[at-l] Ocoee

[shellydhale at earthlink.net (Shelly Hale)]

Skylander,

Check out the BMT website... http://www.bmta.org/ Lots of good info on the BMT here.

There currently isn't a "shelter system" on the BMT.  But, I would say that it will probably be in the future of this hidden treasure.  There is a book on hiking the BMT by Tim Homan called Hiking the Benton MacKaye Trail.  For more information on this book you can go to ... http://www.peachtree-online.com/Adults/Catalog/bentonmackaye.htm  

The concentration of effort towards the trail extension will be the main focus over the next couple of years.  They are hoping to complete it in 2005.  This will provide a wonderful southern loop (using the AT) of approximately 275 miles of trail.  90 miles of that is already in existence, but 85 miles needs to be cleared and established.  Some sections are of old trails that certainly helps out in the project.  However, there are still several miles of sidehill construction that must be completed.  

There are a couple of week long maintenance trips that will be going on that might be of some interest for some of you.  Please make sure to check out the maintenance schedule link.

Yes, the BMT is currently much less traveled than the AT, but that may not stay the same once all of this construction is completed and the entire loop is open.  Well..prolly even before then.

As for myself, I can't wait to get in some solitary time on the BMT!  I hope to see some of you on this trail!

Shelly Hale
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bror8588@aol.com 
  To: shellydhale@earthlink.net ; wolferrae@earthlink.net ; at-l@backcountry.net 
  Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2004 8:03 AM
  Subject: Re: [at-l] Ocoee


  In a message dated 5/25/04 04:06:27 Eastern Daylight Time, shellydhale@earthlink.net writes: 



    On another note, the Benton MacKaye is currently being extended to run all 
    the way to GSMNP and will eventually hook up with the AT there.  


  Does the Benton MacKaye Trail have a "Shelter System" like the AT or is it a trail where hikers set up their own "camps" along the way?  Do Bear pose a problem as they do at Shelters?  Are there hydration opportunities along the trail?   

  I noticed that the Benton MacKaye Trail crossed the AT several times in Georgia.  Does it continue to do that up to the proposed joining in the GSMNP? 

  I imagine that the BMT is less traveled than the AT.  Is that preferable to those who walk it or is that the point of getting into the wilderness -- solitary seclusion? 

  Thanks in advance for the many words of wisdom that I hope will be offered. 

  Skylander