What’s better than a good hike? Not much, IMO. But have you ever taken a guided hike? “I can hike on my own, thanks.” That’s what I was prone to say, anyway.
After taking advantage of a few guided hike opportunities over the years I’m all in. The learning opportunities are tremendous. The camaraderie, the energy, the chance to ask a million questions. It’s all there. Here’s your shot to take advantage of a number of guided hikes on the beautiful Benton McKaye Trail in North Georgia.
If you’re not familiar with the Benton McKaye Trail, it’s an iconic path steeped in history and cool lore. Dave Sherman first conceived of the idea in 1975 as a way to extend the Appalachian Trail past it’s endpoint at Springer Mountain. Extending the trail south was problematic. Sherman eventually landed on a new trail that would run along the high ridge on the Tennessee-North Carolina border between the Smoky Mountains and the Cohutta Mountains in northwest Georgia. The trail then continues east to connect with the AT on Springer Mountain.
Enter the Benton McKaye Trail Association (BMTA). Formed in 1980, this group has been steadfast in creating and maintaining the trail, which, in cooperation with the US Forest Service was finally completed in 2005.
The BMTA is offering a number of free, guided hikes across this iconic trail and beyond.
There are so many great guided hike opportunities, but to give you some idea about what the BMTA has to offer, look no further than the Caney Creek Villiage hike coming up on March 18th. This hike will take you on a tour of a ghost town of sorts that existed between1912 and 1941. Caney Creek had electricity, indoor plumbing, mass transit, a lighted tennis court and a hotel, but alas it is all no more. It’s in the middle of nowhere, abandoned and somewhat hard to get to.
Caney Creek is a moderate 6 mile hike. If that’s too much, don’t let it deter you. The BMTA offers plenty of guided hike opportunities at everything from beginner to intermediate skill levels.
The schedule currently starts now and extends through the end of spring, but keep checking back for more info.
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