Shelter Influence on Trail Camaraderie, Socializing, Human Impact, Etiquette & More

by Laura Johnston 

(photos courtesy Laura Johnston; see related photo galleries for AT and PCT)

Backcountry on the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail

I thru-hiked the 2,189.1* mile Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2016 and the 2,650.1* mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 2017.  The AT and the PCT are two of the country’s oldest, longest and most well-known national scenic trails in the United States (US).

This piece explores the AT’s and PCT’s options for outdoor overnight infrastructure (shelters, huts, lean tos, etc.) on the trail. Included are my observations from walking and camping on both trails for a collective 10.5 months — six months on the AT and four and half months on the PCT. It also incorporates data and information from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), the National Park Service, and interviews I conducted with fellow hikers for Sounds of the Trail (SOT) podcast while hiking both trails.

Thru-hiking a long distance trail like the AT or PCT is a profound experience where nearly aspect of daily life is about and on the trail–your front yard, your backyard, your neighborhood, your job, your weekend plans and your community is on the trail (while keeping in touch with friends/family off trail, too). The day-in-day-out of life as a thru-hiker offers experience and learning about the history, community, structures and dynamics of these trails.

Mount Katahdin, pictured, in central Maine is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and one of the most iconic spots of the trail. The Katahdin sign is one that nearly all hikers, especially thru-hikers, take a photo with when reaching the top of the mountain. On a clear day, hikers atop Katahdin enjoy views of the surrounding wilderness in Baxter State Park. Pictured are author Laura Johnston (center back) at the end of her AT thru-hike with fellow thru-hiking friends.

What Hut 2 Hut Wants to Know

Hut2hut.info explores options for people spending the night outdoors while hiking, walking, skiing, or biking (human powered travel) for extended periods. Hut2hut has two goals: 1) to paint a broad picture of what outdoor overnight infrastructure accommodations exists in the US (e.g. shelters, huts, camper cabins, platform tents, yurts, etc.) for long distance human-powered travelers (hike, bike, ski, etc.), and 2) to determine the optimal role(s) of each accommodation type. 

Staying overnight on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is possible by camping either in a tent/hammock or cowboy camping (sleeping without a tent/hammock but under the stars). There are no shelters or cabins on the PCT like those on the AT.

Outdoor Camping Options on the AT and PCT

The AT and PCT are choc full of areas for tenting or hammocking along the trail at established or designated sites, improvised “stealth” sites and shelters, cabins or huts in some cases.

In the 315 days (10.5 months) that I lived out of a backpack on the AT and PCT as a thru-hiker, I camped outdoors on trail 98% of the time, including at or in shelters on the AT. The other 2% of the time I stayed indoors in town at hostels, churches, hotels and homes of trail angels.

Camping on the AT is possible at established tent sites, stealth or improvised tent sites, near a shelter or in open space or at/in shelters along the trail. This site in Vermont is a shelter’s official tent site even though it is a quarter mile north of the shelter (due to limited open space around the shelter itself).

On the AT, which stretches from Georgia to Maine, there are 250+ shelters (sometimes called a “lean-to”), or three-sided stone or wood, open air structures with an overhanging roof, where hikers can camp, stop for a break or to socialize or find refuge from the weather. AT shelters occur every 8-15 miles along the trail (some are slightly off trail, but still considered “on trail”), most which were originally built in the 1930s and 40s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and later by trail volunteers and trail crews.

The shelters are free** (no cost to camp), open to anyone and as many people as can fit inside. (There are also almost always tent sites around the shelter, too). Also, on the AT, two of the trail’s largest clubs — the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) and The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) — maintain cabins and huts that are rustic stone or wood structures available for cost or reservation; however, these are rarely used by thru-hikers whose daily schedule requires them to keep moving forward and making miles each day. Thru-hikers primarily camp outdoors at free tent sites or shelters along the trails (due to budget, timing and the trail experience itself).

On the (PCT), however, stretching from Mexico to Canada, there are no official shelters on the trail. Occasionally there are cabins or shelters accessible off the PCT down connecting or side trails. And there is at least one emergency shelter, Muir Hut, atop Muir Pass (11,000+ feet) in the Sierra.

