I got on a train headed from Albany, New York to Charlottesville, Virginia, on July 14. Then I endeavored to walk home.I followed the Appalachian Trail for two months and approximately 650 miles.

Though the club will put participants to work on other Appalachian Trail projects in the Smokies, getting as many of those 80 logs in the ground as possible will be the day’s priority.

Appalachian Trail in Georgia: Dicks Creek Gap At Dicks Creek trailhead off US-76 near Hiawasee, hikers can choose between a shorter 4-mile loop or a more challenging 11-mile trek.