mount Moosilauke , several miles along the Franconia Range and along the Presidential Range . In the Presidentials, the trail climbs as high as 6,288 feet (1,917 m) on Mount Washington and spends about 13 miles (21 km) continuously above treeline, in the largest alpine environment in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains . The segments of
3264-464: The AT with automobile support teams, without backpacks, and without camping in the woods. Thru-hikers are classified into many informal groups. "Purists" are hikers who stick to the official AT trail, follow the white blazes, except for side trips to shelters and camp sites. "Blue Blazers" cut miles from the full route by taking side trails marked by blue blazes. The generally pejorative name "Yellow Blazers",
3360-404: The Appalachian Trail as well, especially in Maine. They are generally smaller and very territorial, and produce a loud call if approached. For most hikers, the most persistent pests along the trail are ticks , mosquitos , and black flies along with the mice that inhabit shelters. Plant life along the trail is varied. The trail passes through several different biomes from south to north, and
3456-622: The Appalachian Trail ends in Georgia, the Appalachian Mountains continue south to Flagg Mountain in Alabama. In 2008, the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail in Alabama and Georgia, which terminates at Flagg Mountain, was connected to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail via the Benton MacKaye Trail . Promoters of the Southern extension refer to MacKaye's statement at the 1925 conference that
3552-553: The Appalachian Trail would require an act of the United States Congress . The 8.8-mile (14.2 km) Appalachian Approach Trail in Georgia begins at Amicalola Falls State Park 's visitor center and ends at Springer Mountain. Because Springer Mountain is in a remote area, the Approach Trail is often the beginning of North bound thru-hike attempts. Much of the Approach Trail was originally built as part of
3648-424: The Appalachian Trail, before the southern terminus was relocated from Mount Oglethorpe to Springer Mountain. The Appalachian Trail is home to thousands of species of plants and animals, including 2,000 rare, threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant and animal species. The American black bear ( Ursus americanus ), among the largest animals along the Appalachian Trail, rarely confronts people. The black bear
3744-574: The C&;O Canal and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Several short segments of the trail, in towns and scenic natural areas, were built to ADA accessibly standards for wheelchair use. Throughout its length, the AT is marked by white paint blazes that are 2 by 6 inches (5 by 15 cm). Side trails to shelters, viewpoints and parking areas use similarly shaped blue blazes. In past years, some sections of
3840-636: The Eastern timber rattlesnake and copperhead , which are common along the trail. Both snakes are generally found in drier, rockier sections of the trail; the copperhead's range extends north to around the New Jersey –New York state line, while rattlesnakes are commonly found along the trail in Connecticut and have been reported, although rarely, as far north as New Hampshire . Other large mammals commonly sighted include deer ; elk , reintroduced in
3936-736: The Fowler family as guides on a trip to Mount Katahdin , which he wrote about in The Maine Woods . When the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad extended service to Houlton in 1894, the line ran through the area, opening it to development. Charles W. Mullen, an engineering graduate from the University of Maine , proposed a hydroelectric dam on the Penobscot River . He recognized the falls as an ideal water power source to operate
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4032-631: The Georgia to New Hampshire trail should, in the future, extend to Katahdin, and "then to Birmingham, Alabama". As of March 2015 , The Pinhoti Trail terminates at the base of Flagg Mountain, near Weogufka in Coosa County , 50 miles (80 km) east of Birmingham. In 2010, the Alabama state legislature formed the Alabama Appalachian Mountain Trail Commission to provide state resources for trail improvements, although officially designating Pinhoti as part of
4128-532: The Hopper (a glacial cirque westward of the trail as it traverses Mt. Greylock in Massachusetts), and "The Hermitage", near Gulf Hagas in Maine. In the south, the forest is dominated by hardwoods, including oak and tulip trees , also known as yellow poplar. Farther north, tulip trees are gradually replaced by maples and birches . Oaks begin to disappear in Massachusetts. By Vermont, the lowland forest
4224-638: The appearance of flags; they are sometimes called "flag trees". This region resembles lowland terrain hundreds of miles north in Canada. It also contains many endangered and threatened species. The trail has been rerouted over New Hampshire's Presidential Range so the Appalachian Mountain Club can protect certain plant life. The alpine cutoff in the Whites is generally between 4,200 and 4,800 feet (1,300 and 1,500 m). Mountains traversed by