Whether camping at an established or improvised campsite or in a shelter, backpackers/campers are always advised to follow Leave No Trace (LNT) principles on the AT and PCT.

The Muir Hut , pictured, atop Muir Pass (11,000+ feet) on the PCT (and John Muir Trail) in the Kings Canyon section of the Sierra was built by the Sierra Club as an emergency shelter and memorial to naturalist John Muir. It is an impressive architectural feat and can be visited while hiking but is only to be used for sleeping only in the event of emergencies, severe weather.

The Shelter Effect

Hiking the AT and PCT in back-to-back calendar years allowed me to consider similarities and differences of the influences and impacts of shelters on the AT vs. no shelters on the PCT. (Note: It is definitely possible to get to know the AT, the PCT or any trail very well, too, without thru-hiking).

The shelters on the AT, and lack thereof on the PCT, seem to play a role in influencing trails dynamics like trail camaraderie (socializing), daily hiking schedules, meal times, learning leave no trace (LNT) and trail etiquette (being a respectful, decent person) and even human impact on the trail. Shelters encourage socializing with a dedicated space and structure for hikers to collect; by encouraging them to break or slow down for a bit by popping in; and by encouraging hikers to chat, use the privy as a bathroom (rather than the woods), and as a destination to interact, camp or relax.

In 2106 the USFS posted signs near and at the Watauga Lake Shelter on the AT in Tennessee about bear activity. Signs near and at the shelters like this often serve to reinforce ideas about LNT or closures to AT hikers.

Living the Shelter Life

With 250+ physical shelters along the trail they offer a physical place and structure to do all of these things and in doing so foster learning, lessons and nurturing community. It’s common to structure a day’s schedule or increments of a hike based on where a shelter is — “See you at the shelter.” “Let’s stop for lunch at the shelter.” “I’m going to push onto the next shelter.”

AT shelters can be a friendly social or meeting point — for meals, filtering water, a short break, camping, checking the trail registers (or logbooks), taking a pit stop at the privy (pit toilet), finding/making friends at a likely/probable point. In the event of a missing person, sickness, safety or an uncomfortable situation, the shelters can come to one’s aid where others at the shelter can mobilize or bring comfort as opposed to being alone in the woods.

Hikers on the AT can stay inside the physical shelter, hang out there or camp in the adjacent area for tenting/hammocks usually next to or near to a shelter. Usually the area around shelters includes space for tent and hammock camping, a fire pit, a water source and a privy (pit toilet) that can be used during the day or for camping. If sleeping in a shelter, hikers lay out their sleeping pad and sleeping bag on the shelter’s wooden floor.

Camping at but not in a shelter is a good option for company, convenience (close to water source, privy, company, space) or camaraderie. Whether in or around the shelter, campers are expected to follow LNT, exercise respectful behavior and properly store food at night so not to attract bears, mice or other rodents, too.

An unofficial rule of sleeping in a shelter is, “There’s always room for one more.” This idea is a foundation of shelter etiquette which the ATC encourages to be respect, kindness, LNT and flexibility whether visiting, sleeping or camping hear a shelter, especially during inclement weather like rain, sleet, snow or strong winds. It is not a requirement to socialize at a shelter, but anyone at a shelter is expected to be polite, moderate and kind of the shelter itself but also the people there.

The PCT, however is completely devoid of official shelters on trail. There are a handful of cabins, pavilions and shelters down a side or adjoining trail, but these are not considered officially part of the PCT. Instead hikers on the PCT stay overnight on trail camp in established campgrounds on or near the trail or improvised sites found near the trail. One reason (in addition to terrain) that hikers may hiker more miles each day because they are not stopping to break or camp at a shelter. Even without shelters, the PCTA encourages hikers to follow LNT always when camping.

