Possible Maildrop List for the Appalachian Trail

Possible places where you might send a maildrop for a northbound Thru Hike of the Appalachian Trail where good resupply for adequate nutrition is challenging, very limited or can be pricey. Or if it's real easy to get a drop too (some POs are right on the trail). See below for some Southbound options.



Neels Gap, Ga - Outfitter at Mountain Crossings but there is some resupply here

Outfitter at Natahala Outdoor Center - NOC (there is a small store but resupply is meager)

Fontana Village before the Smokies (or if staying at the Hike Inn, there - have offered shuttles to town). Watch PO open times, they can vary and frustrates hikers.

Possibly Standing Bear Farm out of the Smokies but there is also resupply there

Kincora Hostel

Bland, VA (will need a hitch)

Glasgow, VA (store here, but unsure of what they have. rather long haul from Daleville to Waynesboro if you skip it)

ATC at Harper's Ferry - opened seven days a week, but until 5 PM

Delaware Water Gap, PA - PO right near the trail

Fort Montgomery NY

Salisbury, CT ( I sent here, there is a store but it was pretty pricey)

Dalton, MA - just a convenience store, and PO is convenient

Inn at Long Trail unless you take the bus into Rutland, VT

Hanover, NH  (may be sending cold weather gear here to for the Whites. There is the food co-op but it is pricey. PO is convenient)

Glencliff, NH (cold weather gear for sure and send some food too)

Crawford Notch  (I sent mine to Highland Lodge, need a hitch though)

AMC center at Pinkham Notch

Andover, ME has a small store but you might send.

Stratton, ME - motel there or the PO

Caratunk, ME  - friendly PO

Monson, ME - store closed, send a box

Southbounders can do it the opposite direction but the store at NOC will likely be closed or very limited stock, so need a drop there. Also there is usually no transportation to Fontana Village for the PO. Might consider instead resupplying in Gatlinburg in the middle of the Smokies to get you to NOC. Also, your colder weather gear will need to be picked up by early October - possibly somewhere in VA.

Check out these other Blogs on Mail Drops and Advice

Postal Advice for Mail Drops
What Goes Into Mail Drops
AT Grocery Listing of Good Stores 

Why Read This Appalachian Trail Book?

I’ve been on some amazing journeys in my life. Journeys of living as a wife and mom as well as a writer and hiker. Journeys of the heart. Journeys of a physical kind, like hiking the Appalachian Trail both north and south, one of the few women to have done it (and maybe the only one in my age group).

But the journey of having one’s adventure retold in a book for others to enjoy is one that goes beyond description. For me it is the new release of my book Mountains, Madness, & Miracles – 4000 Miles along the Appalachian Trail.

Yes, there are many, many books on the AT out there. But this one is different. 

And here are the differences-  

First off, it’s a double journey. North and South. You will see the Appalachian Trail from both viewpoints as I trek it. No other single book gives this perspective.     

Second, I did it northbound with my teenage son. Besides my viewpoint, you also get HIS viewpoint in the book as a couch potato and a young man who hiked little, and when he did so, begrudgingly. On day one he believed we'd just turn around and go home. Yet he accomplished the entire trail and with his mother, no less. Find out how he did it from his perspective. (Great for teens)

Third, this book is not a retelling of journal entries. We take the challenges we faced, the people we met, the events that transpired and through them, discover lessons about life, love, and the spiritual connection. For us the journey was a spiritual awakening. Now you may not be one into spiritual things, but there is so much more the book offers that we believe it can help make your hiking dreams come true.

Fourth, I have published over twenty fiction books, but this is my first nonfiction work. And I believe it is the most powerful book I have ever written. Why? It is not a fictional account. All this really did happen. And the madness and miracles happened, too.

Fifth, I pay tribute to humanity. I had people in my family as well as complete strangers do things that goes beyond the mere written word. I wanted to pay tribute to human kindness, which we need in this day in age where selfishness seems to reign supreme sometimes.

Lastly, I talk about God in it. God is important to me. Just as other things of a spiritual nature may be important to others, this book points to a Creator who cares about the small things. Who is not just looking at wars, tragedies, illnesses, the big stuff. But who also cared about a journey a mother and son undertook to hike some 2,000 miles. This book tells of those events. No matter what we are doing, what we face, what we endure, what we suffer, what makes us happy, the big or the small, He cares.

