In Which Lilith Talks About Trail Towns and Magic

Trail Magic

The Appalachian Trail Communities that support hikers are the backbone of the experience. There are so many ways they support the trail and its history. Trail magic is when people in the AT community come onto the trail and gift passing hikers with food and supplies. Passing trail magic is always the highlight of my day and can be game-changing if you are still days from town.

The Cafe Hogpen Angels

The Cafe Hogpen Angels were one of the first trail magic groups Ian and I ran into. The group is hosted by a couple who have been doing trail magic for roughly 10 years. Members of Cafe Hogpen Angels mostly come from a church in Blairsville. The group had a detailed setup, where you can see they thought of everything a hiker would like- from hot water to wash your hands with after hiking in the cold, to a hiker box were you can leave items you don’t need and take ones that you do. They provide homemade meals and wrapped snacks that are convenient for the trail. The group made an effort to pray over each hiker that passed through and talk to them about their experience. When Ian and I passed through, I didn’t have trekking poles. One of the ladies volunteering provided me with one that she had with her. One hand I had a stick, the other a trekking pole. It made a world of difference until I could get mine from the mail.

Hotdog Jesus and His Disciples

The first trail magic we encountered in North Carolina was from Hotdog Jesus and his family (Disciples I like to think). He and his family traveled in a van where they cooked from and provided hikers with french toast and an egg bake. Along with this, he provided snacks, ice cream, and coffee. The team set up less than a mile from a shelter, a considerate spot for hikers to easily stop by before they left for the day. The night before they sat around the shelter fire with the thru hikers. We all talked and listened to each other’s experiences and stories.

Wingin It at Fontana Dam Shelter

The Hero’s Running Wingin’ It

Wingin It was a group of graduated Appalachian Trail through hikers. They understood the needs and experiences that we have and used this knowledge to provide amazing trail magic. Located at the Fontana Dam Shelter, they provided hikers with all-you-can-eat hot dogs and blueberry pancakes. Along with this, they had tubs filled with hiker food and snacks. It was incredible being able to have a conversation with someone who has finished the journey I’m currently on and ask them questions about what I can expect. The whole crew traveled a long way to set up on the Appalachian Trail, and lots of thought had been put into providing this experience. The crew set up Saturday afternoon for dinner and Sunday morning for breakfast, making it a two-day experience hikers could enjoy.

The blueberry pancake and Cheerwine I got Sunday morning 

Trail Towns

Along with the trail magic communities, the towns Ian and I have been through have also been hiker-friendly, supportive places. The locals I have encountered care deeply about helping the hikers and tend to go above and beyond to help them when they can.

Blairsville and Season Inn

Blairsville, GA was the first town Ian and I stayed in. We stayed at Season’s Inn, an incredible local establishment that provides many essentials for their hikers. The employees of Season Inn are very knowledgeable about hiker needs and provide excellent help. The downtown of Blairsville was a nice, walkable area with plenty of restaurants.

Franklin NC and the Sapphire Inn

The second town Ian and I passed was Franklin NC. The downtown is an incredible place for hikers to eat and resupply. Outdoor 76 is a great store to buy resupply and get gear advice. The employees here helped me get the materials I needed to add shoulder support straps to my backpack. They also provide laundry services, outlets, and a hiker box. The Sapphire Inn was a great place for me and Ian to stay in town. Frenchie, the owner, is well-known in the AT community. He went above and beyond to ensure Ian and I had a great experience at his establishment. Finally, this town had great public transportation. The services are affordable and reliable.

The 2025 Hiker Board in Franklin NC

Ian and I leave our names