The AT’s 250+ shelters, like Ethan Pond Shelter in the White Mountains of NH, pictured, are each unique in their design while having some similarities — an overhanging roof, a wooden floor and three walls, elevated floor off the ground. Most (but not all) shelters also have a privy (pit toilet) adjacent to the shelter, space for tenting and are near a creek or spring. Shelters attract hikers for breaks, water, meal times, camping, to socialize with fellow hikers or sign a logbook.

Indoor Accommodations Along the AT and PCT 

Hikers on the AT and PCT who prefer not to sleep/camp on trail can do so by car camping, camping at trailheads, in RV parks and other options off trail and in trail towns. If RV or car camping, hikers need to stay aware of the rules/regulations of the surrounding area or land.

Sleeping indoors on the AT or PCT is possible but is usually difficult for multiple, consecutive days on trail unless slackpacking (possible on many sections of the AT) or devising a clever route. Doing so requires a good review of trail maps or trail guides to understand mileage, trailheads, connecting trails and town accommodations, etc. Hikers can also leave a car at either end of a hike or do an out and back hike.

If hiking for multiple days but not wanting to sleep outdoors, the trails cross roads that will lead you into, near or with access (via a car or hitchhike) to towns (roughly) every 3-5 days on the AT and 4-8 days on the PCT where hikers can resupply for food or find indoor accommodations.  Some hikers even looks for Airbnbs in trail towns.

Most trail towns on the AT and PCT include at least one hostel or hotel or basic resort available for a bed and shower, and some include multiple options. Often churches and community centers in town open their doors to thru-hikers, too. It’s important for hikers planning for indoor accommodations on the AT and PCT to know that accommodations may be basic as trail towns are relatively small towns, too.

Shelters along the AT, like the Partnership Shelter, pictured, outside of Marion, VA bring together hikers to camp in or around the shelter and socializing at a collective place.

The AT and PCT: A Great American Experience

Like other national scenic trails, the PCT and AT are long distance hiking trails but also an idea, a chapter of American history, a community and a legacy of a vision that was developed, spearheaded and built by (and is maintained by) people across the country– volunteers, federal and state employees, private land and business owners. [Note: The first half of Vermont’s Long Trail (LT) parallels the AT for 100 miles; and a large section of the Sierra in central California parallels the John Muir Trail (JMT)].

Both the AT and PCT are free places to hike, camp and backpack twelve months of the year (with occasional weather and trail condition closures in mind). They are used by thru-hikers, sections hikers, weekend hikers and day hikers with the most users between March and October of the year.

The PCTA’s website says, “The trail symbolizes everything there is to love–and protect–in the Western United States.” And the ATC’s website calls the AT “…a place of life-changing discovery.” As someone who hiked both of these trails I experienced the reality of those statements on trail.

The AT and PCT bring together people of all ages, backgrounds, religions and political backgrounds to see and experience some of the most stunning landscapes in the country and the most interesting community of people attracted to them. Thousands of people simply volunteer for the trails (building, maintaining, fundraising or other needed work) and don’t hike them. 

Before, during and after my thru-hikes I learned how the AT and the PCT nurture purpose, employment, friendships, economy, personal development, outdoor skills and stewardship among hikers, volunteers, locals and employees that support them. By bringing together people from across the country and the world of various backgrounds, ages, abilities and ideologies, the trails encourage perseverance, self reliance, community and connection with the outdoors and a chapter of American history. If hiking on them, one often finds like I did that trails restore their “..faith in humanity” with the kindness of the hiking community, trail towns and trail angels. 

Meal times on the PCT occur at campsites or spontaneous areas on trail, like this spot south of Muir Pass in the Sierra. On the AT, hikers often choose to eat on at similarly spontaneous spots but they often eat at a shelter where there might be fellow hikers to socialize with, water and a roof to sit under or a logbook to sign or read.

Hikers by the Millions and Counting

With each of the five decades since becoming national scenic trails, the AT and PCT grow longer, more well-known and traveled. The ATC and PCTA estimate that a collective 4+ million (and rising) people access some part of both trails annually.

In recent years, best-selling books made into films like A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson about the AT and Wild by Cheryl Strayed about the PCT have popularized the trails with the masses. Along with the success of these books, films and social media’s reach, the knowledge and users of AT and PCT are rising dramatically.