But don't take my word for it. After all, I like telling about my adventures. What others are saying:

Jennifer Pharr Davis who holds the record for the fastest supported AT hike and author of Called Again:  "Mountains, Madness, and Miracles proves that every journey is filled with providence and grace if we know where to look for it."

Bill Irwin, the first blind hiker to complete the Appalachian Trail with his guide dog and author of Blind Courage: "You must read this great and inspiring book. It will literally change your life!"

Paul Stutzman, thru hiker and author of Hiking Through: "This book explains in vivid detail what it takes to accomplish such a life-changing adventure. The pain, the emotions, and the spiritual applications will keep you turning the pages."



I hope you enjoy Madness, Mountains, and Miracles – 4000 Miles along the Appalachian Trail. And feel free to drop me a line about it.

Available now on Paperback and Amazon Kindle.  

From WhiteFire Publishing

  

Good Grocery Stores Appalachian Trailside

To supplement the mail drop list I decided to include this listing of towns with larger grocery stores where you can buy food that might fit your different needs on a long distance backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. 


Hiawasee, NC

Franklin, NC

Robbinsville, NC (Before the Smokies. They will shuttle from the Hike Inn)

Erwin, TN

Pearisburg, VA

Daleville, VA

Waynesboro, VA

Front Royal, VA

Take a bus to Charles Towne Wal Mart from Harper's Ferry (schedules at the ATC center)

Waynesboro, PA (need hitch)

Duncannon, PA (usually they offer rides from the Hotel as the walk there is dangerous)

Port Clinton (new Wal Mart there as well as a Chinese Buffet)

Palmerton, PA

Vernon, NJ (try to get a ride from the Farmer's Market, hitching is illegal in NJ)

Kent, CT

Salisbury, CT is ok (but expensive)

North Adams, MA

Bennington, VT if you can get a hitch, but it's a haul. 


Manchester Center, VT (need a hitch)


Rutland, VT (take a bus)

Hanover, NH (the co op is there right on the trail, real cool but pricey)

Lincoln, NH (need a hitch)

Gorham, NH (can hitch from Pinkham Notch and  where the AT crosses out of the Carter / Moriah Range)

If you can find what you need at Dollar General type stores then there is no need for drops or extra food at Hot Springs, Damascus and Bland.

Southbound vs Northbound Part III - Outfitters and Resupply (Food, Fuel, and Gear)

My son, Paul Bunyan, hangs out at one of our resupply points NOBO in '07 - the Post Office at Unionville, NY

Resupply options vary greatly northbound vs southbound. Which is why its better if you have a good plan and a good trail guide to help you out. I used the ALDHA (Appalachian Trail Long Distance Hikers) companion to assist with my resupply points both north and south. AWOL makes a popular guide AT Hiker Guide for both northbund and southbound editions. It contains the data needed for resupply along with small maps of towns to help plan. Most of all it lets you know where to get off to buy food, fuel, gear etc. Its crucial to have a guide like this and to spend some time looking it over, especially in the beginning of a hike, to help you in that first week you are out and getting used to the rigors of daily trail life. Once you become trail-hardened in all aspects AT-wise, resupply will come natural.

I did a combination of buying food and resupplying via maildrops. You can read my blog on what I put into maildrops and places where you might need them (see the related blog listing below). I used about the same amount of hiker mail drops also for my southbound hike, with the exception of a few places. I found it easier to have someone back home do my thinking for me with regards to food, so when I arrived in town I could relax and enjoy my time off rather than spend bunches of time hitching for a ride or at the store trying to figure out food options for five days of trail. But I also liked to have cheese, fresh bread, and other food stuffs fresh from the store. Check out this blog about the hiker food choices I did bring.

So what are the options for resupply both in food, fuel, and gear? 

Southbound

Southbounders need to be more self sufficient as the options for resupply and outfitters are fewer and far between. They are faced with the 100 mile wilderness, but there are options for food and for gear resupply if you need it.

 White House Landing is the choice for many hikers after they leave Abol Bridge (which itself has a small grocery store). WHL caters to hikers with a resupply store, lodging and food. You can also mail home excess gear here. But it is not cheap. After all, its out in the middle of nowhere, across a lake,and requires a water taxi (which they provide). So expect to pay $$ while you are here. Another option if you have gear issues is to hitch a ride out a Gulf Hagas (there is a parking lot there and day hikers are usually in abundance esp on weekends) to the town of Greenville, Maine that has two outfitters (one is pretty good) a motel, and a great restaurant with the best broasted chicken. Hitching back to the trail can be a bit of an issue though, and it also requires a small fee to access the logging roads, payable at the entrance station. But if you are having gear issues, (we had some last year with broken water pumps and in need of Aqua Mira) this is an option unless you can wait until Monson. Shaws in Monson does have a small hiker store also, but call ahead to see what they have in stock (they usually carry fuel canisters, socks, some hydration, etc). They are also equipped to shuttle you to the larger outfitter in Greenville if you need it or you can hitch.

