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Feb 23 2019

‘Add a Trail’ Feature Working Again

By trailsnet in trail information
02/23/2019

Trail View Working Again Too

You can once again add new trails and fully view your favorite trails on Trailsnet.com. Sorry it took so long to get the website back up and working again, but website maintenance costs $, and Trailsnet has no source of funding except user donations, and those have been quite sparse over the years. Currently, about 98% of Trailsnet’s funding comes from the pockets of one retired teacher who loves trails and wants to see those with similar interests sharing our favorite trails with each other.

Please Add Your Favorite Trails

Now that we’re back up and functioning again, please feel free to add your favorite trails to Trailsnet and encourage your friends, biking partners, hiking pals, running compatriots and backpacking buddies to do the same. It’s easy to do… I think. Having said that, please feel free to use the contact feature on this website to let me know what you think. Do I have too many required fields in the ‘Add a New Trail’ section? Am I missing some important fields? Heck, let’s take it a step further. If you could do anything to improve Trailsnet.com, what would you do? I’m open to suggestions because…

Trailsnet Will Be Starting a Crowdfunding Campaign in 2020

I would like to completely revamp the Trailsnet website to make it more user friendly, make it look better and make it more streamlined. Needless to say, that costs more than my meager income can afford or I would have done it long ago. So I will be starting a fundraising campaign to raise money for these website upgrades. I have already started seeking bids from website development companies as the first step in this process. Once I’ve figured out how much it will cost, I will then start putting the campaign together. As always, I welcome your input regarding this project. If you have any suggestions about the Trailsnet website, crowdfunding campaigns or technical advice about how to improve Trailsnet.com, I’d enjoy hearing from you. Here are some of the items that will NOT change about Trailsnet:

Trailsnet will still be open for all types of trails and trail users. That is one of the aspects that makes us unique. We are not a website for just certain specific demographics. We’re for all trail fans.
Trailsnet will be a website for trails worldwide. We may have short-term campaigns that focus on certain areas temporarily, but we want to be a source of trail information for users throughout the world.
Trailsnet will continue to be a strong advocate for trails as a viable alternative to roads for transportation, recreation and commuting. We believe in the environmental, safety and health benefits of trails and feel that trails are by far the most economical mode of transportation. Sometimes the old/original solutions are the best.

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Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2019/02/23/add-a-trail-feature-working-again/

Jan 09 2019

Border Trail Instead of Border Wall

By trailsnet in long-distance trails
01/09/2019

Bipartisan Solution to Border Wall Impasse

Believe it or not, there is a remarkable solution to the entire border wall conflict. It would solve numerous problems and would be agreeable to nearly everyone. Rather than constructing a border wall, we should build a border trail. Here’s a quick bullet-list for the benefits of a Border Trail:

It would allow President Trump to get the $6 billion that he has requested for border security.
It would provide much needed security and surveillance options.
It would provide numerous benefits for the environment.
It would provide benefits for outdoor recreationalists.
It would provide benefits that would be agreeable to both major political parties as well as Independents.
It would be a healthy solution to a problem that is causing much unnecessary strife in America.

What is the Border Trail?

The Border Trail would provide security, surveillance, emergency access and recreational opportunities for an area that would welcome all four of these benefits. It would be a trail built along (slightly north of) the entire length of the United States and Mexico border. The trail would be built using the $6 billion that President Trump has requested. For the general public, the trail would be accessible by hikers, bicyclists and (hopefully) equestrians. For members of the border patrol, U.S. Military and emergency personnel, the trail would also be accessible by motor vehicles. Cameras, motion detectors and other surveillance devices would be installed along the length of the trail as a means of monitoring the border. In other words, the trail would provide a combination of surveillance measures and 24/7 enhanced border access that would allow for much more security than is currently available.

Border Trail Details

At this point, you may be asking, so is it a road or a trail? The answer is yes. For the general public it is a trail. For official border security and safety, it will be used mainly as an access road. Routine patrols of the trail/border could be performed using any of the modalities mentioned above: foot, bike, electric bike, horse or ATV. However, for maintenance, special needs or emergencies, the trail/road could and would be accessed using cars, trucks or other vehicles as needed. This is not uncommon for a recreational trail to be accessed by maintenance or emergency vehicles. Many trails are utilized as vital resources for everything from fire lines and maintenance to emergency vehicle access. And, in this case, the business of border security would have precedence over recreational users. But for the vast majority of the time, the trail would be an amazing year-round recreational asset.

Recreational Use of the Border Trail

Once again, the #1 purpose for the Border Trail is national security and safety. But it has the added benefit of providing a wonderful recreational resource also. The Border Trail would be accessible, during daylight hours, for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians to utilize for both day trips and for longer thru-hikes. In fact, one of the unique side-benefits of the trail is that it could connect three of the greatest long-distance trails in the world. It would allow thru-hikers to link the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Great Plains Trail. Currently, the Pacific Northwest Trail provides a northern connection between the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trails. Another northern trail dubbed the Sea-to-Sea Route would connect the Pacific Northwest Trail with the North Country Trail and would also provide a northern connector for the Great Plains Trail. By adding the Border Trail to these epic trail networks, thru-hikers would be provided with a mega double loop trail (sounds a bit like a carnival ride) and allow them to continuously hike all three of western America’s three greatest long-distance trails.

