To Damascus with Trail Love: Our Weekend at Trail Days

Wearing many hats means I get to live a lot of lives—and this past weekend in Damascus, Virginia, reminded me why I love every single one of them.

Each year, our Pinhoti Outdoor Center team loads up the car (and a cooler of snacks, of course) and makes the trek to Appalachian Trail Days. For us, it’s not just another event—it’s a reunion, a celebration, and a reminder of why we do what we do.

Trail Days is where hikers, hosts, vendors, and trail angels from all walks of life come together in one quirky, joyful, muddy, and unforgettable gathering. It’s a place where people cheer for your trail name louder than your real name, where a little rain doesn’t dampen spirits (because, let’s be honest, we’ve all been wetter), and where every “hello” sounds a little like “welcome home.”

We spent the weekend reconnecting with hikers we’ve shuttled, housed, or high-fived along the Pinhoti Trail—and meeting so many more we hope to serve in the seasons ahead. We also had the chance to chat with some incredible gear vendors, small businesses, and fellow trail community builders, many of whom will be heading to Sylacauga, Alabama this fall for our own homegrown celebration: Pinhoti Fest.

But the real story of the weekend? Resilience.

Hurricane Helene hit Damascus hard last September. Seeing the town bounce back in less than nine months—from flood damage to festival-ready—was nothing short of inspiring. This community rebuilt the trail town experience one tree, one muddy yard, one reopened business at a time. And they didn’t just survive—they welcomed over 20,000 hikers with open arms and a whole lot of heart.

We came home tired, full of ideas, and more fired up than ever for what’s ahead.

If Trail Days reminded us of anything, it’s that trails don’t just connect mountains—they connect people. And this community? It’s stronger than ever.

See y’all in September at Pinhoti Fest. Let’s keep building something amazing, together.