National Trails Day is a hands-on affair

By Marty Basch

The first Saturday in June is typically a day filled with yard work. Clip, cut, rake and remove. Its just what you do.At least thats what over 100,000 outdoor enthusiasts from hikers to mountain bikers do on National Trails Day, coming up on June 4. Look at it as an extension of the backyard. Instead of cleaning up there, youre giving back in the places you play.Across the country and right here at home, events hosted by local and statewide trail clubs, city, state and federal public land or health agencies, community groups, businesses and other nonprofit organizations take place. Hike, bike, ride a horse, too.Organized by the American Hiking Society, the 13th National Trails Day is themed Take the Path to a Healthier You. Basically, the spin is that using a trail is a fine alternative to typical exercise routines.The great thing about trails is that they can be enjoyed by all segments of the population, said American Hiking Society President Mary Margaret Sloan. From young children to senior citizens and casual walkers to avid hikers, trails offer all Americans a healthy, enjoyable way to spend time outside.Theres plenty of opportunity for that.The Appalachian Mountain Clubs reach extends throughout the Northeast, maintaining some 1,400 miles of trails, including 300 miles on the Appalachian Trail. "'Get out, get dirty, give back,' is a popular mantra among trail volunteers and, invariably, people tell us they get great feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment from helping to maintain the trails they love to hike on," says AMC information coordinator Rob Burbank.In New Hampshire, there are a number of opportunities for sweat and muscle contributions. A section of the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway will get a touch-up and volunteers are being coaxed with free pizza afterwards and the chance to do some free car camping.Lop, pull and clip invasive plants at Piscataquog River Park in West Manchester. Up in the White Mountains, its time to cut brush, build cairns and remove blowdowns on a section of popular Davis Path, which begins from a Crawford Notch suspension bridge along the Saco and ends at the Mount Washington summit. Lunch is on top of Mount Crawford. A free post-work cookout will be held at Camp Dodge in Pinkham Notch.Another Crawford Notch trail, the Mount Willard Trail, will see some attention. Under the direction of an AMC trail crew, volunteers will install rock steps and drainage. They, too, can hit that free barbecue in the notch next door. A rundown of activities, including trail maintenance opportunities throughout the summer, can be found at the clubs website, www.outdoors.org.In the Northern Presidentials, the Randolph Mountain Club plans a major relocation of the Vyron D. Lowe Trail, named after the Randolph guide and founder of Lowes Service Station and Store on Route Two. RMC trail crews will fell trees and cut brush in advance of volunteers who will remove the cut logs and brush. The new route is a gentle climb to Lookout Ledge on Randolph Mountain which serves up a panorama of the valley, King Ravine, northern peaks and the Carter Range. More information is at the clubs website, www.randolphmountainclub.org.Vermonts Mount Mansfield gets some sprucing up from the Green Mountain Club. About 25 people are needed at Underhill State Park to prepare the trails up the peak for summer travel. Branches will be trimmed back, waterbars cleaned up and some tools will be provided. There is more information at their refurbished website, www.greenmountainclub.org.National Trails Day with the Green Mountain Club brings greater awareness of the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail system in Vermont, as well as other hiking trails in the state, and points to the many benefits and pleasures they can bring, including improved health and fitness, said GMC education coordinator Pete Anthos-Ketcham. Many newcomers to NTD in Vermont become dedicated to the trails and their preservation once they learn more and realize the enormous amount of volunteer hours needed to maintain the state's premier nonmotorized recreation resource."The Upper Valley Trails Alliance, with local trail groups, is organizing over a dozen activities on both sides of the Connecticut, culminating with a meal and raffle. Help shape a new section of trail along Mink Brook in Hanover by building the Wheelock Trail. Theyll be hauling rocks in Cardigan State Park. In Plainfield, establish a new connector trail from Farnum Trails parking to the French's Ledges Trails. In Vermont, theyll be removing invasive barberry in the Norwich town nature area and doing trail work on the Gile Mountain trails. In Woodstock, do some work on parts of the Appalachian Trail. A full list of activities can be had by e-mailing trails@valley.net.Anyone who is out cleaning trails should bring a lunch, water and work gloves, and wear appropriate clothing. Some volunteers also bring hand tools.Who says work cant be fun?Marty Basch can be reached through www.martybasch.com.