The Appalachian Trail spans a distance of approximately 2,200 miles. It is situated in the eastern part of the United States of America and covers a distance from the state of Maine to the Georgia. It also travels through the other states of New York, Vermont, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Humble Beginnings
The history of the Appalachian Trail begins in the year 1921. It started as an idea formulated by Benton MacKaye. MacKaye had extensive history working with the forest and was familiar with many of the areas that the route would traverse in the future. The goal of the trail was to connect different farms and wilderness lands and make these areas accessible to both the individuals who lived in them and visitors. The hope was that the result would be easier access to these lands so that they could be studied and enjoyed.
A year after MacKaye conceived his idea, it was first discussed in print. In 1922 the New York Evening Post published a large spread which stated “A Great Trail from Maine to Georgia.” The idea immediately captured the imagination of the public as a whole as well as many Park organizations.
Taking Shape
In 1923, the first part of the trail began to take shape. A section that began in Bear Mountain and ended in New York was opened. Eager to see the rest of his project become a reality, in 1925 MacKaye spearheaded a conference that was held in the nation’s capital. Out of this conference brought the Appalachian Trail Conference, which is currently referred to as the Appalachian Trail Conservatory.
Arthur Perkins, a retired judge, spearheaded much of the work done on the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut. Starting in 1929, and with the help of individuals like Myron Avery and Ned Anderson, work was done mapping and laying out the part of the Appalachian Trail that goes through Connecticut.
The interest that Perkins and Avery took in continuing the trail encouraged others to become interested once again in finishing this immense project. Avery and MacKaye did not always see eye to eye on various aspects the trail. Eventually these disagreements and other factors led to Mackaye resigning from the Appalachian Trail Conference. Avery had a more flexible view of where the trail would travel and the purpose that it would serve. Therefore, he continued working with the ATC serving as the chairman until his death in 1952.
Avery was the first individual to have the experience of walking the Appalachian Trail. Though he did not walk from end-to-end, he was able to complete the walk in sections. The first person who is documented to do a thru-hike on the trail was Earl Schaffer. He accomplished this feat in the year 1948. Amazingly, he was able to repeat his walk of the trail in the year 1998. At this time, Schaffer was 80 years old.
The Modern Trail
Since the 1960's, politicians and city officials have worked together to protect the trail from development. In 1969 The National Trails System Act was enacted as legislation to protect the Appalachian Trail. To date, the trail is looked after by a mixture of volunteers and Park services.
