In 1993, the American Hiking Society started National Trails Day, which has been held on the first Saturday of June every year since. This is a day dedicated to various public events focused on advocacy and service in support of our trails systems, and it brings together many individuals, federal agencies, and local organizations that support responsible and sustainable recreation on our public lands.
And, of course, on June 5, 2021, GBI personnel were on the ground in significant numbers, supporting trail health and engaging in trash clean-up, removing everything from discarded tents, to sporting equipment, to microwave opens (to say nothing of the many bits of smaller trash.) Work took place at Castle Peak, the Lake Tahoe Rubicon Trail, Calaveras Big Tree State Park, the Angel Lake and Smith Lake area, Grindstone Lake, Jones-White Creek Loop, the Island Lake Trail at Lamoille Canyon, Fay Luther/Lonesome Trail, and elsewhere.
One event of note was the Muscle Powered National Trails Day event in Carson City. This event drew what Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Trails Coordinator, Gregg Berggren, described as “an army of volunteers from GBI!” Most of these volunteers were from the Nevada Conservation Corps. Said Berggren, “We always love the enthusiastic young people that are on your crews.” In all, over 220 hours of time were contributed by volunteers during this event.
The photos below give a good sense of the great work, spirited volunteers, and beautiful locales that made this year’s National Trails Day so special.
For more information on National Trails Day, visit the website of the American Hiking Society: https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/
Top photo courtesy of Norman Cone.
