AT hikers take a lot for granted. Most will complain about problems on the ground but must fully realize the years of work by volunteers and the assistance of federal agencies like the NPS and USDA-FS.
Take Tinker Mountain in Virginia. From my AT book.
Further north, the troubles along the iconic Catawba Ridge and famous McAfee’s Knob were brewing to the point that the AT was temporarily relocated to the north, forced off the mountain by private landowners in 1977. The RATC however, put in a twenty-mile RELO in one day, eliminating a potential road walk. They moved the trail off Catawba Mountain in 1978 to North Mountain that remained the route until the NPS bought the land in early 1980s. Since the 1970s the Roanoke AT Club relocated 120 miles of trail. Fortunately, McAfee was open for me and my companions in 1974.
Today this historic view is found on the Trail again thanks to the hard work of the AT volunteers who made that possible. It is quite likely the most famous landmark on the entire AT, surpassing the shot of a hiker climbing on top of the summit sign on Katahdin. Yet, overuse by day hikers continue to threaten the ridge and complicate the efforts of the local volunteers.
The Original Picture?
Here is a scan of the Guide Book Map. (red highlights are LTs). A couple days later we were resting by the cement pond at Hojo Motel, er' LT.
AT 2,000 Milers, Jim and Hertha Flack write about this area in the ATC published book.
Flack, J and H. Flack. (1981). Ambling and Scrambling on the Appalachian Trail. ATC.
Out of print but copies can be found from your favorite used bookstore. A delight to read!
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