Trail Magic On The SNT

One of the genres I enjoy for my recreational reading at night is memoirs of long-distance hikers, particularly those of thru-hikers of the Appalachian (2,200 mi) and Pacific Crest (2,650 mi) Trails. I would love to hike those trails but am cursed with being a magnet to mosquitoes and being an insomniac. I can’t sleep in a comfortable bed and can’t begin to bear the thought of trying to sleep on the ground with mosquitoes feasting on me. But, from my comfortable bed I can vicariously hike those trails. One thing that has intrigued me, as I’ve read these stories, is a phenomenon which each thru-hiker gratefully recounts—trail magic. “Trail magic” is the expression hikers use to describe occurrences of good fortune or acts of unexpected kindness they experience along the trail—something that meets a need, lifts their spirits, and inspires awe and gratitude. Trail magic can be unintentional, chanced coincidences; for example, the PCT hiker whose account I’m currently reading had lost his essential eating utensil and was miles from any place where he could purchase another. As he walked, discouraged by its loss, he saw a glint in the desert sand. Bending down, he uncovered an ancient camper’s eating utensil polished clean by decades of shifting sand. Like this example there is trail magic that just happens; however, most trail magic occurs intentionally and altruistically. Some comes from other hikers, for instance, one passing hiker hands another a protein bar or a bottle of water. But most trail magic happens because non-hikers respond with kindness out of respect for the hikers’ taking on the daunting challenge and, when aware of their needs, with empathy for what hikers suffer and require. Whatever the motive, they help the hiker further down the trail, closer to the goal. Examples of this intentional trail magic are trail angels’ (what those who provide trail magic are called) placing caches of water and food at strategic places on the trail, points too far from towns where hikers resupply, or, firing up a grill, where the trail passes close to a road or a picnic area in a park, and charcoaling hamburgers and hot-dogs next to a huge cooler full of ice-cold pop, all for hikers, or, their intentionally coming to ferry or extemporaneously stopping to carry hikers to town for re-supplying, rest, and restoration. Some trail magic happens when trail angels who have homes near the trail open them to hikers or allow them to camp in their yards, not only providing them shelter but a place to shower and home-cooked meals to eat. One morning, having fallen asleep the night before reading of trail magic, I rose to read my Bible, and there that morning were Jesus’ words about the Way that leads to life being “strait and narrow.” (Matt. 7:14). Perhaps, it is my spiritual deficiency, but I noted to myself that hiking the strait and narrow often gets tough and one’s strength gets depleted and his soul discouraged. Then, I thought, “Do not we hikers of the SNT (Strait and Narrow Trail) also experience trail magic? Do not we, in an exacting, tough stretch, laboring to put one foot in front of the other run smack dab, head on into a blessing God has cached on the trail?” It may be as simple as the very song you need to hear beginning to play on your car stereo. Or, it could be the Holy Spirit’s orchestrating someone to share in worship the very sermon, song, or testimony that addressed your inner turmoil. Do we not encounter trail angels? Yes, even on the SNT God uses trail angels to provide most of the trail magic: There is that unexpected, inspirational card that comes in the mail. Out of nowhere you get a text that says, “Thinking and praying for you.” You are praying at church and someone slips an arm around you and begins to pray with and for you. Rather than my listing more examples, why don’t you begin to think of the trail magic you have experienced in the SNT? Doing so, you will see there are true trail angels in your life--folks who are always encouraging, listening, praying, helping. We Christians rightly dislike the word “magic” because of its occultic connotations, and I mean no offense; but, using the term as thru-hikers do, I say to all us SNT thru-hikers, “Thank, God, for trail magic!” Perhaps, there is one thing more satisfying than being a recipient of trail magic—being a trail angel to someone who needs the magic.

Trail Magic On The SNT

Contact

Follow Us