The PCTA’s 2016 visitor use report noted “…long-distance hikers and horseback riders came from all 50 states and 41 countries and territories…” and 5,657 permits were issued for section and thru-hikers. Those numbers do not include day hikers or weekend hikers. And in 2017, the ATC’s Interesting Facts report estimated that 2-3 million people per year hike a portion, section or the entire trail, including 950 reported completed thru-hikes for 2017.

In 2016 Laura Johnston, author (right in pink jacket) completed a thru-hike of the AT and met hundreds of people on trail, including three friends, pictured, who she finished the trail with at the northern terminus, Mount Katahdin in Maine. The night before summiting the Katahdin, she camped at The Birches, a campground with two shelters and tent sites in Baxter State Park reserved for long distance hikers on the AT.

More Than Just Shelter

While there are many similarities between the AT and PCT, one of the most obvious differences is where this article began–the AT’s shelters and the PCT’s lack of shelters on trail. Opportunities and choices for socializing, camping, eating, sharing trail stories, learning trail etiquette and LNT, even learning history of the trail happens differently on each trail because of shelters (or lack thereof).

On trail I found the AT’s shelters embodied a phrase made famous in the 1980s film Field of Dreams:  “If you build it, they will come.” Thru-hikers, day or section hikers on trail often develop a rhythm or curiosity to stop or stay at shelters because they are a reliabily welcome, friendly, necessary or even interesting touch point of the day.

By stopping and camping at shelters during my own AT thru-hike, I saw the differences in each structure, learned about the shelters themselves and saw a greater good mindset at shelters — how you act, eat and sleep at a shelter (or in the outdoors) influences others and the trail’s condition, protection, image and relationship with wildlife.

People at shelters often learn from one another of how to model behaviors at a shelter as responsible or friendly trail behavior. They may even pick up a trick or two from how fellow hikers set up camp, store their food, or make a meal. New thru-hikers and novice backpackers can connect at the shelters and can meet, talk and learn from the collective experience on trail.

Because shelters attract people (and people have and eat food there), shelters can attract wildlife so following LNT for eating and storing food is critical to keep wildlife, hikers and shelrers safe. It is important to ensure shelters are a safe place to attract people on trail but not to attract bears or rodents. Eating, food storage, dirty water disposal all impact the presence of wildlife or not.

In fact the southernmost states on the AT – Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia – often have bear cables, bear boxes or bear poles at shelters encouraging hikers to store food away from shelters and out of tents or campsite. Seeing available food storage options and hikers practicing  (or even pressuring) good practices can facilitate LNT-friendly behavior and learning from one another.

Even if not camping overnight at a shelter, hikers often pass through to say “hello,” fill up and filter water, use the privy, check the logbook or ask about a fellow hiker. The day may even unfold differently because of a happening at the shelter — collecting food that someone offers, making a plan at the shelter with fellow hikers, or getting an idea of a good/fun place to camp because of conversation at the shelter, or slowing down or speeding up because of  conversation at the shelter.

Many of the AT’s shelters encourage hikers to store food away from  wildlife either on bear cables, hung from a tree away from the shelter or in bear boxes, as pictured. The constant reinforcement of this practice at the shelters and influence of groups at the shelters are repeated opportunities to educate and remind hikers about leave no trace (LNT) and invite conversation about such practices.

Trail Etiquette

Trail etiquette is a combination of LNT and overall trail manners. Anyone at a shelter is expected to be polite with language, friendly to others and respectful of LNT and a certain etiquette.

Like a workplace, a school or another public shared space, there are a variety of ages, languages, schedules (wake and sleep time), abilities and personalities on trail and the shelters attract them all. So the shelters facilitate a common place to share a space, stories, knowledge and etiquette (or pass it on).

Shelters can even be main destinations for day, weekend, section or thru-hikers for a meal, a break or to camp, so they are opportunistic places for conversation, resources (water, shelter, space around shelter, campfire), intel (e.g. trail magic ahead or where a friend may be) or examples of good trail etiquette.

