Jan 22 2013

Notify Someone When You Hit the Trails

bike riders looking at trail map

trail navigation

Stay Found is First Trail Rule

“When you’re going out for a trail hike, trail run, backpacking trip or bike ride, you should always let someone know where you’re’ going and when you expect to be back, especially when you’re going on a solo adventure.” Said the world’s biggest hypocrite. I’d say about half the time I’m on a trail journey, I break this rule. (Or for you optimists out there, half the time I follow the rule.)

Make Sure I Return App

It’s such a pain to remember to tell someone all that information. And let’s face it, sometimes it feels as if you’re imposing on people or burdening them with “being in charge” of making sure you get back safe from your trail adventure. But it just got a little easier. Thanks to Tim Shettlesworth at the All Outdoor Forum, you can now “set it and forget it.” Well technically you won’t want to forget it, but my point is that it just got easier to stay found. He has added a Make Sure I Return function to his website.

Notify Someone That You’re Going to Be Out on the Trail…

… without really notifying them. It’s a great idea. Whenever you’re going on a trail outing, you visit the Make Sure I Return App. Once there, you fill out a form that tells where you’re going and set a timer for when you expect to be back. You also leave your [cell preferably] phone number and – most important – the email address of who you want to be contacted. Then, if you don’t return at a certain time that person will get an email notifying them of your no-show. In many cases, they’ll call you and you’ll say, “Oops, I was out on the trail a little longer than I expected” or “Oops, I forgot to shut off the timer when I got back.” But in the worst case scenario, they may have to send out the search party to look for you. Actually, that isn’t the worse case scenario. The worst case scenario is if you didn’t use the Make Sure I Return App and no one knew you were missing.

So be safe. Let someone know where you’re going or use modern technology to do the job for you. Make sure you set the app up correctly when you venture onto the trail and turn off the timer when you return. You will find similar apps out there for iPhones, iPads & Androids. But before you look at those other ones, visit the All Outdoor Forum and take a look at Tim’s potentially life-saving web page. The life you save, may be your own.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/22/notify-someone-when-you-hit-the-trails/

Jan 21 2013

Rails With Trails Movement

Add Trails Alongside New Railroad Lines

rails with trail petition

rails with trail petition

Some things just make a lot of sense. I’m all in favor of adding new rail lines. But as long as they’re building those lines, it makes perfect sense to build trails alongside them. And I’m not the only one who feels that way. There’s a national group that is promoting Rails With Trails.

Petition for Adding Rails With Trails

I wanted to draw your attention to this important “Rails With Trails” petition that I recently signed:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/rwt/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=system&utm_campaign=Send%2Bto%2BFriend

I really think this is an important cause, and I’d like to encourage you to add your signature, too. It’s free and takes just a few seconds of your time.

Thanks!

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/21/rails-with-trails-movement/

Jan 20 2013

Is Damascus, Virginia the Real Trail Town?

Seven Trails, One Town

trail town u.s.a.

Trail Town?

Many towns call themselves “Trail Town USA.” But for my money, Damascus, Virginia has a pretty good claim to the title. For one thing, seven major trails come together in Damascus. Six of those trails come together in the parking lot of Mojoes Trailside Coffee House. Can you imagine the stories you’d hear if you sat in that little coffee house each day. It sounds like my kind of place.

List of Trails That Merge in Damascus Virginia

So I was bound & determined to find out which seven trails came together in Damascus. It took a bit of research, but finally, on the Virginia Bike website, I found the fabled seven trails of Damascus, VA. Without further ado and in no particular order, here’s the trail list:

I’m not saying that Hancock, Maryland isn’t a strong contender for the title of Trail Town USA. After all, it is the home to both the C & O Canal Towpath Trail and the Western Maryland Rail Trail. Those are two awesome trails. And it’s not far from the Appalachian Trail and some other wonderful bike paths and hiking trails. But seven trails? That’s kind of hard to beat.

Feel free to leave your opinion about what you think is the greatest trail town. Glenwood Springs, CO, Huntington Beach, CA, Cumberland, MD? They all have great trails and are fun places to visit. We’d love to hear what you think.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/20/is-damascus-virginia-the-real-trail-town/

Jan 18 2013

Trail Hiking & Backpacking Boost Creativity

Trails Versus Tech: Trails Win

hiker with walking stick and daypack

trail hikers more creative

Recent research shows that backpackers scored 50% better on creativity tests after spending four days on the trail disconnected from electronic gadgets. WebMD article reveals that connecting to nature and disconnecting from electrical distractions provides a pretty significant boost in creative juices.

Is there no end to the ways that trails improve our lives?

Apparently not. So turn off your cell phone and find a good hiking trail. You’ll have fun, get in shape, save money and become more creative.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/18/trail-hiking-backpacking-boost-creativity/

Jan 16 2013

Trail Classes Offered By Ontario Trails Council

trail college diploma

trail school graduate

School of Trails

How would you like to major in trails at college? Where do I sign up? Since I’ve already got my quota of degrees, it’s too late for me. But if you’re interested in a trails education program, the Ontario Trails Council has just the syllabus for you.

Ontario Trails Training and Education Classes

Kudus to the folks at Ontario Trails for developing a recreational trails education program that contains a series of courses geared toward improving the knowledge and skills of trail professionals and trail volunteers who are interested in the field of trail design, maintenance and operations. Some examples of the courses they offer include:

  • Trail Construction and Maintenance
  • Trail Design
  • Trail Law and Risk Management
  • Trail Legislation
  • Trail Marketing and Promotion
  • Trail Safety
  • Trail Volunteering

The courses listed above are only half of the ones available through the Ontario Recreational Trails Education Program. The courses are offered as standalone classes, as part of a specialty package or as a complete trails education program. The Ontario Trails Council has worked in conjunction with the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Parks Association and Algonquin College to be able to provide this wonderful program of trail training. The program is even able to offer some on-line learning opportunities as part of their overall course offering. For a complete list of courses and course descriptions, visit the OntarioTrails website. Visit the Ontario Trails course calendar for information on when classes are offered.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/16/trail-classes/

Jan 14 2013

Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway

Idaho Byway Becomes Oregon Trail

trail map for Owyhee byway

Owyhee Byway map

Thanks to Jim for posting a new trail on Trailsnet.com. Jim posted a description & map of the Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway. An excerpt from the trail post follows:

The Byway is 103 miles long and consists of gravel and paved roads that are suitable for passenger vehicles. This region provides access to one of the best remaining examples of the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem and habitat for…

Jim also provided a link for the Bike Touring News website. For those of us who are Trailsnet fans, bike touring is one of our active travel passions. So check out both the Owyhee trail and the Bike Touring News website.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/14/owyhee-uplands-backcountry-byway/