Updates

The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion provides details on towns and services along the Trail. Updates to the 2009 edition are outlined here. Please send suggested updates and corrections to editor@appalachiantrail.org.

The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion is available for sale through the Ultimate A.T. Store.

Updated: 10/10/09

Georgia

(Page 17) Cloud9 Hostel at Upper Hightower Trout Farm closed (update) - Hostel has closed permanently.  (Posted 02/11/09)

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 02/11/09)

(Page 30) Fontana Dam post office change in retail hours (update) - As of February 21, the retail counter at the Fontana Dam post office will be closed on Saturdays.  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 will not be able to accept packages to send out.  (Posted 02/25/09)

(Page 30) Fontana General Store shuttle price change (update) - Price for shuttle to/from Fontana Marina has increased to $3.00 each way.  (Posted 04/09/09)

(Page 30) New showers at Fontana Dam Shelter restroom (update) - Hot showers have recently been added to the restroom located at Fontana Dam Shelter.  (Posted 04/09/09)

North Carolina and Tennessee Border

(Page 46) Allen Gap water source (update) - Formerly "reliable piped spring" has gone dry.  (Posted 07/02/09)

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 04/13/09)

Virginia - Part 1 (Southwest)

(Page 69) 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 02/25/09)

(Page 74) Woods Hole Hostel contact info and season update - Website: www.woodsholehostel.com.  Email: woodsholehostel@gmail.com.  Phone: (540) 921-3444.  Hostel will be open year round starting April 20, 2009.   (Posted 03/18/09)

Virginia - Part 2 (CENTRAL)

(Page 82) Holy Family Church Hostel phone number (correction) - Phone number in printed Companion is incorrect; correct number is 540 921-3547.  (Posted 04/22/09)

(Page 87) Troutville Travelodge changes (update) - Hiker rate $35 D for 1-2 persons, $5 EAP. Free full hot breakfast buffet, swimming pool, guest laundry service will be available by July 1.  (Posted 06/03/09)

(Page 87) Troutville Comfort Inn changes (update) - "Hiker-corporate" rate has increased to $49.99 for 1-2 persons, $5 EAP (max. four per room).  $25 extra fee for pets.  Will hold USPS/UPS packages for incoming guests.   (Posted 06/03/09)

(Page 90) Middle Creek Picnic Area: no well water (update) - Well at picnic area is no longer functional.  (Posted 09/16/09)

(Page 93) Walkabout Outfitter no longer sells white gas by the ounce (update).  (Posted 07/02/09)

(Page 94) Dutch Haus B&B phone number (correction) - Toll-free number in printed Companion is incorrect; correct number is (540) 377-2119.  (Posted 10/20/09) 

WEST VIRGINIA

(Page 122) Spend a Night Inn and Battlefield General Store closed (update) - Both of these establishments have closed permanently.  (Posted 05/05/09)

(Page 122) Ariano's King's Pizza now open Mondays (update) - Formerly closed on Mondays, Kings Pizza is now open seven days a week.  (Posted 03/18/09)

(Page 123) Pan Tran bus fare increase (update) - One-way fare for Harpers Ferry-to-Walmart route has increased to $2.50.  (Posted 04/22/09)

(Page 123) 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 04/28/09)

MARYLAND

(Page 130) New Raven Rock Shelter NOT open yet (correction) - Although listed as open in the 2009 Companion, the Raven Rock Shelter has NOT been completed and is not yet open for use.  The existing Devils Racecourse Shelter (0.3 mi Trail east) will remain open until the Raven Rock Shelter is completed.  PATC plans to have the new shelter completed by late summer.  (Posted 04/28/09)

PENNSYLVANIA

(Page 143) Pay phone removed from ATC office porch (update) - Pay phone no longer available at the ATC Mid-Atlantic Regional Office in Boiling Springs.  (Posted 03/24/09)

(Page 144) Boiling Springs service updates - Both JC's Country Time Café and The Forge Sandwich Shop have closed.  Admission to the Boiling Springs pool has increased to $9.75.  (Posted 04/08/09)

(Page 147) Phone number for Mary Parry (correction) - Phone number for "Trail Angel Mary" in printed Companion is incorrect; correct number is (717) 834-4706.  (Posted 05/27/09)

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 06/03/09)

(Page 171) Arden Post Office closed (update) - The post office at Arden, NY (0.7 mi. W of NY Rt. 17 crossing) recently closed.  Suggested alternate post office is Southfields, NY 10975, located 2.1 miles east (compass south) on NY Rt. 17.  (Posted 07/24/09)

CONNECTICUT

(Page 180) 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 03/19/09) 

Massachusetts

(Page 203) Mt. Greylock access roads and Bascom Lodge (update) - Both roads (Rockwell and Notch) have now reopened; summit is accessible to vehicles through November 1.  Bascom Lodge is under new management and plans to reopen the first week of July.  Lodge can be reached at (413)743-1591; website is bascomlodge.net.  (Posted 06/17/09)

Vermont

(Page 216) Green Mountain House in Manchester Center (new listing) - Jeff and Regina Taussig host hikers at their residence.  Reservations required -- call (330) 388-6478. Open July 5 through Sept. 7.  Jeff and Regina offer a bed, shower with towel, laundry, high speed internet, full hiker kitchen, and shuttles from town and back to the Trail.  Not a party place; no drugs or alcohol.  $15 per night suggested donation.  (Posted 06/23/09)

(Page 220) Whistle Stop Corner Restaurant (update) - Restaurant is open six days a week; closed Mondays.  (Posted 07/15/09)

(Page 223) Distance to Pittsfield, VT (correction) - From VT Rt. 100, the correct distance to the town of Pittsfield is 6.0 miles west. (Posted 06/03/09)

MAINE

(Page 270) Pay phone rate at Abol Bridge (correction) - Rates for the pay phone at Linda's Store are $1.00 per 3 minutes for out-of-state calls, 50 cents for local calls.  (Posted 06/03/09)

2008 Companion Updates (pdf)

2007 Companion Updates (pdf)

2006 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.