I found stopping at or staying at shelters along the AT as a place to find friends, camaraderie and to learn or reinforce LNT and trail etiquette (polite language, open mindedness, kindness and respect for quiet hours after dark), community, expertise and experience unique to the trail.

Even in what can be a solitary activity–hiking–staying at shelters encourages a greater good mindset, being face-to-face with others on trail and practicing responsible behavior with the trail, fellow hikers and to stay separate from wildlife.

Shelters are often a meeting place for meal times. Even hikers that don’t sleep in or camp at the shelters often stop in for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack. It’s important to be mindful of LNT practices, a polite and respectful trail etiquette when using shelters. Hikers also use shelters to find water, use the privy, check the trail registers or socialize.

Logbooks

Shelters on the AT almost always have a trail registry or logbook, a spiral or composition notebook where hikers can voluntarily sign their names and/or write funny, informative or serious notes to fellow hikers. Hikers will write notes for themselves, the trail community, the shelter caretaker or for hiking partners — “Stayed at the shelter last night!” “Will camp tonight at the next shelter. Hope to see you there.”

Logbooks or trail registers on the AT, as pictured, are located in the shelters and a traditional opportunity or place for any hiker to write their name, a generic note, or even information to friends or fellow hikers. They-hikers often stop at the shelters simply to read or sign the notebook as a part of their day and journey along the trail.

The logbooks are an invitation to contribute one’s name, personality and even helpful information to a book at each shelter for that season. Hikers may even write to someone behind them as a means to reconnect, “Sorry we missed each other. Hope to see you in town or down the trail.” And sometimes the logbook has fun or useful information like, “Free pizza in town for all thru-hikers!” Many hikers simply sign their trail name and the day’s date.

Shelters, also often, have signs or flyers posted near/in a shelters (in case of problems bears, extra reinforcement to be diligent, etc.) that encourage LNT responsible behavior and encourage conversation or awareness. 

Thru-hikers on the AT pack up for the morning from the Cooper Brook shelter in central Maine in the famed 100 mile wilderness. Cold, damp days like this one in September 2016 bring hikers together at a shelter for warmth, camaraderie and temporary or overnight shelter from precipitation.

Protection from Elements/Weather

The AT is located in the eastern US along the Appalachian mountain range where the climate can be damp and precipitous nearly any time of year — humidity in the summer and snow and sleet in the winter and rain anytime of year. If and when a hiker prefers not to camp (too cold/dangerous) on wet or frozen ground, shelters are ideal places to provide relief to stay dry.

The AT’s shelters can provide temporary or an overnight break from rain, sleet, snow, a dry place to sleep or enjoy a break.

The Appalachian Mountain Club AMC), a trail club in the northeast, maintains a series of fully-enclosed huts with meals, bunks, water and indoor pit toilets. Some of these huts are in the White Mountains of NH on the AT, including Zealand Falls Hut, pictures. Section or weekend hikers can pay to reserve a bunk for cost; thru-hikers often stop through for water, a meal or to offer to “work for stay,” doing chores in exchange for food. In the event of serious weather, certain AMC huts in the White Mountains must allow thru-hikers to stay inside the huts.

In times of tough, cold or dangerous weather the AT shelters may become a place to go for cheering up one’s spirits among fellow hikers waiting out a storm or commiserating Ina covered place together.

In the most serious of weather, shelters can be a safe place to go (or bring) fellow hikers that may need help or the company of fellow hikers can provide help, warmth or advise rather than being alone in the woods. 

PCT hikers can stay at the Mountaineers Lodge, puctured, at Steven’s Pass, WA which is a small walk from the PCT. This three story A-frame cabin houses skiiers in the winter and is open to thru-hikers in the hiking season. A small fee allows hikers to sleep, shower, use a drying room and lounge on couches.

Camaraderie  

Because camaraderie (or socializing) on the AT and PCT are facilitated by many factors–the persoanlities, the trail itself, the landscapes, water sources, weather, terrain, the pace, the number of people on trail and a characteristically friendly nature of hikers–there is no doubt that the shelters on the AT add to socializing.

