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**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · 15h

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/6
September 1, 1983: The trail down the far side of Smarts Mountain was in worse shape than the ascent had been, but what did that matter to a man surrounded by that kind of magnificence? The AT lunged downward across more of those dripping, mossy rocks.

It is late in the afternoon on a rather hazy day. The sky is clear and bright, but also whitewashed. We are standing on a large light gray granite outcrop striated with darker grays high up a mountain. We are looking out above the treetops of a spruce and fir forest towards another lofty mountain, dominating our view with a triangular peak and long ridges descending left and right. Beyond that, more distant ridges cascade to a misty horizon. There are a few green fields and several houses visible in the large valley below us. Most of the valley is covered with forest.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · 1d

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/10
August 24, 1983: A 12:45 start today. I had four major mountains to climb. I would need to average two-and-a-half miles per hour, rest stops included, in order to complete this section by dark.

Standing atop Bromley's lofty summit on a late August early afternoon looking down a wide grassy ski run into a valley far below. Everything except the ski run is heavily wooded, with a few green fields and small buildings visible in the foothills and the valley. Beyond the valley are several other parallel mountain chains, with a few peaks only several hundred feet lower than ours. The sky is a bright clear blue, with one thin line of clouds visible miles away near the horizon. A handful of very small clouds are visible above that line.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · 2d

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/5
June 3, 1983: Of all the mountains I have seen on this hike, Hump is now my favorite.

Standing in a grassy meadow far up the mountainside of lofty Hump Mountain beneath a soft blue sky with hazy clouds. The lush green grass just ahead is interspersed with stalky plants. A handful of shrubs and rock outcrops also break up the green carpet. There are some dark gray rock outcrops to our right as the crest descends into a sag and then climbs over several summits. The crest remains grassy and open most of the way, but the flank of the mountains are wooded.

#backpacking #hiking #landscapephotography

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · 3d

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/4
May 13, 1983: Heading north from Springer Mountain, the tiny unincorporated community of Wesser, North Carolina is the first trail town through which the #AppalachianTrail physically passes. This corner of Wesser is a narrow strip along the floor of the deep, heavily-wooded, steep-walled gorge which the Nantahala River has gouged through the mountains.

#backpacking #hiking #landscapephotography

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · 4d

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/3
July 3, 1983: My final twelve miles today were in Shenandoah. The trail inside the park was well-graded and almost completely cleared of overgrowth. I hiked through dignified old forests of stately trees, following the ridgeline for most of the distance. There were a number of good viewpoints.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors

**BakersRelay** @BakerRL75@m.ai6yr.org · 5d

BakersRelay @BakerRL75@m.ai6yr.org

#SevereWeather #PacificCrestTrail #AppalachianTrail

From CNN.com: Storms tore up two of America’s most iconic trails. Federal cuts have disrupted repairs

https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/06/us/federal-layoffs-hiking-trail-storm-repairs?cid=ios_app

CNN · 5dStorms tore up two of America’s most iconic trails. Federal cuts have disrupted repairsBy Associated Press

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · 5d

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/9
September 13, 1983: After Page Pond, the AT scaled steeply up to Wocket Ledge, where open rock faces just off the trail provided the best southward views I had yet seen in the Mahoosucs.

We are standing on the shore of a large mountain pond looking out between two trees and over some low shrubs. There are large boggy patches of water grass along much of the far shoreline, the lake and bogs are surrounded by a beautiful spruce and fir forest. Two descending wooded ridges come together at a low point near the middle of the far shore, creating an opening through which we can see the tops of a lofty mountain range several miles away. The sky is a deep light blue with a few streaky clouds, except for a line of low clouds running across that mountain range and covering the summits.

#backpacking #hiking #landscapephotography

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · 6d

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/3
August 21, 1983: After a steep scramble up a rockslide, the trail broke out of the forest onto open rocks and ledges along the ridge crest with great views southward across the valley. The neighboring large towns of North Adams and Williamstown spread out below, covering a broad, relatively flat section of that river valley.

