Benton Mackaye Trail – PMags.com https://pmags.com Practical advice and musings on the outdoors, hiking, backpacking, ski touring, and camping. Wed, 04 Feb 2026 18:45:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://pmags.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/cropped-fav-ico-160x160.jpg Benton Mackaye Trail – PMags.com https://pmags.com 32 32 81463906 A Quick and Dirty Guide to the BMT https://pmags.com/a-quick-and-dirty-guide-to-the-bmt https://pmags.com/a-quick-and-dirty-guide-to-the-bmt#comments Fri, 25 May 2018 21:17:17 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=17884 A Quick and Dirty Guide to the BMT

A thru-hike of the Benton Mackaye Trail is an excellent way to see the beauty of the southern Appalachians without the crowds of the Appalachian Trail. Here's some quick and dirty information about this 300-mile long gem. Read More ...

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]]> https://pmags.com/a-quick-and-dirty-guide-to-the-bmt/feed 11 17884 Return to the hills – 300-miles-on-the-benton-mackaye-trail-2009 https://pmags.com/return-to-the-hills-300-miles-on-the-benton-mackaye-trail-2009 https://pmags.com/return-to-the-hills-300-miles-on-the-benton-mackaye-trail-2009#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:20:15 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=8956 Return to the hills – 300-miles-on-the-benton-mackaye-trail-2009

Paul Magnanti’s 2009 thru-hike of the Benton MacKaye Trail; with journal, photos and trip planning information.

To walk. To see. To see what you see.
–Benton MacKaye on the purpose of the Appalachian   Trail.

In 2009, I became a casualty of the economic recession: I was laid off.

My first thought? What mountains are relatively snow free in February?

My mind wandered and I thought of the Benton MacKaye Trail .

At 300 miles, it is the perfect length to thru-hike before obligations in early March occur.

The BMT meanders through a part of the southern Appalachians that is a bit more isolated and less well traveled than the more famous Appalachian Trail.

During my time on the BMT, I hope to again see the subtle beauty of the southern Appalachians. A land of thick forests, flowing creeks and mist forming over the hill sides.

Continue reading Return to the hills – 300-miles-on-the-benton-mackaye-trail-2009 at PMags.com.

]]> https://pmags.com/return-to-the-hills-300-miles-on-the-benton-mackaye-trail-2009/feed 1 8956 Return to the Hills – 2009 Benton MacKaye Trail Journal https://pmags.com/return-to-the-hills-2009-benton-mackaye-trail-journal https://pmags.com/return-to-the-hills-2009-benton-mackaye-trail-journal#respond Sat, 07 Mar 2009 01:03:02 +0000 http://pmags2.jzapin.com/?p=558 Return to the Hills – 2009 Benton MacKaye Trail Journal

The journal from my 2009 thru-hike of Benton MacKaye Trail. This article also has planing info.

 

  • Photos
  • Journal
  • Overall BMT Impressions
  • Other Resources and Planning Info

Journal

February 6th, 2009 – Colorado

In 2009, I became a casualty of the economic recession: I was laid off.

My first thought? What mountains are relatively snow free in February?

My mind wandered and I thought of the Benton MacKaye Trail .

At 300 miles, it is the perfect length to thru-hike before obligations in early March occur.

The BMT meanders through a part of the southern Appalachians that is a bit more isolated and less well traveled than the more famous Appalachian Trail.

During my time on the BMT, I hope to again see the subtle beauty of the southern Appalachians.

Continue reading Return to the Hills – 2009 Benton MacKaye Trail Journal at PMags.com.

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