4320-460: The area was still part of Massachusetts . Penobscot County is home to the University of Maine . Penobscot County comprises the Bangor, ME Metropolitan Statistical Area . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has an area of 3,557 square miles (9,210 km ), of which 3,397 square miles (8,800 km ) is land and 160 square miles (410 km ) (4.5%) is water. The county highpoint
4416-405: The average family size was 2.69. In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.1% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males. The median income for a household in the town
4512-663: The cause. In 1929, Perkins, who was also a member of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association and its Blue Blazed Trails committee, found Ned Anderson , a farmer in Sherman, Connecticut , who took on the task of mapping and blazing the Connecticut leg of the trail (1929–1933). It ran from Dog Tail Corners in Webatuck, New York , which borders Kent, Connecticut , at Ashley Falls, 50 miles (80 km) through
4608-485: The climate changes significantly, particularly dependent upon elevation. In the south, lowland forests consist mainly of second-growth; nearly the entire trail has been logged at one time or another. There are, however, a few old growth locations along the trail, such as Sages Ravine straddling the Massachusetts-Connecticut border and atop higher peaks along the trail on either side of the same border,
4704-522: The cold climate. Maine also has several alpine regions. In addition to several areas of the Mahoosuc Range, the Baldpates, and Old Blue in southern Maine have alpine characteristics despite elevations below 4,000 feet (1,200 m). Saddleback Mountain and Mount Bigelow , further north, extend only a bit above 4,000 feet (1,200 m), but each has long alpine areas, with no tree growth on
4800-408: The county. The population density was 45.3 inhabitants per square mile (17.5/km ). There were 73,860 housing units at an average density of 21.7 units per square mile (8.4 units/km ). The county's racial makeup was 95.4% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of
4896-414: The entire trail in a single season. The number of thru-hikes per year has increased steadily since 2010, with 715 northbound and 133 southbound thru-hikes reported in 2017. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy estimates there are over 3,000 attempts to traverse the entire trail each year, about 25% of which succeed. Many books, documentaries, and websites are dedicated to the pursuit. Some hike from one end to
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#17327766587994992-718: The first section of the trail, from Bear Mountain west through Harriman State Park to Arden, New York , was opened. MacKaye then called for a two-day Appalachian Trail conference to be held in March 1925 in Washington, D.C. This meeting inspired the formation of the Appalachian Trail Conference (now called the Appalachian Trail Conservancy ) (ATC). Arthur Perkins , a retired judge, and his younger associate Myron Avery took up
5088-431: The form spiral-bound notebooks that are kept in containers in shelters all along the trail, and signing in them is not required. These logs give hikers a way to leave day-to-day messages while they are on the trail to document where they have been, where they are going, and who/what they have seen. The logs provide a space for informal writing and can also be used to keep track of people on the trail. Most of all, they provide
5184-513: The format for approximately 16 hours per day, from 6:00 am through 10:00 pm ET (reserving the first and, also, the final hour of their broadcast day to When Radio Was ). Stations from Bangor and the more powerful stations from Presque Isle are also heard. Millinocket was home to the Discovery Channel TV show American Loggers which showcased the logging efforts of Gerald Pelletier Incorporated. Cable television
5280-882: The highest point in the North ( Mount Washington in New Hampshire) to the highest in the South ( Mount Mitchell in North Carolina). Hiking was an incidental focus of his plan. In 1922, at the suggestion of Major William A. Welch , director of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission , his idea was publicized by Raymond H. Torrey with a story in the New York Evening Post under a full-page banner headline reading "A Great Trail from Maine to Georgia!" On October 7, 1923,
5376-507: The honor system, and recognizes blue-blazed trails or officially required roadwalks as substitutes for the official, white-blazed route during an emergency such as a flood, forest fire, or impending storm on an exposed, high-elevation stretch. As of 2018, more than 19,000 people had reported completing the entire trail. The northbound completion rate of hiking the trail in twelve months or fewer varied from 19% to 27% from 2011 to 2018. The southbound completion rate varied between 27% and 30% during
5472-415: The influx of users escaping home isolation. In 2021, the conservancy suspended issuing hang tags for through-hikers for a period during the continuing pandemic. Trail hikers who attempt to complete the entire trail in a single season are called " thru-hikers "; those who traverse the trail during a series of separate trips are known as "section-hikers". Rugged terrain, weather extremes, illness, injury, and
