Updates

The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion provides details on towns and services along the Trail. Updates to the 2010 edition are outlined here. Please send suggested updates and corrections to info@appalachiantrail.org.

The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion is available for sale through the Ultimate A.T. Store and at the ATC visitor centers.

Updated: 03/19/10

Georgia

(Page 18) Hiawassee Inn has re-opened (update) -  Under new ownership, the Hiawassee Inn has been re-opened as the Hiawassee Budget Inn.  Dogs are allowed with deposit.  Prices/services same as listed in current Companion.  (Posted 03/15/10)

North Carolina

(Page 21) Direction to town of Franklin incorrect (correction) - In the table row for Winding Stair Gap, US 64 - Franklin, NC, the Services column indicates the wrong direction to reach Franklin.  Correct direction is Trail east.  Services entry should read "R, w (E - 10m PO, G, M, L, O, D, V, cl, f, @)".  (Posted 12/31/09)

(Page 29) Fontana Dam post office change in retail hours (update) - Hours are 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM (no lunch break), closed on Saturday.  However, a staff member will be putting mail in PO boxes between 10:30 AM and 12:00 noon on Saturday mornings.  This staff member may be able to give out hiker packages if the hiker knocks on the door.  The staff member may also be able to accept packages to send out, but payment must be in cash.  (Posted 12/31/09)

North Carolina and Tennessee Border

(Page 37) Dudley Creek Plaza motel in Gatlinburg (new listing) - $15-25/night depending on room; pets ok with additional fee.  All rooms have cable TV, fridge, and microwave; some have kitchenette. Nearby laundromat and pizza place; easy walk to Gatlinburg post office. On Gatlinburg Trolley Line, which provides access to shopping and Great Smoky Mountains NP.  Maildrops accepted.  Phone: (865) 277-7616, cell (865) 621-8786.  Address: 804 E. Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738.  (Posted 12/31/09)

(Page 41) Low Gap mileage correction - Towards the bottom of the table on page 41, correct mileages are as follows (miles from Katahdin/miles from Springer):  Spring, 1,824.3/354.8; Low Gap, 1823.3/355.8.  (Posted 02/01/10)

TENNESSEE

(Page 56) Abby's Place hostel updates - Hostel has no TV. Contact address (no maildrops) is PO Box 185, Roan Mountain, TN 37687.  (Posted 12/31/09)

(Page 56) Laurel Fork Lodge CLOSED - Hostel has closed permanently.  If sending maildrops to this point, suggested alternative is Kincora Hiking Hostel located 0.2 mile west of A.T. (see Kincora entry in Companion).  (Posted 03/03/10)

Virginia - Part 1 (Southwest)

(Page 67) Clarified directions from Dickey Gap to Troutdale (update) - After turning Trail east on VA 650 to reach the intersection of VA 650 and VA Rt. 16, turn right on Rt. 16 to reach the town of Troutdale.  (Companion entry does not specify the right turn.)  (Posted 12/31/09)

Virginia - Part 2 (CENTRAL)

(Page 81) Shuttler Tom Hoffman phone number (correction) - Area code in printed Companion is incorrect; Tom's correct number is (540) 921-1184.  (Posted 12/31/09)

(Page 81) Holy Family Church Hostel corrections/updates - $10 per night fee; additional donations are appreciated.  Stove has been removed.  Side trail to Wal-Mart no longer exists due to recent development; hikers must now follow streets to reach store.  Phone number in printed Companion is incorrect; correct number is (540) 921-3547.  (Posted 12/31/09)

(Page 82) The Huffman House B&B corrections/updates - 2010 rates are $129 - $159D, $20 EAP.  Correct address is 16 Huffman Store Dr., Newport, VA  24128.  (Posted 02/17/10)

(Page 88) The Rhein River Inn and German Restaurant in Buchanan (new listing) - Bed and breakfast with full service German restaurant located at 19391 Main Street (U.S. Rt. 11) in Buchanan. Phone (540) 254-2455; website www.therheinriverinn.com.  Ask about special hiker rates.  Shuttles to/from local trailheads available upon request.  No tent camping or pets permitted.  (Posted 12/31/09)

(Page 88) Middle Creek Picnic Area: no well water (update) - Well at picnic area is no longer functional.  (Posted 12/31/09)

(Page 91) Walkabout Outfitter no longer sells white gas by the ounce (update).  (Posted 12/31/09)

(Page 92) Dutch Haus B&B phone number (correction) - Toll-free number in printed Companion is incorrect; correct number is (540) 377-2119.  (Posted 12/31/09) 

(Page 93) Rusty's Hard Times Hollow closed - Rusty Nesbitt has closed the hostel indefinitely.  (Posted 02/22/10)

WEST VIRGINIA

(Page 120) Ariano's King's Pizza now open Mondays (update) - Formerly closed on Mondays, Kings Pizza is now open seven days a week.  (Posted 12/31/09)

(Page 122) ATC Headquarters building water faucet (update) - ATC HQ now has an outdoor frost-free water faucet available to hikers.  Faucet located on side wall facing Storer College Place.  (Posted 12/31/09)

Maryland

(Page 125) Cindy Dee's Restaurant closed (update) - Restaurant has closed and is currently for sale.  (Posted 02/01/10)

(Page 126) Frost-free faucet at Dahlgren Campground shut off (update) - South Mountain SP has shut off the frost-free water faucet at the Dahlgren Backpacker Campground for the duration of the winter.  Water service will re-established when bathhouse is opened in April.  Next closest frost-free faucet is located two miles north at Washington Monument SP.  (Posted 02/01/10)  

PENNSYLVANIA

(Page 134) Applebee Campsite near Pilger Ruh Spring (correction) - At 994.2 miles from Katahdin, entry in table should read "Applebee Campsite, Pilger Ruh Spring Trail."  Campsite is a short distance Trail west of the A.T.; spring is to the east.  (Posted 02/01/10) 

(Page 140) Pay phone removed from ATC office porch (update) - Pay phone no longer available at the ATC Mid-Atlantic Regional Office in Boiling Springs.  (Posted 12/31/09)

New York

(Page 170) Gear to Go Outfitter serving New York A.T. section (new listing) - Gear to Go Outfitters, (917) 301-8238, www.geartogooutfitters.com. Based in Brooklyn, but will deliver to anywhere on the A.T. in New York for free.  Offers both sales and rentals.  (Posted 12/31/09)

CONNECTICUT

(Page 176) Water Street/Hydroelectric Plant mileage errors (correction) - Both mileages for this point contain typos.  Miles from Katahdin column should read 697.3; miles from Springer should read 1481.0.  (Posted 12/31/09) 

Massachusetts

Archived Updates for previous years

2009 Companion Updates (pdf)

2008 Companion Updates (pdf)

2007 Companion Updates (pdf)

What is the Companion?

Compiled, written, and edited for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy by volunteers of the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association (ALDHA), the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion provides details on towns and services along the Trail. The Companion is intended for those making thru-hikes but also is valuable for those taking shorter section-hikes. You can order the current Companion from the Ultimate A.T. Store.