This Week’s Top Instagram Posts from the #AppalachianTrail

Appalachian Trail northbounders are out in force and the flip-floppers are starting to join them. They’ve been blessing our Instagram feeds with the good stuff, so welcome back to our weekly roundup of the most spectacularly beautiful, hilariously entertaining, and all-around best photos taken on the Appalachian Trail this past week.

This week’s photos were taken from May 4th to May 16th and were found by perusing the hashtag #TrektheAT. A thorough point-based grading system is used to pluck out the very best for your viewing pleasure. As always, dog photos are favored.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

The best part about reaching the top of a long climb is seeing all your friends there. Thanks @honcebonce for snapping this photo when we weren’t paying attention! ?

A post shared by Juliana Chauncey (@juliana_chauncey) on May 12, 2019 at 5:31am PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

They call this move “the tent takeover” #tentlife#at2019#appalachiantrail#atclassof2019#thruhike#thetrek#trektheat#withguthook#optoutside#backpacking#camping#hiking#ruffwear#traildog#dogsthathike#pitbullsofinstagram#pitbull#amstaff#staffy#thruhiker#hikingdog#travel#dogstagram#adventure#explore#nature#atthruhike @appalachian.trail @thetrek.co @bigagnes_ @rei

A post shared by Brian Kelly (@brianwkelly) on May 16, 2019 at 2:33pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

This deer is just begging to be meme’d.

A post shared by Cedar Hikes (@hikeasaurustreks) on May 14, 2019 at 6:09pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Guys I’m in a real life fairy tale I swear. . . #appalachiantrail #trektheat #at2019 #exploretocreate #adventurevisuals #planetearth #fantasticearth #discoverearth #discoveryourplanet #visualsoflife #outdoors #outdoorvibes #amongthewild #wildernessculture #wildernessvibes #earthpix #roamtheplanet #wildernesstherapy #thegreatoutdoors #getoutstayout #gameoftones #ventureout #theoutbound #artofvisuals #keepitwild #naturephotography #natureshots #natgeoyourshot #natgeotravel

A post shared by Jori Schmalz (@theoutdoorvegan) on May 13, 2019 at 1:48pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

For the most part, white blazes are found splattered across the tree trunks that line the trail. But not always. Today, we weaved between knee-high wheat fields and corn fields that were just pushing through the spring soil. With flat, treeless land to the left and right, posts were erected and painted with the same white blaze to keep us moving north. #optoutside #womenwhohike #hiking #backpacking #thruhike #at2019 #trektheat #georgiatomaine #appalachiantrail #atclassof2019 #nobo2019 #nobo19 #atthruhike2019 #whiteblazes #marchforth

A post shared by March Forth (@marchforthat) on May 12, 2019 at 4:32pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

I’ve spent the entirety of my adult life abroad, chasing sunrises in places often described as exotic or remote or surreal. The past five weeks on the #AppalachianTrail have been teaching me that those types of sunrises were in my own backyard all along.

A post shared by Alexandra B (@marvel.hikes) on May 9, 2019 at 12:14pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

AT DAY 58 – McAfee Knob is one of the most iconic locations on the Appalachian Trail, and part of the Virginia Triple Crown. Well worth getting up extremely early to watch the sunrise. There were Lion King songs and it was truly a fantastic day. #vivalamaine

A post shared by Liz (@msridiculiz) on May 9, 2019 at 4:33am PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Tell me something, boy. —— #hikertrashvogue #appalachiantrail #nobo2019 #thruhike #trektheat #thruhiker #hikertrash #at2019 #georgiatomaine #hike #hiking #outdoors #optoutside #travel #adventure #backpacking #wanderlust #camping #takeahike #atc #choosemountains #getoutside #wondermore #travel #milestogo #blueridgeparkway #roadwalk

A post shared by Melissa “Binx” Glass (@themelissaglass) on May 8, 2019 at 12:00pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

| soon, when all is well, you’re going to look back on this period of your life and be so glad you never gave up. | #loveva #nikon #itsamazingoutthere #makemomentshappen #optoutside #greettheoutdoors #appalachiantrail2019 #wanderoften #natgeotravel #optoutside #sltravels #choosemountains #neverstopexploring #getoutstayout #blueridgemoments #virginiaoutdoors #goldenhour #neverstopexploring #keepitwild #hikingadventures #lifeofadventure #travelphotography #trektheat #blueridgemountains #rei1440project #appalachiantrail #stayandwander #wildernessculture #swva @visitvirginia @southwest.virginia @blueridgemoments @blueridgeoutdoors @appalachian.trail

A post shared by Billy Bowling (@iambab_xiii) on May 8, 2019 at 3:54am PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Probably my favorite campsite thus far. Sometimes it’s best to put your guidebook down and set up where it just feels right • • • • #appalachiantrail #at2019 #at #trektheat #georgiatomaine #thetrek #thruhike #thruhiking #hike #hiking #outdoors #optoutside #travel #adventure #backpacking#wanderlust #camping #campvibes #takeahike #atc #choosemountains #getoutside #ultralight #wondermore #travelstoke #sonyalpha

A post shared by Dave “PYT” Mizelle (@daveisoutside) on May 5, 2019 at 5:32am PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

The trail in southern Virginia goes through a ton of cow pastures. I love it! #at2019 #appalachiantrail #thruhike #trektheat

A post shared by Kristen Fiedler (@kris10fiedler) on May 4, 2019 at 6:55pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Foggy morning on the AT. #at2016 #at2019 #appalachiantrail #sunrise #hiking #northcarolina #thetrek #trektheat

A post shared by Renaud Adam-Labrèche (@renaudadamlabreche) on May 14, 2019 at 5:52pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Day 30 | Started off as a sluggish day. I didn’t leave my sleeping bag until 8 and didn’t get started hiking until 9. After a nice climb up to Big Bald I sat up there for awhile to take in the incredible views, eat breakfast while watching the fog in the valleys below burn off and FaceTime with @sydneyab. . My plan for the day was to go a total of 14 miles to the next shelter, but after getting up and going, I was feeling great. I ended up laying out a 21 mile day into town to get a early resupply and to treat myself to some real food! . Now it’s on to the Roan Highlands! . #AppalachianTrail #AT2019 #nobo2019 #georgiatomaine #hikertrash #whiteblaze #thetrek #trektheAT #thruhike #atclassof2019 #withguthook #backpacking #atlnt #lnt #hikingoninsulin #t1d #typeonelookslikeme #beyondtype1 #diabeticsdoingthings #diabadass #dexcom #dexcomwarrior #omnipod #HoneyStinger #gossamergear #hykeandbyke

A post shared by David | Trail Name: Baloo ? (@hiking_on_insulin) on May 9, 2019 a

t 5:24am PDT

While the trail will always be beautiful and there will always more beautiful photos of it than we know what to do with, it’s important to acknowledge that it’s been a heart-breaking week for the Appalachian Trail community and to take another moment to remember Ronald “Stronghold” Sanchez.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

This is Ronald “Stronghold” Sanchez, the victim from the recent fatal stabbing on the Appalachian Trail. There is no silver lining to this story- but it’s only right that we honor Stronghold’s memory, a veteran who sought the outdoors to help him overcome his depression and PTSD. You are in the thoughts and hearts of all of us in the trail community. We will continue down the trail in your honor. Rest In Peace. #trektheAT #thetrek

A post shared by The Trek: Appalachian Trail (@appalachian.trail) on May 15, 2019 at 4:48pm PDT

I’d sign off with the reminder to love and take care of each other, but the Appalachian Trail community will never need that reminder.