5568-402: The lungs. The affected hiker recovered and hiked the trail the following year. The section of the trail that runs through the Mid-Atlantic and New England states has a very high population of deer ticks carrying Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, and corresponds to the highest density of reported Lyme disease in the country. The weather is a major consideration for hikers. Hiking season of
5664-409: The mills in 2008, a Canadian corporation purchased the bankrupt paper mills in both Millinocket and East Millinocket. In addition to the traditional forest products industry, Millinocket has been growing a service economy , and has grown into a major four-season tourist attraction. The region is served by the Millinocket Municipal Airport , which sells both 100LL avgas and jet fuel . According to
5760-414: The most populous county in Maine's 2nd congressional district , Penobscot County's support for Donald Trump in 2016 helped deliver him a split electoral vote from Maine. It was the first time since 1828 that Maine split its electoral votes. School districts include: University of Maine is in Orono. Appalachian Trail The Appalachian Trail , also called the A.T. , is a hiking trail in
5856-412: The new Great Northern Paper Company paper mill . As the location was not near existing towns, it became necessary to build one. Millinocket, meaning "the land of many islands" after all the islands in the Penobscot River, was incorporated on March 16, 1901. Schenck contracted bonded labor , especially stonemasons from Italy. The term "bonded" in this case referred to the fact that the Italians owed for
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#17327766587995952-481: The new trail cleared and blazed, by six Boy Scouts from New York City and their guides. The thru-hike was much later recorded and accepted by the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association . In 1938, the trail sustained major damage from a hurricane that went through the New England area. This was soon before the start of World War II, and many of the people working on the trail were called to active duty. In 1948, Earl Shaffer of York, Pennsylvania , brought
6048-410: The northwest corner of the state, up to Bear Mountain at the Massachusetts state line. A portion of the Connecticut trail has since been rerouted (1979–1983) to be more scenic, adhering less to highways and more to wilderness, and includes the Ned K. Anderson Memorial Bridge. Anderson's efforts helped spark renewed interest in the trail, and Avery, who led the project after Perkins's death in 1932,
6144-460: The northwest. At an elevation of 5,270 feet (1,610 m), its summit is the highest point in Maine and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail . Millinocket Stream flows through the town, from Millinocket Lake north of the town into the West Branch Penobscot River . This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to
6240-467: The organization's "A.T. Community" program, having become recognized for providing food, supplies and accommodations for passers-through. In the areas of the trail closer to trail towns, many hikers have experienced what is sometimes called "trail magic", or assistance from strangers through kind actions, gifts, and other forms of encouragement. Trail magic is sometimes done anonymously. In other instances, persons have provided food and cooked for hikers at
6336-407: The original trail often climbed straight up and down mountains, creating rough hiking conditions and a treadway prone to severe erosion. The ATC's trail crews and volunteer trail-maintaining clubs have relocated or rehabilitated miles of trail since then. In 1936, a 121-day Maine to Georgia veteran's group funded and supported thru-hike was reported to have been completed, with all but three miles of
6432-423: The other, then turn around and thru-hike the other way, a "yo-yo". Affiliated trail sections extend from either end from the north as the International Appalachian Trail into Canada and beyond, and from the south as the Eastern Continental Trail into the Southeastern states of Alabama and Florida . The Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail , and the Pacific Crest Trail informally constitute
6528-454: The paper industry, but also to its proximity to Katahdin, Maine's tallest mountain, and Moosehead Lake , Maine's largest lake. In early 2003, Great Northern Paper announced it had filed for bankruptcy protection for its Millinocket and East Millinocket mills. Since then, the mill town has struggled to reshape its economy, while receiving significant help from the state government and local economic development efforts. Shortly after closing
6624-413: The passage to the U.S. and were in debt as soon as they set foot in this country. Italian masons were largely responsible for constructing the Millinocket mill. Immigrants from Poland, Finland, Lithuania, and Hungary, as well as French Canadians, also came to work on the mill. Throughout the 20th century, the community prospered. It developed a reputation as a small but successful rural town, mostly due to
6720-581: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.8% were of English , 17.3% United States or American, 14.0% French , 13.0% Irish and 6.7% French Canadian ancestry. 95.8% spoke English and 2.3% French as their first language. There were 58,096 households, of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.90% were non-families. 26.70% of households were one person and 10.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size
