This data set represents the most current depiction of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail centerline. Locational information used to create this data set were obtained from both Global Positioning Systems (GPS) survey data collected between 1998-2001 and information digitized from USGS topographical maps and Appalachian Trail maps.
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a footpath of approximately 2,169 miles in length that traverses the Appalachian Mountains from Maine to Georgia. It passes through 14 states and approximately 241 jurisdictions, and links some 75 national and state parks and forests. Virtually every mile is within easy access of a major population center and some portion of the trail is within a day's drive of 2/3rds of the U.S. population. The idea for an Appalachian Trail was conceived by forester Benton MacKaye in 1921. In 1925, the Appalachian Trail Conference, a private not-for-profit organization, was founded specifically to coordinate the development of the Appalachian Trail. Its mission today is to preserve, manage, and promote the Appalachian Trail. By 1937, an Appalachian Trail footpath was considered complete and open for all to enjoy. In 1968, Congress passed the National Scenic Trails Act that created a system of national scenic trails, starting with the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Though considered part of the national park system, the Appalachian Trail has largely remained managed by the Appalachian Trail Conference. This responsibility was formally delegated by the Department of the Interior in 1984. Today, the trail and its associated lands are managed by the Appalachian Trail Conference, its 31 affiliated trail clubs, and the National Park Service Appalachian Trail Park Office, in conjunction with several agency partners including the USDA Forest Service and numerous state park and state forest agencies.
publication date
Internal feature number.(Source:
ESRI)
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Internal node number for the beginning of an arc (from-node).(Source:
ESRI)
Internal node number for the end of an arc (to-node).(Source:
ESRI)
Internal node number for the left polygon.(Source:
ESRI)
Internal node number for the right polygon.(Source:
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Length of feature in internal units.(Source:
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User-defined feature number.(Source:
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Trail Maintaining Club responsible for a specific section of trail
Feature geometry.(Source:
ESRI)
Appalachian Trail Conferene and National Park Service Appalachian Trail Park Office
P.O. Box 807
This data set was developed to provide a depiction of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in an usable and easily transferable format between parties so that it can correctly be represented on digital and printed maps; to assist staff members, agency partners, and trail-maintaining clubs with trail and land management duties; and to help local planning agencies, telecommunications companies, and other groups with planning activities, such as siting new developments that could have a substantial impact on the scenic quality of the Appalachian Trail.
Information used in compiling this data set was collected and contributed by Dr. Vernon Vernier (1998-1999), the Green Mountain National Forest (1999), the White Mountain National Forest (1999-2001), and A.T. staff members (1998-2001).
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail Centerline data was created from a number of sources. These include Global Positioning System (GPS) survey data collected by Dr. Vernon Vernier (1998-1999), the Green Mountain National Forest (1999), the White Mountain National Forest (1999-2001), and A.T. staff members (1998-2001) as well as some digitized information based on information depicted on USGS topographical maps and Appalachian Trail maps. All GPS data was post-process differentially corrected either by A.T. staff members or by the party that collected the data. Next, it was populated with data source and supplier information. All GPS data used to create this data set was collected using Trimble's recommended data capture settings (e.g. maximum PDOP of 6.0 and elevation mask of 15 degrees) except the Manual 3D setting for those data collected by Dr. Vernier. Dr. Vernier used the Automatic data setting, which collects 3D GPS data when available and 2D GPS data all other times. Those portions of the data based on 3D GPS data and those based on 2D GPS data were identified and noted in the data. All GPS data were then combine to produce a seamlessly data set and attribute information (e.g. length) was updated for the entire set. Gaps were then identified and supplemented using digital data based on information depicted on USGS 1:24,000 scale topographic maps and Appalachian Trail maps, which vary in scale from 1:24,000 to 1:100,000. Attribute information (e.g. length) was then updated for the entire set. Data were then compared to a list of major trail relocations since 1998. Those portions of the data set that no longer accurately depicted the current trail location (e.g. the trail had been relocated since the GPS data in that area was collected) were replaced with digitized information, based on the most accurate and up-to-date information available as to the current trail location, whether that be an Appalachian Trail map (1:24,000 to 1:100,000 scale) or marked up USGS topographic maps (1:24,000 scale). Once combine with the rest of the data set, attribute information (e.g. length and data source) were updated for the entire set. As more accurate and up-to-date information is collected or becomes available, it will be incorporated within, or used to update, the current data set.
