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 The first Saturday of every June is designated National Trails Day (NTD). On that day every year more than a million hikers, bikers, equestrians, and others take part in thousands of events nationwide in celebration of America's trails. These events include new trail dedications, workshops, educational exhibits, equestrian and mountain bike rides, rollerblading, trail maintenance, and hikes on America's favorite trails.
National Trails Day is organized nationwide by the American Hiking Society, a national nonprofit trail advocacy group based in Washington, DC. All events, however, are planned and carried out at the local level by conservation and recreation organizations, trail clubs, and land managing agencies. Originally established in 1993, NTD has grown to approximately 3,000 events across the country.
For the past four years, the El Paso Ridgewalkers has had a registered event to promote National Trails Day. This year, our event will be the Pine Tree Trail located at Aguirre Springs. The Pine Tree Trail loop covers a wide ecological range, from lower-elevation mountain mahogany scrub to ponderosa pine woodland on its upper parts. Its a moderate 4.5 mile loop with trees, streams, boulders, wildlife, and great views of the Tularosa Basin and White Sands National Monument. Make sure to bring your camera, and a picnic lunch for an after hike picnic.
Goals of National Trails Day
 The objectives of National Trails Day not only include promoting public awareness of and appreciation for America's trails, but also encouraging cooperative efforts among different trail users, including hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, walkers, runners and anyone else who enjoys being on the trail.
In celebrating the values and benefits of our nation's trails, a unifying idea and long-range goal of National Trails Day is the concept of "Trails for All Americans" -- that is, to establish a nationwide network of trails that would link together as part of the nation’s infrastructure of greenways, like the interstate highway system.
The National Trails System
In recent years, NTD has started to make inroads into our national and state park systems, with more and more activities and programs associated with the event taking place each year. Many of these activities highlight America's national scenic and historic trails, some of which are thousands of miles in length. These trails serve as reminders of our rich national heritage before the advent of railroads and the highway system, at a time when people traveled overland on foot, on horseback, or by wagon. Some examples include the Mormon Pioneer Trail, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
How Can I Get Involved?
 Show your support for trails by joining an event, such as the one planned by the El Paso Ridgewalkers. You can also take a look at the American Hiking Society's list for other events.
Get Outside and Play!
Regardless of your age, interests, skills, or physical abilities, come out and join together with others in your area on National Trails Day this year to help celebrate and promote America's trails. Registration for the Pine Tree Trail hike begins Monday, May 26th.
Here is a short video that shows how the great outdoors has everything you find in cyberspace, such as interactive chat rooms, hand-held gaming devices, portable audio devices, and much much more, so get outside and play! |
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