Border Trail Solution

This is neither a partisan nor an extreme solution. It is one that we can all support. As is often the case, both sides of this debate have valid issues. But the time for arguments and government shut-downs is over. It’s time for solutions. The Border Trail is just such a solution. Wouldn’t it be amazing if people from both ends of the spectrum (and especially those in the middle) came together and demanded a solution such as the Border Trail? We can do it. We really can. Of course there is not enough time or space for specific details about how the Border Trail could be used as a security option along our southern border. Those details require the combined efforts and voices of our border professionals, military leaders, legislators and President. But we can solve this problem. Let’s start by sharing this article with everyone you know: politicians, friends, neighbors, journalists, members of the trail communities, bicyclists, hikers, equestrians, etc. Real solutions start with real dialogue. Let the conversations begin!!

Kevin Purdy is the founder of Trailsnet.com and serves on the Board of Directors for the Great Plains Trail Alliance. He is an unaffiliated voter and a fan of bipartisan solutions. Thanks to Luke Jordan for providing information about the Pacific Northwest Trail, the Sea-to-Sea Route and the North Country Trail.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2019/01/09/border-trail-instead-of-border-wall/

Dec 11 2018

Best Christmas Gift for 2018 Outdoor Enthusiasts

By trailsnet in backpacking, bicycles, bikes, trail information
12/11/2018

Indoor Gifts for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Outdoor enthusiasts don’t spend all day every day outside, although they may want to. So we have a gift to recommend for those brief indoor moments. Our best Christmas joke book for 2018 is the newest Dad Jokes book by Ralph lane entitled Dad Jokes Christmas Gift Book. It’s the perfect size for fitting in bicycle panniers, daypacks and Christmas stockings. It addition to being festive and hilarious, it’s also a quick read. But don’t worry if they finish the book before the calendar turns to December 26. It’s one of those rare books that’s fun to read over and over again on the trail, in a yurt or on the can. Ralph Lane has done it again. This book has gotten great Christmas book reviews on Best Holiday Books and Gift Basket Information website.

Versatile Trekking Poles for Men & Women

These Vive Trekking poles have ice and snow tips, so they’re good for all season outdoor excursions. They can be used for hiking in the summer and snowshoeing & cross-country skiing in the winter. They are easy to collapse, easy to store and include an antishock system that is easy on your arms as you trek along the trail. Best of all, they’re affordable and sturdy.

Christmas Gifts for Trail Bikers

Find the best trail biking supplies right here on Trailsnet.com. As of 2018, you can find the best trail products including trail bikes, panniers, bicycle clothing and more. And remember, whenever you choose products you see on Trailsnet, you support our network of trails on the internet.

Christmas Gifts for Backpackers

Find the best Christmas gifts for backpackers right here on Trailsnet. We have men’s backpacks, women’s backpacks, backpacking tents, sleeping bags, backpacking food & backpacking stoves. Make this a merry Christmas for the outdoor enthusiast in your life.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2018/12/11/best-christmas-gift-for-2018-outdoor-enthusiasts/

Nov 05 2018

Great Plains Trail Making Great Strides

By trailsnet in American Trails, appalachian trail, backpacking trails, best bicycle trails, best hiking trails, best trails, biking routes, great plains trail, long-distance trails, longer hiking trail
11/05/2018

America’s Newest Long Distance Trail

You’ve all heard of the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Many of you, however, are aware of America’s latest and greatest long distance trail. The Great Plains Trail plows directly through the heartland of America. Upon completion, the trail will be over 2,200 miles long and will have traversed:

map of Great Plains Trail

7 states
3 National Parks
3 National Monuments
10 National Forests/Grasslands
5 State High Points
15 State Parks

A Truly Multi-modal Trail

The Great Plains Trail is different in so many ways. The first and most obvious difference between the Great Plains Trail is the terrain. While the other three main north/south long distance trails in America travel through mostly mountainous terrain, the Great Plains Trail is on the plains. It is also one of the most historically diverse trails highlighting everything from amazing dinosaur tracks along the Purgatory River in Colorado to historic forts in Nebraska. Along the trail, users will discover fossils, waterfalls, deep canyons, shaded forests and panoramic views. And fortunately, Great Plains Trail travelers will have three options for getting from Texas to Canada. The trail will be available to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Whereas most of the major trails are only available to hikers, the Great Plains Trail will be a truly multi-modal experience allowing diverse groups of people to discover the history, terrain and cultures of the Great Plains.

Improve Mountain Biking

Great Plains Trail Update

Although the Great Plains Trail is still a work in progress, great strides (literally and figuratively) have been made in the past three years. Luke (Strider) Jordan was the first person to thru-hike the Great Plains Trail in 2016. As announced in The Great Plains Trail Newsletter, Board members for the Great Plains Trail Alliance have begun taking part in symposiums, conferences and trail-building activities. One of the most exciting events has been the inauguration of the first segment of trail in Nebraska. Three Great Plains Trail members toured the area with local trail advocates and members of the Forest Service. The Great Plains Trail has also begun a fund raising drive that includes numerous levels of funding up to and including the Founders Club for those who donate $1,000 or more. After Strider’s inaugural thru-hike of the trail, there has been increased interest among the long-distance hiking community. There has also been interest among the equestrian community for a thru-ride of the trail. As of yet, no members of the mountain biking community have expressed interest in being the first to complete the trail on bicycle. That will probably be the next big announcement of 2019. In the meantime, you can look forward to more exciting trail news and developments from the Board of Directors for The Great Plains Trail Alliance after their upcoming December 1 GPTA Board of Directors meeting.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2018/11/05/great-plains-trail-making-great-strides/

Oct 18 2018

Women’s Backpacks

By trailsnet in backpacking, product review, product reviews, trail equipment, trail information, trail products
10/18/2018

Trailsnet's Best Women's Backpacks

When you select your trail gear from Trailsnet.com, you’re getting the best outdoor trail products plus you’re helping support a free network of trails on the internet. Click on any of the images below to get more information about backpacks for females.