As a complement to Dahlonega's "Trail Fest," the Gold Museum will host a lecture March 15 on the history and experiences found on the Appalachian Trail, presented by hiking enthusiast Charles Aiken.

Aiken is a true "Appalachian Trail salesman." He has hiked thousands of miles on the trail, including a thru-hike in 1997. Hiking led Aiken to volunteer to conserve the trail.

He has been a Georgia Appalachian Trail Club trail maintainer for 18 years — "an unparalleled privilege" he says — and for the past several years he has focused much of his energy on outreach; he now sees himself as part of GATC's "sales and educational" arm.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the program will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.

There will be a question and answer session immediately following the lecture, and patrons are welcome to tour the Gold Museum exhibits before and after the presentation until 7 p.m.