We are standing on a rocky ledge atop a mountain, line of trees running down the mountainside to our right. The top tree frames the picture on the right side. The sun is offscreen to our left, washing out that portion of the otherwise soft blue sky with a few thin clouds. We are looking down at a long, broad valley hundreds of feet below. A semicircle of wooded hills and low mountains with a handful of small open green fields surrounds the valley along the far horizon. The visible portion of the valley is mostly green farm fields and broad swaths of trees. There are several small clusters of homes, two of which also have a few larger buildings: schools, churches and commercial buildings. This is part of the small twin cities of North Adams and Williamstown, Massachusetts.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · Apr 4

Apr 4

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/6
June 3, 1983: I slept the sleep of the dead last night, so exhausted I did not wake even for a moment until 6:30 in the morning.

Standing in a long, rolling meadow along a lofty ridge crest beneath a soft blue sky with long, hazy clouds. The ridge crest passes over a series of small knobs as it makes a long descent to a deep gap. There are scattered leafy shrubs, including one just ahead of us, but the vast majority of the crest is a long, grassy meadow until that gap. The flanks of the mountain are wooded. Beyond the gap rises the wooded mountainsides of Roan Mountain. It has several peaks and its entire crest is loftier than the one we are on.

#backpacking #hiking #landscapephotography

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · Apr 3

Apr 3

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/4
May 16, 1983: The rain continued to slacken, finally tapering off by mid-morning. We had a late start to Fontana, but it was only a 7-mile hike. The sun began to break out as we climbed the Yellow Creek Range. The trail was not overly difficult, and the afternoon turned out to be a pleasant one. At one point along the ridge crest, I got a great picture of Fontana Dam

We are standing high atop a mountain. The sun is shining brightly. We are standing beside a flowering tree looking out at other trees covered with small bright green sprouting leaves or white buds. Below us is a valley with a large hydroelectric dam and its lake. The trees below us are intensely green, it is late spring down there. Although we cannot see the sky in this photo, the shadows below tell us it is mostly sunny in and around the valley. Beyond the lake the forested slopes of a towering mountain range rise from the lake, eventually disappearing into a deck of clouds sitting over the mountaintops.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · Apr 2

Apr 2

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/5
October 2, 1983: My first three-and-a-half miles took me through the end of the wilderness. The Appalachian Trail wound through an attractive forest, and it was gentle walking.

We are standing on a hill looking down over the treetops towards a broad river below us. It is raining. The river mirrors the gray sky. The far riverbank is also wooded, but the ridge just beyond is part of an area that was burnt over several years earlier. It is covered with the white charred still-standing trunks of dead trees and some shrub growth. Beyond that ridge are the lower slopes of mountain that quickly disappear into very low clouds. Some of the trees on our riverbank are turning gold or orange. The trees on the opposite bank are a riot of golds, oranges, reds and greens.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · Apr 1

Apr 1

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/5
October 2, 1983: A side trail brought me to Big Niagara Falls (no, the other one). The falls were not enormous (no, that’s the other one), but they were impressive enough, and quite scenic.

The twilight gloom of a rainy day. A roaring stream churns through massive gray and beige rock formations in a lively series of flumes and cascades between forested banks teeming with maples. Red, orange and gold foliage and the bright trunks of white birch trees contrast with the dark green spruce and fir.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · Mar 31

Mar 31

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/4
July 22, 1983: I took my third and final break of the day about four miles past Neys Shelter at Auburn Lookout, the sole viewpoint from the Appalachian Trail all day. It was a rock outcrop hanging high above Port Clinton village and a long curve of the Schuylkill River Valley.

Beneath a deep blue sky with a few streaky clouds, we are standing high atop a mountain looking down into a sprawling valley. The view is framed by tall trees to our right and treetops below us. The valley is almost flat, with a few low hills. Just below us it is cut by a rather wide river with wooded banks that is spanned by a graceful single arch bridge. Just beyond the bridge is a small city with houses, parks and larger buildings. Beyond this city the valley is covered with farm fields and pastures, farm buildings and patches of forest. Some of the small hills are wooded, and there are narrow strips of trees as wind breaks between some of the fields. The air is relatively clear for summer, you can see for miles. A hazy line of mountains rises along the horizon, far in the distance.