Additionally shelters on the AT may enable certain hikers to stay overnight who may not feel comfortable or capable sleeping in a tent or a hammock. They also encourage socializing or a welcome place to walk into socializing when some might be nervous or shy otherwise.

Granite peaks of the Sierra in central and northern California on the PCT leave one inspired each and everyday.

History

The AT shelters are also a tool in telling the history and culture of the trail. Seeing or staying at the shelters can inspire awareness of the CCC, trail crews and volunteers who built and maintain them by hand; materials and tools for construction brought in on someone’s back or via forest roads. It also is a obvious and tangible way to recognize the trail craftsmanship  as opposed to equally important but often overlooked trail construction, like stone or rock work or a clear trail.

With 250+ physical structures, each designed and built differently, the AT’s shelters are a window and awareness into trail history and construction. The materials and design of each shelter is different; when they were built differs; who maintains them varies by regional trail club; and the number of people who can and do choose to sleep in them varies.

My hiking partner on the AT was a skilled carpenter and stopping or staying at shelters inspired a greater appreciation in me of their craftsmanship and overall condition.

The PCT does not have shelters. The absence of them and nearly any human-made structure makes structures obscure and strange.

Overmountain Shelter, the red barn pictured in the distance, is an iconic shelter in the Roan Highlands of Tennessee on the AT. Hikers can camp in the large two-story barn or in the vast grassy area, pictured, which is adjacent to the shelter. This is perhaps the largest shelter along the AT and could easily sleep 40+ people.

Where There Are No Shelters

Without shelters on the PCT, the dynamics of camaraderie, camping and more on trail are facilitated otherwise. Hikers on the PCT are equally friendly, kind and LNT/trail etiquette aware, but these behaviors manifest differently and often occur at spontaneous sites, at improvised sites or in different sized groups than on the AT.

There are not physical structures on the PCT; there are not bear cables or bear poles to hang food; there are not privies (expect a couple open air pit toilets in Washington); there are not logbooks in a shelter; there are not consistent buildings on the trail that invite/encourage a host of people-centered activities — meals, socializing, signing a logbook learning LNT and trail etiquette or taking cover from the weather.

Instead of socializing or certain activities at shelters on the AT — camping, filtering water, chatting, meal times, signing a logbook, talking about LNT or trail etiquette or taking cover from the weather — these dynamics happen differently on the PCT. Instead, they might occur on the trail itself while walking (or taking a break), at water sources, streams/lakes, campsites, trees or rocks or other improvised points on the trail.

Additionally the lack of shelters or physical structures on the PCT nurtures an increased feeling of complete wilderness. A lack of physical structures (less trail signs and the occasional cistern or trailhead, or wind turbine) makes for a deep connection to the natural world.

It’s important to note that like hikers on the PCT, those on the AT will also socialize, exchange information, learn or seek protection at other points on trail (not just shelters) like lakes/streams, viewpoints, trees/rocks or other improvised sites on trail.

Thru-hikers on the PCT break for a rest in the desert in southern California. Without shelters on the PCT, unlike the AT, breaks like this often happen on the trail, under a tree or at a water source.

Table Summary

Below is a table with a side-by-side comparison of the text above and the key features that shelters provide on the AT and how trail dynamics occur on the PCT without them.  The ATC’s website provides more details about shelter life here.

*Note: Official mileage of the AT and PCT varies slightly from year due to ongoing land acquisition or trail construction.

**Note: In areas with the heaviest foot traffic, the use of some AT shelters may require the payment of a fee smell dee. Fee sites are mostly found in New England and are usually $10 or less. Free sites are interspersed between the fee sites. See more on ATC website.

The impacts of how and where hikers socialize, camp, sleep, eat, and commune on the AT and PCT are detailed further in this article by Zach Davis, founder of TheTrek.co.

The ski hut atop Bromley Mountain in Vermont belongs to the Bromley Mountain Ski Resort, but is open for thru-hikers to rest at or camp inside during the summer months, in the off season.