Trail magic is a general term from random acts of kindness performed by strangers for hikers. These people are referred to as “trail angels”. Trail magic comes in all sorts of varieties ranging from giving free rides to and from the trail, to providing snacks, hamburgers and beer. Trail magic was pretty common in GA with a group of people setting up a tent with food at almost every major gap. My first experience was by a trail angel named King Tut, who had set up a stable with snacks, such as chips, candy, and would exchange your hat for a hat that was knitted by there Church. They would then donate your hat to a person in need.
At the Gap into Helen GA there was a huge group of people providing soup, sandwiches, hand sanitizer, first aid, and every kind of snack or junk food one could imagine. One of the most memorable tail magic experiences was at a random dirt road gap in GA where Gram and Old Goat cooked you all you could eat hamburgers with salsa and beer. We got into that gap with only a mile left until we got to our campsite, but there was also a campsite at the gap and when they offered to cook breakfast (pancakes and eggs) in the morning we opted to stay there and enjoy as much of the free food and beer as we could.
Another memorable trail angel was Frankie the sleeper who had through hiked back in 2014. I met him at Newfound Gap just outside Gatlinburg TN where he offered a ride into town. It is worth pointing out that hitch-hiking into town is very common, but can be tedious and time consuming especially as a male…. Frankie proceeded to give hikers rides all around Gatlinburg from Friday morning until Sunday at noon (and he was in fact how we returned to the trail after staying in Gatlinburg that night).
Trail magic is most commonly performed by former through-hikers, family of hikers, and churches. In a gap in NC, which was close to Robinsonville, I met Shirley, the wife of a current through hiker. I had just eaten lunch in the gap and during that time been given apples and leftovers from the NOC. Shirley pulled up as I was about to depart and asked if I would like a Pepsi with ice. I kindly accepted, while we chatted about the trail. While we were talking she mentioned that she had bought hot dogs and a grill, but didn’t know how to set the grill up. I proceeded to help her assemble the grill so that others could enjoy some trial magic, and went on my way. Although I really wanted to stay for more food, I had been there for nearly an hour so it pained me to leave as I had been craving a hot dog for days.
There have been many trail angels along the way, but those were some of the most memorable. Little things are greatly appreciated from snacks to a cold soda. Thank you to all of the trail angels I have met this far and all the rest I have yet to meet.
