Adopt-A-Trail

Have you ever been on a hiking trail and come across a log that was smack-dab in the middle of the trail? As you found your way around it, did you think to yourself, “Why doesn’t someone come and take care of this obstacle?” And as an afterthought you mused, “Gosh, if I had an axe or a chainsaw, I’d take care of it for sure, but I don’t, so oh well…” If you fit this description, mark June 4^th as the day you pack your handy-dandy hatchet and make good on your intentions to make a trail a more pleasant experience.

“Why June 4^th?” you ask? Because it’s National Trails Day 2011, silly! There are a few activities happening all over Utah in honor of this day. You don’t have to participate in an organized event, but you may want to. If you’re the lone wolf type and you’re like me (obsessed with keeping the outdoors litter-free), you can simply take a hike on your favorite trail and carry some helpful tools with you, such as a bag to throw trash into. Or you could take a shovel or rake to clear the trail of loose rocks and excessive dirt.

Most people love to hike because they can get away from civilization and into the beauty of nature. Nobody likes an unkempt trail, though. A beer bottle can quickly change your mood while hiking, just as easily as a washed-out trail. Humans and nature alike can wreak havoc on trails. However, nature doesn’t care; nature wants nothing more than to reclaim the bit of trampled path that cuts through her otherwise beautiful landscape. Humans, on the other hand, want easy access to those beautiful vistas and hidden meadows, and so we need to continue to take care of the trails if we want that easy access.

Consider adopting a trail this year on June 4^th. Think about which trail you like best: the short one near the waterfall; or the long one that takes you deep into the red rocks. After making your selection, decide what you’re going to do that goes above and beyond simply enjoying that trail: look into creating a stairway to make it easier for less capable hikers to access a particularly steep part of the trail; or help encourage revegetation by placing signs near trampled sections that aren’t part of the trail. After doing that you’ll have to think about when you want to reveal to the trail that you are actually its adoptive caretaker. Don’t worry about a major freak-out; most trails will be happy to have someone who cares about them. You may have to explain to the trail that you will die well before it will, but that you will try to ensure that there will always be someone there to care for it. All that matters in the end is that someone cares enough to keep the trail beautiful for others.

I hope you find a trail that is compatible with you. June 4^th should not be the only day you show it some special care. Think about that day like New Year’s when we all make those resolutions to be better people for the rest of the year. June 4^th can act as a resolution-creation day for outdoor goals. Enjoy the trail you choose and remember to never stop loving it.

For more information on National Trails Day 2011 and some activities and ideas visit: http://www.americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/