6816-409: The population. There were 2,295 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and
6912-473: The population. In terms of ancestry, 20.9% were English , 17.2% were Irish , 9.4% were American , 7.1% were German , 6.0% were French Canadian , and 5.9% were Scottish . Of the 62,966 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.2% were non-families, and 28.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size
7008-458: The south would be far from the subalpine cutoff. This is especially low because Greylock is exposed to prevailing westerly winds, as the summits along its ridgeline rise about 200 to 650 feet (61 to 198 m) higher than any other peak in Massachusetts. Farther north, several peaks in Vermont reach into the subalpine zone, the bottom of which steadily descends as one proceeds northward, so that by
7104-547: The state ranges from around 2,500 feet (760 m) in the Mahoosuc Range to below 1,000 feet (300 m) in parts of the Hundred-Mile Wilderness , where nearly every area higher than 1,000 feet (300 m) is evergreen forest. These forests include more species of evergreen, as well. In addition to the white pine , spruce , and hemlock prevalent further south, Maine has many cedar trees along
7200-585: The summer months. The Fontana Dam Shelter in North Carolina is more commonly referred to as the Fontana Hilton because of amenities (e.g. flushable toilets) and its proximity to an all-you-can-eat buffet and post office. Several AMC huts have an extended self-service season during the fall, with two extending self-service seasons through the winter and spring. The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club maintains trail cabins, shelters, and huts throughout
7296-462: The summit and unobstructed views on clear days. From Mount Bigelow, the trail extends for 150 miles (240 km) with only a small area of alpine growth around 3,500 feet (1,100 m) on the summit of White Cap Mountain . Mount Katahdin, the second-largest alpine environment in the eastern United States, has several square miles of alpine area on the flat "table land" summit as well as the cliffs and aretes leading up to it. Treeline on Mount Katahdin
7392-450: The time and effort required make thru-hiking difficult to accomplish. As of 2017, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy estimated that 3,839 hikers set out from Springer Mountain, northbound, 497 from Mount Katahdin, southbound, and reported 1,186 completions of hiking the entire trail, which includes those by both section and through hikers. Most thru-hikers walk northward from Georgia to Maine, and generally start out in early spring and follow
7488-551: The town was 48.6% male and 51.4% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 5,203 people, 2,295 households, and 1,556 families living in the town. The population density was 327.5 inhabitants per square mile (126.4/km). There were 2,679 housing units at an average density of 168.6/sq mi (65.1/km). The racial makeup of the town was 98.52% White , 0.10% Black or African American , 0.54% Native American , 0.37% Asian , 0.02% from other races , and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.23% of
7584-444: The town was 97.7% White , 0.2% African American , 0.7% Native American , 0.4% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 0.1% from other races , and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population. There were 2,167 households, of which 19.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had
7680-489: The trail also used metal diamond markers with the AT logo, few of which survive. Most hikers carry a lightweight tent, tent hammock or tarp. The trail has more than 250 shelters and campsites available for hikers. The shelters, sometimes called lean-tos (in Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut), huts (in Shenandoah National Park), or Adirondack shelters, are generally open, three-walled structures with
7776-494: The trail from development, thanks to efforts of politicians and officials. Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson offered legislation to protect the route. The National Trails System Act of 1968 designated the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail as the first national scenic trails and paved the way for a series of such trails within the national park and national forest systems. Trail volunteers worked with
7872-478: The trail generally starts in mid-to-late spring, when conditions are much more favorable in the South. However, this time may also be characterized by extreme heat, sometimes in excess of 100 °F (38 °C). Farther north and at higher elevations, the weather can be characterized by low temperatures, strong winds, hail or snow storms and reduced visibility. Prolonged rain, though not typically life-threatening, can undermine stamina and ruin supplies. In March 2015,
7968-694: The trail in 1937: Roan Mountain , North Carolina and Tennessee; the Mount Rogers high country, including Grayson Highlands , Virginia; the Pochuck Creek swamp, New Jersey; Nuclear Lake, New York; Thundering Falls, Vermont; and Saddleback Mountain , Maine. Except for places where the Civilian Conservation Corps was brought in (mostly in Shenandoah National Park , the Great Smoky Mountains , and Maine),
