2190: Day Hiking the Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail (AT) is a roughy 2,200 mile hiking trail that runs along the east coast from Springer Mountain in Georgia, to Mount Katahdin in Maine, crossing over 14 states along the way. While there are casual day hikers on any given part of this trail, its claim to fame are the thruhikers, who complete the entire trail in one long stretch. Each year, however, it’s estimated that around 2 million people complete at least one day hike on the AT, yet little to no resources exist for these hikers. This project hopes to change that! 2190 Miles: Day Hiking the Appalachian Trail serves as a resource for experienced and new hikers alike who are interested in getting out on the AT, through a series of day hiking guides. Each portable guide, which also serves as a journal to record trail dates and experiences, covers a portion of the AT, allowing users to find local hikes while learning about the history of the trail. The use of illustrations and lettering throughout the guides and supporting materials, reminiscent of carved trail signs and hand painted blazes, highlight the friendly and familiar nature of the trail itself, while showcasing the unique plant species across each state. The minimal layout of information across the guides makes trail navigation easy and fun for every hiker. The Appalachian Trail has such a great history, and the goal of this project is for more people to learn about and appreciate it!