Each year, National Trails Day is held the first Saturday of June. Events are held in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. It is America's largest celebration of trails and the outdoors, gathering people from all walks of life to enjoy our nation’s trail system. This year National Trails Day is Saturday, June 1.
North Country National Scenic Trail is a premier pathway that travels through seven states (New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and North Dakota) and stretches from Crown Point in eastern New York State to Lake Sakakawea in western North Dakota. Built and maintained primarily by volunteers of the North Country Trail Association, its planned route of 4,650 miles will make it the longest of the country's 11 National Scenic Trails. The North Country Trail in the Allegheny National Forest (NCT in the ANF) extends from the New York border through McKean, Warren and Forest counties. The NCT in the ANF Chapter maintains almost 100 miles of trail before it enters Clarion County. The Allegheny Outdoor Club offers a patch to hikers completing the 96 miles of the NCT in the ANF.
The NCT in the ANF has a work day planned for National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1, at 9:00 am. The crews will be working at Chappel Bay near PA Route 321, south of the Bradford Ranger’s Station, along the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir. This year we will be building a short bog bridge of native material and rerouting a small section of the trail away from a wet area. Work should be completed in one day. All tools and hard hats will be provided by the ANF Chapter of the NCT for crews on both projects. New volunteers are always welcome. Volunteers should bring lunch and water. Gloves and sturdy footwear are recommended. Come prepared to work and have fun. If you or your organization or business would like to get involved, please contact Mike or Tina Toole, Trail Coordinators of the NCT in the ANF, at 814-723-4714 or email at nct001@verizon.net. This event is open to the public.
The mission of the North Country Trail Association is to develop, maintain, preserve and promote the North Country National Scenic Trail through a national network of volunteers, chapters, partner organizations and government agencies. The Association achieves its mission by creating, encouraging and supporting programs of public education, membership services, recreational opportunities and resources, and corridor protection in keeping with its Vision for the Trail. Are you interested in becoming a part of the longest trail in America? Visit www.northcountrytrail.org. For more local information, contact Keith W. Klos, Chapter President of the NCT in the ANF at 8320 Route 337, Tidioute, Pa, 16351. Telephone: 814-484-7420 or email nct001@verizon.net.