Spanning over 2,000 miles from Maine to northern Georgia, the Appalachian Trail (also known as the A.T.) represents the pinnacle of American wilderness.

The National Journal recently asked nine opinion leaders what's at stake for the environment as Washington's budget cuts, aka sequestration, go into effect.  Wilderness Society President Jamie Williams weighed in.

But the headwaters of this rapid river is threatened by old logging roads and unmanageable motorized vehicle use in forests upstream.

Now it's the scene of The Muir Project, a documentary that follows a group of digital artists on their bliss-filled journey along the trail.