#backpacking #hiking #landscapephotography

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · Mar 30

Mar 30

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/6
September 22, 1983: The ascent of Little Bigelow was gradual and the new trail well laid-out. The AT reached the ridgeline of the mountain and traversed a series of rocky knobs, several of which had open ledges. The sun had finally broken through, and the day had turned clear and beautiful. The haze was gone from the air, replaced by a crisp hint of chill.

We are standing on open light gray rock ledges atop a mountain looking over the treetops at a much loftier range of mountains arcing to our left as it stretches into the distance. Its slopes descend towards a valley on our left. There are some rocky patches along the ridge crests and a set of massive gray granite cliffs to the left of the crest as it ascends the nearest mountain. Everything else in the picture is covered with a lush forest consisting mostly of teal colored evergreens, with streaks of hardwoods turning red, gold and orange for autumn. The sky is clear and bright, but a bit hazy and whitewashed. The ledges are covered with pale green and dark green lichen. There are a few stunted spruce and leafy shrubs that have turned brick red or bright gold with autumn.

#backpacking #photography #hiking

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · Mar 29 *

Mar 29 *

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/3
August 16, 1983: The Appalachian Trail followed dirt roads for most of the ensuing five miles to US 7; the final mile or so was on a paved road. I passed through an attractive mixture of farms and woods: green and gold fields of ripening corn, cool, dark forest groves, green pastures dappled with yellow dandelions, some amazing views back towards the Taconics.

Beneath a cloudless deep blue sky a very light beige dirt road passes between two farm fields of tall grass. There are many white flowers growing among the grass just at each side of the road. A corner of a cornfield is just visible far to our left. The fields end at the edge of a forest ahead. Beyond that forest rises a chain of wooded mountains.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · Mar 28

Mar 28

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/6
May 18, 1983: After lunch, the ridge crest was one open grassy meadow after another, with long, lush green grass and clusters of trees in full bud adding pinks, whites and reds.

We are atop a lofty ridge crest walking a footpath bordered with lush green grass through thickets of rhododendron and small leafless trees beneath a bright hazy whitewashed sky. From the peak the trail will descend through a forest of small trees. Some of the treetops are visible around the summit. Most are still leafless, though many are budding. A series of other mountain ranges cascade to the horizon, fading into the haze.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · Mar 27

Mar 27

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/3
May 3, 1983: At a spot called Three Forks, four miles from Springer Mountain, the #AppalachianTrail crossed a fire road beside the convergence of three streams which had become raging torrents. A blinding mass of rain was creating a surreal, semi-aquatic woodland.

Beneath a gray overcast sky, we are on a trail in the middle of a forest of trees that are still leafless. It is very early spring up here, the grass is just beginning to grow on the forest floor. There are a few patches of bare dark soil and numerous fallen leaves from last autumn as well. A dense fog is engulfing everything. An old-fashioned hiking stick is lying in the trail near us: a fallen branch stripped of bark and side branches.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · Mar 26

Mar 26

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/3
Pictured: Pen Mar Park from High Rock.
July 14, 1983: Entering Pen Mar Park was a relief. In the years around 1900, this spot was billed as the Coney Island of the Blue Ridge, with an amusement park, seven hotels and about a hundred boarding houses. After years of slow decline, the park was forced out of business by World War II gas rationing in 1943.

Beneath a soft blue summer sky with hazy white clouds we are atop the crest of Blue Mountain standing on a grassy overlook looking across a dense thicket of shrubs and then the treetops of the forested mountainside below. We are looking north along the wooded ridgeline of Blue Mountain into Pennsylvania, where the mountain becomes more of a mountain range, throwing out impressive spur ridges. To our left is a small wedge of the vast agricultural Cumberland Valley with farms and small villages. Straight ahead on a small plateau partway down the western slope of blue mountain is a large grassy park: Pen Mar County Park in Maryland on the Pennsylvania border.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors

**George Steffanos** @GSteffanos@mstdn.social · Mar 25

Mar 25

George Steffanos @GSteffanos@mstdn.social

1/5
September 24, 1983: From the bank, it all looked so peaceful. Golden sun-drops swirled innocently over foam-flecked blue and soft breezes stirred the pines. The initial fifteen or twenty yards to the gravel bar was almost anticlimactic. The current was strong, but the water was barely ankle-deep.