Other good towns to resupply farther along in Maine are Stratton and Rangeley. Caratunk has a post office where you can send yourself a mail drop (as long as it remains open, check your AT guides for updates). Some elect to go to Northern Outdoors for food, etc, but this requires a hitch. There is a small grocery store down the road from the resort, but I found it had little when I was there. So a mail drop is a good option, and the postmistress there was hiker-friendly.

Once you hit Gorham, NH resupply gets easier, and you can pretty much rely on the guidebook for town resupply options. However with rumors of post offices possibly closing like in Glencliff, NH, a mail drop to the Hiker Welcome Hostel  will work to get you to Hanover. There are outfitters at Gorham (limited gear), Pinkham Notch (limited), Lincoln, Hanover, Killington, Rutland, Manchester Center (a good one and a great hostel, Green Mountain House run by Jeff. Be sure to stop here). A small outfitter exists in Kent but with mixed reviews. Your next best place for an outfitter after that is Delaware Water Gap. Then Cabelas at Port Clinton (NOTE - at Port Clinton, PA there is a big Wal mart and a buffet place. Good spot now to resupply). Then Harper's Ferry. And so on. My favorite outfitter is Rockfish Gap Outfitters at Waynesboro, VA. They are well known too for warranty issues. So be sure to stop here and tell them Blissful sent you! From there on outfitters and town stops abound. Check your guides for where they are at. However, as late fall approaches, some services that cater to NOBO hikers are closing up for the season. Like shuttle providers and even small grocery stores (like the one at NOC which closes by early November). So plan accordingly.

Northbound

Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap, GA. The trail goes right through it.

Northbound has it much easier in the resupply route early on. Services such as stores, hostels, shuttle providers, etc cater to the northbound hiker with start dates at Springer Mtn from late Feb through April. Resupply is not an issue if you have a guidebook to know where they are. Just three days after Springer is a full service outfitter Mountain Crossings to help with your gear needs. They also accept mail drops and do have food for sale. After that, there are eager providers to help the needy hiker. Outfitters are modestly spaced out, usually good enough to obtain a fuel canister if you use it among other things. There is an outfitter in Gatlinburg, a great one in Hot Springs, and in Johnson City from Erwin if you get a hitch. Damascus has 2. Daleville has an outfitter right beside a huge Kroger grocery store (best of both worlds). Then Waynesboro's great outfitter and so on northward (see Southbound above). Towns are readily available about every four days.  And lodging options abound. And don't forget either, whether you go north or south, the great delis and hot dog stands of New York, a highlight of my hike as far as culinary lunches.

North or South, you can find what you need with a little planning.

Related Blogs:

What Goes in Maildrops
Maildrop List for the Appalchian Trail
Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail on a Budget

Southbound vs Northbound Part II - The Social Aspects

Day One on the Approach Trail to Springer Mtn, GA March 5, 2007

Yes, there is nothing like the solitude of a wilderness experience. The flora. The fauna. The views. The fresh air. The ability to leave homes and cities, and smog and Internet and live free with just a backpack and a few bare essentials.

But there are people.

Yes, the trail is still filled with people. People of all walks of life. People on the trail, at the shelters, in the hostels, in towns, on the roads. Thru hikers, sectioners, day hikers, weeekenders, townsfolk, trail angels, hostel providers, shuttlers. The variety is endless. And so are the contacts one makes.

Tents abound in thru hiking season come late March.

I believe the social aspects is what sets the Appalachian Trail apart from more remote regions where trails wander without a soul in sight for days on end. Not to say you won't ever be alone on the AT. You will be, whether going north or south. But there is definitely a difference in social living in a NOBO vs SOBO hiking experience. And things one might consider if you are pondering NOBO vs SOBO. If you lean toward being a social bird and like social things OR if you are one of solitude and want to experience trail life with just yourself as company. I have done both and came away with different experiences.

