June 5 National Trails Day

06/08/2021

June 5: National Trails Day

The first Saturday in June is designated as National Trails Day, spotlighting the numerous benefits of the local, state, and national trails that exist across the country. These are supported by grants at every level and maintained by an army of volunteers and are accessible to everyone to enjoy. We have already written about the benefits of spending time in nature, so it is only appropriate that we encourage you to observe this National Day.

Some of the most famous trails in the US are the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Ice Age Trail. The Appalachian Trail was conceived in 1900 by Benton MacKaye, a recent Harvard grad who strapped on a pair of boots and started breaking a trail in Vermont. At the time, the Second Industrial Revolution had created a population boom and a corresponding decrease in undeveloped areas across the country.  MacKaye’s vision began to gel in 1921, with the publication of his article “The Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning”, which laid out the framework for the more than 2200 mile trail that now snakes from Maine to Georgia, the longest foot-traffic only trail in the world.

The Pacific Crest Trail runs from Mexico to Canada, across the full length of California, Oregon and Washington. It travels through deserts, mountains, and forests, across rivers and around lakes, rising from a low of 1,190 feet to a high of over 13,000 feet above sea level. It is open to both foot and equestrian traffic and runs through several designated wildlife areas along its route.

The Ice Age Trail is entirely within the state of Wisconsin, stretching over 1,200 miles, roughly following the edge of the last glacier that came across North America during the last Ice Age.  It runs through state forests, eskers, and drumlins, offering vistas of a wide range of Wisconsin’s geological zones.

Hiking is a great back-to-nature activity that requires minimal equipment and provides maximum benefit. All you need is a good pair of shoes and a desire to spend time in the woods, by the water, on the mountains, in the desert, or walking through a prairie. Anyone can do it, and to celebrate National Trails Day, you should too!