Margaret Stevenson – The GOAT

The following an adaptation from my new book, Ramble On: A History of Hiking:

In 1960, Margaret Stevenson took up hiking to relieve severe back pain. Sixteen years later, at the age of 64, she became the first woman to hike every trail in the Great Smoky Mountains. Shortly after her death in 2006, the Tennessee House issued a joint resolution honoring Ms. Stevenson. It read, in part:

WHEREAS, Mrs. Stevenson will be fondly remembered as the first woman to hike all 900 miles of trails in the Great Smoky Mountains, logging 3,000 miles a year for 40 years, more mileage than she put on her car;

In 1997, at the age of 84, she registered her 718th ascent of Mt. LeConte, the third highest peak in the Smokies. This would be her final trip to the top of the 6593-foot mountain. Sitting just below the summit of this legendary mountain is the LeConte Lodge, which can only be accessed by one of five backcountry trails. After her death, Stevenson’s bronzed hiking boots were put on permanent display in the dining room of the lodge. The authors of LeConte Lodge: A Centennial History of a Smoky Mountain Landmark, named Stevenson as one of the “Greatest Of All Times (GOATs) of LeConte.”

You can read more about the pioneers of hiking in Ramble On: A History of Hiking.