SOBO Hikers that Began July 1 or late June gather at Antlers Campground in the 100 Mile Wilderness, July, 2010

Going Southbound (SOBO)

Hikers heading southbound have a narrow window of opportunity if they plan to hike the whole trail. Depending on weather on Katahdin in Maine, the northern terminus, hikers can start anywhere from late May to mid July with most heading out between June 15th and July 1 for optimal season conditions and to avoid snow down south. Southbounders are also faced with difficult challenges right off the bat - the most difficult parts of the trail in the first six weeks of hiking and little in the way of resupply, refreshing or even changing out gear. Hikers come in as newbies without trail legs and must hike the toughest parts of the trail where most say 90% of the work remain. And this is bound to cut down on the social aspects of the trail as hikers start to fall behind, drop out, etc. We happened to leave on a popular start date - July 1 and were in with a bunch of SOBOers all throughout the 100 mile wilderness. Some of the NOBOS we ran into in southern Maine were blown away by our contingent. But the group quickly dissipated soon afterwards as the toughness of terrain seeped in. People's mileage varies as does their desire to stay in the few towns that exist in Maine. When I began in July, by the time I reached NH (and having to get off a week myself for family issues) I was alone going Southbound by August. There were a few ahead of me. Some behind. The ones that began in June were way ahead. But I was on my own. And I remained that way throughout my hike with only occasional sightings of fellow SOBOers in my travels. I did run into Northbounders up until Vermont. But they were all giddy with their miles behind them, and I was in the beginning of my task, so to speak. They were of a different mindset, and I could not relate to them per say.

Trail services were also different for the SOBOer. Everything is geared toward the Northbound hiker. The stores, the hostels. Many were closing up by the time I got there or were closed, including shuttle services. And very little in the way of Trail Magic (where thoughtful folks leave food and fluid at times for hikers at road crossings). People were wondering why I was out there when no one else was. It was a one on one experience for sure. Especially after September when most hikers were back at jobs and schools and sectioners began to drop off (there were a lot of sectioners in September and early October, but again, all were going north. It was my observation that no one hikes south.). I was alone many times at shelter areas or campsites. It was just part of the Southbound experience.

I would definitely say if solitude and independence without support is your key, then Southbound is the way to go.

Going Northbound (NOBO)

If social activities, friends, etc is the rule for you on a long distance hike, then you must go north. Everything is geared toward the NOBO thru hiker. All the stores, the hostels, the shuttles, the trail magic is out there to enjoy. You really have no excuse in the over and abundance of support to keep this hike going, because support is everywhere. And so too are crowded shelters and hostels, and sometimes even services. Though when I did the trail starting in early March, I came through many of the towns before the main onslaught of hikers (which is usually March 15 to April 1st).

If you want a friend to hike with, going North it's easy to find one. And many times the first day or two. See the initial picture at the beginning of this blog and the two hikers we met up with on day one of the Approach Trail on March 5th (without even setting foot on the AT itself). Though a few times my son and I did eventually find ourselves alone on the hike north (mainly in PA). We spent very few nights alone in a shelter (I think three maybe?). And even if there aren't thru hikers, sectioners are out in full force in summer. We had sectioners with us throughout NJ and NY into CT and beyond. And made some great friends. For some reason everyone hikes the trail north. And so there is little trouble with having an active social life, if you want one.

There you have it. The trail is a slice of the good life. As is the great people you meet along the way. And whether north or south, it's a great place to be.


Other Related Blog:

Part Three of the Series - Outfitters and Resupply
Observations of a Two Week Appalachian Trail Start

Southbound vs Northbound Part 1 The Beginning...

Beginning the AT Southbound, via the Abol Slide Trail, at Baxter State Park, Maine 2010

Welcome to a series of blogs on Southbound (SOBO) vs Northbound (NOBO) Appalachian Trail hikes. Since I have done both, I felt it a good idea to share some thoughts about each area that I hiked, as well as gear selections, food, prep, the trail itself, etc. It is hoped this will help interested hikers make informed decisions with regards to planning a southbound vs northbound attempt and ensure an adventuresome and exciting experience.

Whether ending or finishing, Katahdin in Baxter State Park in Maine is king of the Appalachian Trail. And it acts like one. It makes its own rules, has its own weather patterns, is unpredictable but yet grand. The rules in Baxter State Park can be confusing for both NOBO and SOBO hikers. For the hiker starting their grand adventure at this peak, there are a few rules one must follow. Baxter does have a backpacker's campsite (the Birches), but it is reserved ONLY for hikers who have completed at least the 100 mile wilderness. And normal SOBO hikers don't fall into that category. So the SOBO hiker must reserve a campsite at Katahdin Stream before and after their summit hike.