8064-506: The trail in Shenandoah National Park. The primary suspect was later discovered harassing a female cyclist in the vicinity, but charges against him were dropped and the case remained unsolved until 2024. In May 2019, Oklahoman Ronald S. Sanchez Jr., 43 years old, was murdered at a campsite near Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in western Virginia Jefferson National Forest. A female hiker who has not been identified
8160-417: The trail through Pennsylvania are so rocky that hikers call the region "Rocksylvania". These small rocks, which are the result of erosion that has worn away the dirt along the trails, can be tough to walk on for extended periods of time without proper hard-soled shoes. In Maine , the trail extends into even harsher environments, and subalpine and alpine growth descends to lower elevations. Alpine growth in
8256-467: The trail, making him the oldest person to claim a completed thru-hike. The first woman to walk the trail in a single season was Peace Pilgrim in 1952, while the first solo woman to complete the hike was 67-year-old Emma Gatewood , who did it northbound in 1955, taking 146 days. She repeated the achievement two years later, and again in 1963, at age 75. In the 1960s, the ATC made progress toward protecting
8352-445: The trail. Many animals live around the trail, with bears, snakes, and wild boars posing the greatest threat to human safety. Several rodent- and bug-borne illnesses are also a potential hazard. In scattered instances, foxes, raccoons , and other small animals may bite hikers, posing risk of rabies and other diseases. There has been one reported case (in 1993) of hantavirus (HPS), a rare but dangerous rodent-borne disease affecting
8448-409: The trail. Near the northern terminus, there are even some tamarack (larch), a coniferous, pine-needled deciduous tree, which provides displays of yellow in the late fall after the birches and maples have gone bare. The hemlocks in Maine are also notable, as the woolly adelgid , which has ravaged populations further south, has not come into the state yet, and may be unable to make it so far north due to
8544-424: The warm weather as it moves north. These "north-bounders" are also called NOBO (NOrthBOund) or GAME (Georgia(GA)-to-Maine(ME)), while those heading in the opposite direction are termed "south-bounders" (also SOBO or MEGA). A thru-hike generally requires five to seven months, although some have done it in three months, and several trail runners have completed the trail in less time. Trail runners typically tackle
8640-606: Was $ 29,318, and the median income for a family was $ 40,893. Males had a median income of $ 41,218 versus $ 23,289 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 17,130. About 11.8% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over. Sites of interest include the Antique Snowmobile Museum, the Millinocket Historical Society and Museum, and
8736-401: Was $ 42,206. Males had a median income of $ 32,824 versus $ 23,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 17,801. About 9.70% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line , including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over. At the 2010 census , there were 153,923 people, 62,966 households, and 38,917 families living in
8832-441: Was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 39.9 years. The county's median household income was $ 42,658 and the median family income was $ 54,271. Males had a median income of $ 41,094 versus $ 31,910 for females. The county's per capita income was $ 22,977. About 10.1% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over. As
8928-400: Was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88. The age distribution was 22.80% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males. The median household income was $ 34,274 and the median family income
9024-405: Was able to bring other states on board. Upon taking over the ATC, Avery adopted the goal to build a simple hiking trail. He and MacKaye clashed over the ATC's response to the construction of a road that overlapped part within Shenandoah National Park; MacKaye left the organization, while Avery was willing to reroute the trail. Avery served as Chair of the ATC from 1932 to 1952, the year he died. He
9120-469: Was also injured by an assailant there. James L. Jordan, 30, of West Yarmouth, Massachusetts was found not guilty of the crimes by reason of insanity. Human error can lead to casualties as well. In July 2013, 66-year-old lone hiker Geraldine Largay disappeared on the trail in Maine. Largay became lost and survived 26 days before dying. Her remains were found two years later in October 2015. In October 2015,
9216-464: Was the first to walk the trail end-to-end, though not as a thru-hike, in 1936. In August 1937, the trail was completed to Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine, and the ATC shifted its focus toward protecting the trail lands and mapping the trail for hikers. In 1977, the Appalachian Trail Conference honored Paul M. Fink as "the guiding influence" in establishing the Trail in Tennessee and North Carolina in
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