|
 In
1921, Benton MacKaye proposed a system of trails along the Appalachian Mountain
range. His idea eventually became what is today's Appalachian Trail. MacKaye
also envisioned a system of feeder trails that would bring hikers from across
the region to hike the AT. It took 58 years for a group of hikers and
trail maintainers to also recognize the need for this trail network and do
something about it.
In 2005,
26 years of hard work and persistence later, they completed a part of that dream
with the opening of the Benton MacKaye Trail. A new long distance trail
was created, honoring the memory of the father
of the Appalachian Trail. His name is bestowed on nearly 300 miles of
pristine Appalachian wilderness hiking.
The Benton MacKaye Trail starts on the top of Springer Mountain, Georgia, 0.2 miles north of the
Southern Appalachian Trail Terminus. From there, it
tracks generally west of the Appalachian Trail for approximately 200 miles
before crossing it again in the Smokies. During those 200 miles, the BMT crosses over tall mountains
5,000' above sea level and dips as low as 765' at the Hiwassee River in Reliance, TN. Once it crosses the AT in the Smokies,
the BMT continues to the Eastern side of the park, eventually finishing at
Davenport Gap.
|
"For we need this thing
wilderness far more than it needs us."
-Benton MacKaye on the preservation of
wilderness, 1933. |
 |
During this
passage, the BMT strives to give the backpacker a more remote wilderness
experience than it's big brother the Appalachian Trail. Nearly 2/3 of the trail passes through designated wilderness
areas and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. During this nearly 300 mile
route, the trail has only three shelters. Many of these miles are not blazed and
there are few, if any, trail structures.
If a new wilderness experience is what you are out to find,
then the Benton MacKaye is waiting for you. The intent of this guide is to
help long distance backpackers and section hikers successfully enjoy hiking the
Benton MacKaye Trail. I also aim to preserve the feeling of wilderness and
maintain the possibility that hikers still have something to discover.
I've done my best to balance providing hikers with the tools they need to safely
hike the BMT without describing every step of the trail. My hope is that you
enjoy what the BMT has to offer as much as I do. I am sure you will find
in this guide exactly what you need and wish you happy trails on the BMT.
* Hikers attempting the Great East Coast Trail will also find this
guide valuable as it describes the trail that links the Pinhoti Trail to the
Appalachian Trail.
Benton MacKaye Trail Guide © 2009-2022 Ernest Engman. All Rights
Reserved. Hiking H.Q. PO Box 5031 Oak Ridge, TN, 37830 |
