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National Trails Day June 6 2009
National Trails Day falls on Saturday, June 6, and the folks at Shenandoah National Park have plenty of ways for you to celebrate.
For starters, the the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club is inviting new hikers and experienced backpackers to learn new trail skills at PATC Trail Patrol’s “Beyond the Trailhead” event at Shenandoah's Byrd Visitor Center (milepost 51 on Skyline Drive). There will be hikes, demonstrations, and presentations throughout the day.
The event is designed to give novice hikers the information they need to leave their cars behind and venture beyond the trailhead to enjoy this area’s numerous hiking and nature trails. Even experienced backpackers can learn new skills at the information tables and discussion groups on Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, hiking techniques, and equipment. Hands-on demonstrations of traditional tools, such as crosscut saws, used to maintain trails will be offered by Shenandoah National Park trail crew.
A variety of hikes guided by experienced Trail Patrol members will be offered for people of all ages and experience levels: hikes suitable for families with children; easy, moderate, and advanced hikes for adults. Hikers will need to meet at the registration table at Byrd Visitor Center 15 minutes before the hike time to sign in. Hikers should wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the season, and bring food and plenty of water.
For a breakdown on the hiking options, check out this page.
Pre-registration is encouraged but you may also register on June 6 at Byrd Visitor Center. To pre-register, go to this page and look for the email link below the chart of hikes. Send your email to PATC by June 4. Please include your name and which hike you wish to join.
A presentation about thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail Reflections, will be offered as part of the National Trails Day event. Maryland backpackers Georgia Harris and Randy Motz will share their 2006 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail by describing what trail life is like, relating what it takes to accomplish a thru-hike, and showing photos of their journey. The one hour presentation will be given three times:
* Saturday, June 6 at 1:00 p.m. at the Byrd Visitor Center auditorium
* Saturday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. at the Big Meadows amphitheater
* Sunday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m. at the Byrd Visitor Center auditorium
PATC and Trail Patrol are charging no fees to attend or participate in any hike, workshop, or demonstration connected with the event; however, there is a $15-per-car entrance fee to the park (good for seven days). Byrd Visitor Center lies within the park at milepost 51 on Skyline Drive between the Thornton Gap entrance on Highway 211 and the Swift Run Gap entrance on Highway 33.
http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com...nal-trails-day
http://www.nps.gov/shen/
For starters, the the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club is inviting new hikers and experienced backpackers to learn new trail skills at PATC Trail Patrol’s “Beyond the Trailhead” event at Shenandoah's Byrd Visitor Center (milepost 51 on Skyline Drive). There will be hikes, demonstrations, and presentations throughout the day.
The event is designed to give novice hikers the information they need to leave their cars behind and venture beyond the trailhead to enjoy this area’s numerous hiking and nature trails. Even experienced backpackers can learn new skills at the information tables and discussion groups on Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, hiking techniques, and equipment. Hands-on demonstrations of traditional tools, such as crosscut saws, used to maintain trails will be offered by Shenandoah National Park trail crew.
A variety of hikes guided by experienced Trail Patrol members will be offered for people of all ages and experience levels: hikes suitable for families with children; easy, moderate, and advanced hikes for adults. Hikers will need to meet at the registration table at Byrd Visitor Center 15 minutes before the hike time to sign in. Hikers should wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the season, and bring food and plenty of water.
For a breakdown on the hiking options, check out this page.
Pre-registration is encouraged but you may also register on June 6 at Byrd Visitor Center. To pre-register, go to this page and look for the email link below the chart of hikes. Send your email to PATC by June 4. Please include your name and which hike you wish to join.
A presentation about thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail Reflections, will be offered as part of the National Trails Day event. Maryland backpackers Georgia Harris and Randy Motz will share their 2006 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail by describing what trail life is like, relating what it takes to accomplish a thru-hike, and showing photos of their journey. The one hour presentation will be given three times:
* Saturday, June 6 at 1:00 p.m. at the Byrd Visitor Center auditorium
* Saturday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. at the Big Meadows amphitheater
* Sunday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m. at the Byrd Visitor Center auditorium
PATC and Trail Patrol are charging no fees to attend or participate in any hike, workshop, or demonstration connected with the event; however, there is a $15-per-car entrance fee to the park (good for seven days). Byrd Visitor Center lies within the park at milepost 51 on Skyline Drive between the Thornton Gap entrance on Highway 211 and the Swift Run Gap entrance on Highway 33.
http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com...nal-trails-day
http://www.nps.gov/shen/