Michele Underwood 12/22/25 Michele Underwood 12/22/25

Appalachian Trail Series, Part 3: Trail Clubs, Shelters, and How the A.T. Is Supported

The Appalachian Trail isn’t maintained by accident. This part of the series looks at the organizations, trail clubs, shelters, campsites, and volunteer systems that keep the A.T. open and hikeable from Georgia to Maine.

Michele Underwood 12/18/25 Michele Underwood 12/18/25

Appalachian Trail Series, Part 2: From Springer Mountain to Katahdin

A clear overview of the modern Appalachian Trail—from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. This post covers where the trail officially starts and ends, the states it crosses, and how the route flows north through the Appalachians.

Michele Underwood 11/20/25 Michele Underwood 11/20/25

Appalachian Trail Series, Part 1: The Mountains and the Big Idea

This first post in my Appalachian Trail series goes back to the beginning—Appalachian Mountains geology, Benton MacKaye’s big idea, and how the A.T. became a 2,197-mile National Scenic Trail.

Michele Underwood 3/22/25 Michele Underwood 3/22/25

Best Spring Hiking Trails in the U.S.

Spring is the perfect time to get outside. From the Smokies to Big Bend, here are the top U.S. hiking trails to explore in 2025—plus gear tips and maps.

Michele Underwood 3/22/25 Michele Underwood 3/22/25

Best Spring Hikes for Wildflowers in the U.S. [2025 Guide]

From trillium-covered forests to blooming desert trails, we’ve rounded up the best places to hike for spring wildflowers in the U.S. this season.