American Hiking Society Staff Celebrate National Trails Day®
On American Hiking’s 33rd annual National Trails Day®, the AHS staff took to the trails! With smiles and stewardship projects, they gave back to the places we all love and left the trails and the outdoor community better than they found them.
Heather:
I had the honor of celebrating American Hiking’s 33rd Annual National Trails Day® in South Lake Tahoe, California with our friends at the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and with Hypershell, American Hiking’s partner and Exclusive Exoskeleton Sponsor of National Trails Day®. It was a well attended event and groups broke out to steward the Tahoe Rim Big Meadow Trail in different ways.
My group hiked four miles out and back and created new drainage areas at a few points along the trail. I also had the opportunity to hike with the first exoskeleton made for the everyday hiker and walker – which was so cool!
Maggie:
We were gifted with the most beautiful, crisp morning to celebrate National Trails Day® in the desert! Alongside National Park rangers and volunteers, we spent the morning at Arches National Park removing invasive species near the popular and beloved Delicate Arch trail.
We learned a lot about native and non-native plants in the area, thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company, and left the space better than we found it — and on National Trails Day® (and every day!), that’s the goal.
Tyler
I celebrated National Trails Day at First Landing State Park in Norfolk, Virginia. This state park marks the location of the landing of the first European settlers to what would become the United States. This location felt meaningful this year as our nation kicks off events celebrating its 250th anniversary of the founding of our country.
The park is filled with trails being enjoyed by hikers, bikers, swimmers, and more! Getting to share some trail magic with visitors by handing out NTD stickers and shirts and sharing about the NTD pledge was the highlight of the day!
Mae:
On National Trails Day, I volunteered with Boulder County Open Space and Mountain Parks to help revitalize the popular South Table Mesa Trailhead. Alongside 50 other volunteers, we re-graveled paths, cleared overgrown foliage, added erosion control, and retreaded several trail sections.
It was a rewarding day of stewardship, connecting with both first-time participants and longtime National Trails Day volunteers.
Karin:
I celebrated National Trails Day® by joining an event in Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., led by AHS Board member Tiffanny Williams. The hike, which followed the Western Ridge and Valley Trail Loop, brought together members of Honeydipped Hikers, friends, and family – including AHS Board Member Nicole Prim and NextGen Alumni Tamika Graham – for trail conversations, a moment of quiet reflection on the shore of Rock Creek, and shared after-hike snacks.
Kristin:
On National Trails Day®, I set out for an early-morning hike on the Better Than Dead trail in Green River, Wyoming, with my rescue dog, Shinobi, by my side. We had the trail nearly to ourselves, save for a single mountain biker who passed by.
The 5-mile loop offered gentle climbs, a few technical turns, and expansive ridge views that quietly served as a reminder of the importance of protecting our public lands.