I found the reservation process quite smooth and without any hitches. Although they recommend reserving your campsite far in advance, I noticed plenty of sites still available only a few short weeks before my July 1st start (and near the big July 4th holiday, which was surprising). Not to say you shouldn't plan early, as you should. But it is not that arduous a process. You mail in your required forms, and they promptly issue a return form in the mail with the reservation set. Make sure you have this form on your person when you enter the park as they will check it at the entrance station and again at your campsite. Here is a link to Baxter State Park for all its rules and the reservation process. You can also check availability of sites. I used a walk-in site at Katahdin Stream myself, but they also have lean-tos. Also, new for 2014, they have extended their campsie season,including the Birches, for all you late comers.

We found it a more interesting experience taking a different trail up to the peak instead of hiking the Hunt Trail (which is the official AT route) both up and down. We took the Abol Slide Trail up (you need to get a short hitch from Katahdin Stream campsite to this trailhead) and came down the Hunt Trail (located right at Katahdin Stream). (Update NOTE- Abol Slide Trail Will be closed for 2014 season!) It cannot be overemphasized that for a hiker not in condition (which SOBOs are not, let's face it) this is a very difficult day. We had weather too on the mountain with fierce wind and sleet pellets. It took us a total of 10 hours to make the circuit hike (yes, that was a long time for us). But allow yourself plenty of time for the hike. Get out early. Be sure to have cold weather gear even in July, including rain gear, in your day pack (unless it is perfectly clear out. Though we had clear weather at the bottom, but Katahdin had its own cloud at top. Weather blows in fast). You will be very tired after this hike, even carrying a daypack (which you can pick up at the ranger station the night before. Get yours early as some of the condition of the daypacks leave much to be desired). You will likely be pretty sore also. So take it easy for a few days afterwards as you head south until your muscles have a chance to recover and heal. Before you leave Katahdin Stream, the rangers allow you to leave your garbage at the ranger station. They really are hiker friendly in the park. The next day we did 10 miles through Baxter State Park and stayed at the paid campsite at Abol Bridge and glad we did. They are hiker friendly there also and had nice sites they hold for backpackers. With showers, a campstore, and a pretty pond, it made for a nice beginning. Take it easy for a few days after that. Soon your muscles will feel better.

Our start at the Approach Trail at Amicalola Falls State Park, March 5, 2007

A return in 2013.

For those starting their trek NOBO at Amicalola Falls State Park, there also needs to be some planning. But there are no backpacking reservations to be had. There is a free shelter right behind the visitor center at the state park where you can stay before starting your hike up the Approach Trail (which, by the way is not the AT but a trail that goes roughly nine miles to the start of the AT on Springer Mountain). Many hikers also choose to stay at the Hiker Hostel run by Josh and Leigh Saint. They offer thru hiker rates, a bed, breakfast, and transportation to the trailhead. If you come by bus or plane, they can often pick you up with prior arrangements. They accept mail drops of gear and fuel can also be mailed there (check with them to see if they carry your type of fuel in stock). If you are sectioning, you can leave a car at the park at the lot across from the visitor center. Like Kathadin, there is an approach trail to the summit of Springer Mt where the AT officially starts. There are also easier ways to summit Springer, such as taking a drive up to a parking lot just a mile shy of the summit and starting there (and I met hikers that did do just that). But I believe that a true approach of hiking to the starting point of your grand AT adventure puts you right into the spirit of the hike and gets it off on a good footing. Besides, although the stairs are steep, the route by the falls is awesome.

Amicalola Falls

You feel like you have already accomplished something by hiking to it rather than taking an "easy" way to the initial start. Its a good morale booster. It gives you a good feeling when, at the end of a tiring day (or rainy day as I had), you can stand on Springer, look at the first White Blaze, and say, "Here I am. The first white blaze of my long trek northward. And I'm ready to do it!"

The hike up the Approach Trail will take you all day also, but it is certainly not the rigorous ascent that one faces SOBO at Katahdin. Nor is there any descent to speak of. You will still be sore, granted. But it is much easier in the woods of Georgia, without weather extremes and hazards. It's a gentler way to start. But still interesting and full of excitement, to be sure.

Other posts in the series:

Northbound vs Southbound Part II The Social Aspects

Northbound vs Southbound Part III Outfitters and Resupply