OutdoorsVT: National Trails Day activities abound

By Darren Marcy

Just how important are trails to you?

Do you hike? Bike? Run on trails? Backpack? Ski cross-country?

If you do, you’re far from alone.

More than 72 percent of all Americans 16 years of age and older participate in at least one outdoor activity, according to the 2006 Outdoor Recreation Participation Study conducted by the Outdoor Industry Association.

That’s 162 million people, including 76.7 million hikers, 40.4 million trail runners, 13.5 million backpackers and 10 million cross-country skiers.

Those kinds of numbers can’t be ignored.

National Trails Day, which will be held June 7 this year, began in 1993 and is the only nationwide celebration of trails, bringing awareness and appreciation to the many groups, land management agencies and outdoor businesses that dedicate themselves to this country’s 200,000 miles of trails.

Those trails bring millions of outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to get away from the stresses of life, even if just for a little bit. They can chase the next horizon, stride toward the next bend to see what awaits or simply sit at the top and watch the sun go down.

All 50 states have hosted events, along with the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and Canada. Last year alone, there were more than 1,100 registered events featuring hikes, bikes, horse rides, paddles, trail maintenance and other activities.

Vermont offers several opportunities to hit the trail.

Here are a few options.

One of the biggest events will be the Blueberry Hill & Moosalamoo Association National Trails Day event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Blueberry Hill Inn Ski Center located on the Goshen-Ripton Road.

The Moosalamoo National Recreation Area in Goshen offers plenty of fun for everybody and the Blueberry Hill Inn and the Moosalamoo Association are taking full advantage of the area with activities for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.

Guided 3-mile hikes will be offered throughout the day beginning at 11 a.m. including hikes for birding, wildflowers, as well as map skills and safety.

Trail exhibits and workshops, along with education exhibits and instructional demonstrations are also planned.

Cyclists can take a 5-mile bike ride and anglers can fish at Goshen Dam or Silver Lake as well. Plans include activities and programs for children and activities with a health focus.

There will be a history scavenger hunt from 1 to 3 p.m. to learn about the area’s agricultural, recreational and industrial history.

All of the activities are free, but there will be food available for purchase.

For more information, call 747-7900 or 247-6735, e-mail info@blueberryhillinn.com, or log on to www.moosalamoo.org or www.blueberryhillinn.com.

The Upper Valley Trails Alliance is holding several events to mark National Trails Day throughout the Upper Valley area.

Events are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a variety of sites in the area.

Among the plans are a 2-mile hike or walk, a 2-mile water trail for paddlers, equestrian and mountain bike rides, children’s programs, a trail dedication, and trail exhibits and workshops.

And if that’s not enough for you, there are always plenty of hiking trails that beg to be explored.

Of course, one reason National Trails Day exists is to get badly needed work done and the Upper Valley Trials Alliance is also planning to do some trail maintenance and construction on 2 miles of trail.

For more information, call 649-9075, e-mail trails@valley.net, or log on to www.uvtrails.org.

The New England Walking Horse Association and the National Park Service is planning a 10-mile horse ride for youths and adults. All youth participants will receive a certificate.

In addition to the trail ride, there will be trail exhibits and workshops and a speaker will address trails preservation and management during a lunch break.

Participants should bring their own lunch.

The trail ride and other events will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park in Woodstock.

For more information, call 426-3781 or e-mail watertowerfarm@aol.com.

Those who want a little less outdoors in their National Trails Day celebration can view a presentation on the Catamount Trail.

Jim Fredericks, executive director of the Catamount Trail Association, will give a multimedia account on the history of the 300-mile backcountry ski trail, which stretches the length of Vermont north to south.

The event will include the history of how the trail started, how it has progressed over the years, and what is planned for its 25 year anniversary.

Avian ecologist JoAnn Hanowski will also talk about the wildlife encountered on the Catamount Trail.

The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee.

Admission to the event is free after 4:30 p.m., or by admission to the VINS Nature Center. VINS members are also free.

The VINS Nature Center is located about one-quarter mile west of Quechee Gorge.

The Green Mountain Club has a variety of events scheduled for National Trails Day, with two local sections planning activities.

The Bread Loaf Section has planned a National Trails Day hike from Middlebury Gap to Burnt Hill Trail, a 4.5-mile trek with 806 feet of elevation gain.

For information, call Chip Morgan at 388-9868.

The Killington Section is holding a National Trails Day maintenance workday. Volunteers will be working on a section of the Long and Appalachian Trail. Efforts could include clearing brush and waterbars, cutting blowdowns and painting blazes to ready the trails for the summer hiking season.

Plan to wear work gloves and sturdy shoes and bring a lunch. Tools will be provided.

For information, call Herb Ogden at 293-2510.

So find yourself an event to attend. Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to hit the trail and celebrate our hiking heritage. There are too many sunsets to chase to simply sit home.

Darren Marcy is a local outdoor enthusiast. His Web site is www.DarrenMarcy.com. E-mail him at darren@darrenmarcy.com.