It is a goal of mine (Dr Jones) to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in sections.  That’s more than 2170 miles, in case you’re curious. 

As of this writing, I have hiked 319 miles northward from the southern terminus of that Footpath in the Wilderness northward to Sam's Gap (north of Hot Springs, NC), and 280 miles northward from the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail (located in southern Pennsylvania). Add a hike in Grayson Highlands State Park, that's 624 miles, all told...a little more than 28% of the Trail. No, I haven’t seen a bear, but I have seen plenty of evidences.

Here are some of my comments:

2010: 133 miles so far
Goals?  Hmm!  How about hiking all of the AT in New Jersey, then Maine's Baxter State Park/Mt. Katahdyn and The 100 Mile Wilderness? Maybe by the end of 2010, I will have completed 1/3 of the Trail!
April 14-18, 2010 My buddy, John Potter, and I hiked 90 miles from Arden Road near Arden, NY, to Delaware Water Gap, PA.  Along the trail, I saw deer, turkey, ground hog, ground squirrel, gray squirrel, Red Epps lizards, 2 black snakes, and signs of beaver, porcupine, owl and bear.  From thirty-five miles away, I saw the skyline of NYC including the Empire State Building where over 8 million people live...all on the same trip!
June 5-6, 2010: With John, we hiked from Sam's Gap (north of Hot Springs, North Carolina) down to Hot Springs. We left Huntsville 5am and returned at midnight the next day, hiking 43 miles, and still getting a good 9 hours of sleep (that's 17 miles Saturday, 26 miles Sunday).

2009 : 215 miles
January 8-10, 2009 With 3 friends, the three goals during this outing was to hike in snowy conditions, see the wild ponies of Grayson Highlands State Park and summit the highest peak in Virginia.  These goals were accomplished with Russ Munger, Jim Dearman and Logan Cox.  For more details, the story was written up in "Faith and Family Matters", a publication of Willowbrook Baptist Church (spring edition). 25 miles.

May 6-10, 2009...We started this section which is at the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail, located in southern part of Pennsylvania.  (The AT extends from Mt. Katahdyn in Maine to Springer Mountain in north Georgia.)  This 100 mile section in Pennsylvania extended from Pine Grove Furnace to PA 183. Hiked this with John Potter, Stan Reese, Russ Munger.

September 8-11, 2009...90 miles further north in Pennsylvania, from PA 183 to the Delaware Water Gap (a.k.a., the New Jersey state line.)  This was the roughest terrain I've ever covered, and to do so by hiking 50 miles in 2 days and 40 miles in 2 days is a feat I don't have to repeat! It's not the elevation that challenges...it's all about the ROCKS! Hiked this section with John Potter.

2008: 140 miles
June 29-July 2, 2008:  Started at Dick's Creek Gap (11 miles east of Hiawassee, GA), averaged 16.7 miles/day, with speed (including breaks) of 1.9 mph.  Enjoyed a fine breakfast at a riverside cafe' at Nantahalla Outdoor Center in Wesser, NC on July 2.  I saved one portion of this section for a loop hike with older Boy Scouts of Troop 70 in October.  52 AT miles hiked, plus 5miles of side trails. Second longest solo hike.

August 7-9, 2008: Hiked from Newfound Gap in the middle of the Great Smoky Mtns. to I-40, just past Davenport Gap. Hiked with friends Russ Munger and Mike Soutullo. Missed the opening of the Summer Olympics on Friday, 8/8.  Sheltered at TriCorner Knob, the most secluded shelter over the entire length of the AT.  35 miles this trip.

Sept 19-2, 2008: Hiked from I-40 north to Hot Springs, NC.  33 miles, hiking with 5 experienced adult hikers, including Russ Munger, John Potter, John Corbell, Art Dohrman and Stan Reese.  Averaged 2.4mph including breaks!  Highlight of the trip was Max Patch, NC,  which can be accessed by the public via dirt/gravel woods roads...it is worth the trip for the view!

October 4-7, 2008: With 4 scouts and 1 other adult, hiked the Standing Indian Basin Loop (Kimsey Creek trail to the AT, stayed at Standing Indian, Carter Gap and Big Spring Shelters, before coming off AT at Long Branch Trail.) Also visited the Wasiki Poplar, the largest tulip tree east of the Mississippi, and Wyah Bald.

2006: 66 miles
June 27-July 1, 2006:  Springer Mountain to Dick's Creek Gap, near Hiawassee, GA. 66 miles..the longest I've gone as a solo hiker.

2004:  70 miles
March 20-28, 2004: With five older scouts (Robert Jones, Andy Webber, Michael Hays, Eric McDonald and Matt McKinney) and Mr. Emmett McDonald, hiked south from Newfound Gap (middle of the Smokies) to Wesser, N.C, site of the Nantahalla Outdoor Center. 70 miles. Following the Guide to Safe Scouting, Boy Scouts are limited to 10 miles per day.