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All attributes associated with this data set were verified and should reflect the qualities of each portion of the data. Length (distance) information was calculated within the GIS though, so may not accurately reflect true distance values such as those calculated on the ground with a wheel or other measuring device. These values may also vary slightly throughout the data set, depending on the source data used to determine length.
Horizontal accuracy of this data set varies depending on the source data from which it was compiled. All GPS data used to create this data set were collected using Trimble GeoExplorer II, ProXL, or ProXR GPS equipment and post-process differentially corrected. However, in some areas this included only 2D GPS data (which is generally less accurate than 3D GPS data). Though no formal tests were conducted, all portions of the data based on 3D data are assumed to meet National Mapping Standards of +/- 46.5 feet horizontal accuracy at a 95% confidence level. Portions based on 2D data, however, may exceed National Mapping Standards in some areas. All portions of the data based on GPS data are noted within the attribute information. All digitized information used to create this data set were based on information depicted on USGS 1:24,000 topographic maps or Appalachian Trail maps, which vary in scale from 1:24,000 to 1:100,000. Generally, this information was only used as a supplement to the GPS data (e.g. in areas where no GPS data was collected or where GPS data did not reflect current conditions such as recent relocations). Though no formal tests were conducted, those portions of the data based on USGS topographic map information are assumed to be within National Mapping Standards. Those based on Appalachian Trail map information, however, may exceed National Mapping Standards in some areas. All portions of the data based on digitized information are noted within the attribute information.
Not applicable.
All portions of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail are represented within this data set using the most accurate information available. This includes high accuracy Global Positioning Systems (GPS) data in some areas and digitized information from USGS topographic maps and Appalachian Trail maps in others. As more accurate and up-to-date information is collected or becomes available, it will be incorporated within, or used to update, the current data set.
Information within this data set are considered to be logically consistent, though no formal tests were performed. Line geometry is topologically clean.
Although a large portion of this data is quite accurate, the information depicted in this data set is for general reference purposes only and does not represent legal survey information. The Appalachian Trail Conference, the National Park Service Appalachian Trail Park Office, agency partners (including other units of the National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service), and associated trail-maintaining clubs shall not be held responsible for use or misuse of this data. Please see the Distribution_Liability section for more detailed information.
P.O. Box 807
Although a large portion of this data is quite accurate, the information depicted in this data set is for general reference purposes only and does not represent legal survey information. The Appalachian Trail Conference, the National Park Service Appalachian Trail Park Office, agency partners (including other units of the National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service), and associated trail-maintaining clubs shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. These data are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such. The information contained in these data is dynamic and may change over time. The data are not better than the original sources from which they were derived. It is the responsibility of the data user to use the data appropriately and consistent with the limitations of geospatial data in general and these data in particular. The related graphics are intended to aid the data user in acquiring relevant data; it is not appropriate to use the related graphics as data. The Appalachian Trail Conference and National Park Service give no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data. It is strongly recommended that these data be directly acquired from ATC or NPS and not indirectly through other sources that may have changed the data in some way. Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at both the Appalachian Trail Conference and the National Park Service, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the utility of the data on another system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and aggregate use with other data.
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Refer to http://www.appalachiantrail.org/ or the contact person listed within this metadata for ordering information or instructions.
Refer to http://www.appalachiantrail.org/ or the contact person listed within this metadata for ordering information or instructions.
P.O. Box 807