Section 1
The Thru-hiker's Handbook 2003 3
Features for the entire Appalachian Trail are listed in the mileage tables of this section,
arranged geographically from Georgia to Maine in the order they would be encountered
by a hiker traveling northbound. All directions off the Trail (either "right" or "left") are
presented from the viewpoint of the northbounder as well. Each feature has associated
mileage figures showing total distance from Springer and Katahdin. Distance between
any two points on the A.T. can be calculated by subtracting miles for one point from
the other. The symbol indicates that additional information about a feature is
available in the "Thru-hiker Notes" section (see page 91 for instructions about how to
locate information in that section). The following meanings apply to symbols,
abbreviations, and terms used in the mileage tables, as follows:
an official A.T. shelter; also called "lean-to" or "hut" in some areas. Shelters are
listed with direction and distance off the Trail, type and location of water source, and
distance to the next shelter south and north (the latter indicated in this way
S8.6m|N4.4m
) on the line below the shelter's name.
R
a recognizable vehicle path, can be anything from an overgrown and/or unpaved
woods road to an interstate highway.
H
a hiker hostel, or a place that offers basic hiker accommodations at substantially
less cost than non-hikers are charged for overnight stay.
C
any place where camping is allowed (usually means a campsite or campground,
can be either commercial or non-commercial).
L
any commercial lodging facility (usually means a hotel, motel, or b&b).
M
any place where prepared food or meals are sold (usually means a restaurant).
G
any place that sells grocery items (from convenience store to supermarket).
O
any place that sells basic backpacking gear (usually means an outfitter).
Lm
indicates laundry facilities available for use by the general public.
f
denotes that fuel for backpacking stoves is available "by the ounce."
w
any source of water (but does not guarantee that the water is potable).
?
qualifies something as limited or unreliable (usually combined with one of the
above abbreviations, e.g., "w?" indicates an unreliable water source).
Also note--The term "stream" denotes any kind of free-flowing water source, including
brooks, creeks, and rivers (unless the water source has its own name, e.g., Hudson
River). Towns are listed in bold print, with the most frequently used towns shown in
all capital letters as well. Distance off the Trail to a town is usually from the A.T. to the
post office, and all towns listed in this guide have post offices. Some features shown
as separated by one-tenth of a mile may actually be somewhat closer together.
Mileage Index
