Jun 09 2012

Maryland Trails Comparison

Rail Trail vs. Canal Trail

This post could also be titled paved trail vs. dirt trail or train trail vs. boat trail or modern trail vs historic trail… Whatever you call it and no matter how this trail comparison pans out, these are two of the world’s best trails. Before we show the trail contrasts, let’s take a look at the trail similarities. Both of these trails are:

Now Let’s look at the differences:

Western Maryland Rail Trail

The Western Maryland Rail Trail basically parallels the C & O Canal Towpath Trail. Both trails are spectacular and when combined, they form an excellent loop bike ride. But despite their similarities, the two trails are actually quite different. Here are some unique characteristics of the Western Maryland Rail Trail:

  • gate on western maryland trail

    western entrance to trail

  • It is an asphalt trail
  • It is currently 23 miles long
  • It goes directly through Hancock, Maryland
  • It is scheduled to be expanded in the future.
  • It is a rail trail.

C & O Canal Towpath Trail

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park provides us with one of America’s greatest canal trails. It is also in Maryland, but has numerous characteristics that set it apart from its sister trail the Western Maryland Rail Trail. Some of the differences include:

  • It is a hard-packed dirt path
  • The C & O Trail is 185 miles long
  • It skirts the town of Hancock, Maryland
  • It will never be expanded
  • It starts near Cumberland, Maryland and ends in Georgetown District of Columbia (Washington D.C. area)
  • It is a canal trail

 

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/06/09/maryland-trails-comparison/

Jun 07 2012

Trail Tours & Active Travel Vacations

Active Travel Tours Are Back on Sidebar

Trail tours are listed in the right-hand sidebar once again… for now. You’ll notice the EventBrite Widget is displayed in the trailsnet sidebar. The two tours currently being featured are both September tours. One is a bike tour for September 2012 and the other is for a Trikke tour in 2013.

Mickelson Trail Bike Tour

fall colors on the bike trail

September on the Mickelson Trail

On September 13, 2012, Trailsnet.com is hosting a Mickelson Trail Trek Tour of the famous South Dakota rail-trail. This tour includes transportation to Custer South Dakota, lodging for three nights, entrance fees for the Mickelson Trek Tour, most meals and local shuttles each day. Participants will be biking on the George S. Mickelson Trail each day for an average of a little over 35 miles per day. The cost of the bike tour is $395 per person and is based on double lodging occupancy. Participants may pay using the EventBrite website for an additional $9 fee or pay directly to Kevin at Trailsnet and waive the additional $9 fee.

Idaho Trail of the Couer d’ alenes Trikke Trail Tour

Idaho trail is world's longest paved trailIn September 2013 (How’s that for planning ahead?) Trailsnet, along with a group of the Southern California Trikke carvers, is offering a huge trail tour for the northern Idaho Trail of the Couer d’ alenes. This tour may also include a bike ride on the Route of the Hiawatha Trail and a Trikke ride on the Spokane Centennial Trail. We’re still hammering out the details of this tour, but it is tentatively scheduled to begin around September 13, 2013. Stay tuned for more details.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/06/07/trail-tours-active-travel-vacations/

Jun 05 2012

National Trails Day

Happy National Trails Day 2012

Trailsnet couldn’t let National Trails Day go by without sending out a big thank you to all trail volunteers, trail users and National Trails Day logotrail lovers. We would also like to share some special National Trail Day links to some of our friends, partners & associates:

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/06/05/national-trails-day/

Jun 04 2012

Dog Walking Etiquette on the Trail

Pet Trailstwo girls walk dog on trail

Thanks to all the responsible dog-walkers on the trail this morning. After my visit to the coffee shop, I decided to take an impromptu bike ride on the loop trail around town. It was a Monday morning, and the trail was packed with trail users. I say that with a smile, because every one of them was friendly, safe and responsible. There were no bike racers, trail hogs or grumpy pedestrians. It was a real mixed bag of trail lovers including one recumbent trike, a few bicyclists, a handful of lone walkers and dozens of dog walkers.

Dogs on Trails (Petiquette)

Today is the perfect day to be writing a post about dog-walking etiquette and rules for walking a dog on the trail. Because everyone was being very responsible and friendly. So what constitutes good dog walking behavior? Here are some simple trail rules for walking your dog responsibly:

  1. Always be aware of other trail users.
  2. Always be in control of your dog whether on a leash or off.
  3. Pick up your dog’s poop and…
  4. Dispose of your dog’s poop; bagging your dog’s poop then leaving that bag beside the trail is way worse than not bagging it at all.
  5. Both you and your dog should be on the same side of the trail. If you’re on one side and your dog is on the other, then the leash is in-between. This means that you and your four-legged-friend are effectively blocking the entire trail. Uncool!!!!!
  6. When you see or hear a bicyclist or trail runner approaching, be kind and pull your dog to one side or at least pull your dog close to you. Once again, don’t be a trail hog. (This rule applies to all trail users including group cyclists/runners/walkers. Don’t monopolize the trail. Other users have a right to pass you going in either direction, unimpeded.)
  7. Your dog is awesome, but don’t assume everyone loves your dog as much as you do. Never let your dog jump on, lick, or even sniff a stranger. Some people are afraid of dogs, others are allergic and, believe it or not, some just plain don’t like dogs. Whether or not you can relate, that’s their right. I think my dog is pretty darned lovable, but I can certainly understand how others might not share this feeling.

Once again, thanks to all the responsible and friendly dog owners on the trails this morning. I appreciate both you and your dogs. I’m glad you were out enjoying the trails and being considerate of others who were enjoying the trails.

BTW, if you have any other suggestions or rules for pets on trails, please share them in the comments below. As I witnessed this morning, we can all get along on the trail, with a little trail etiquette, petiquette and common sense.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/06/04/dog-walking-etiquette-on-the-trail/

Jun 03 2012

Aerobic Cruiser Recumbent Bicycle

Comfortable Recumbent Design

Our trail vehicle of the day is the Aerobic Cruiser. Because it is an electric-assist vehicle, it may not be completely legal on all trails, but I’m not sure it’s something you’d have to worry about. Take a look at the Aerobic Cruiser recumbent bike in the video below and see if you can notice if it’s an electric bike. What is more noticeable is how comfortable the Aerobic Cruiser looks. The adjustable seat would allow bike riders to change the backrest to fit personal preferences and would be especially good for people with back problems.

Hybrid Cycle

The Aerobic Cruiser website refers to their recumbent bike as a human/electric hybrid cycle. They also call it “the world’s most sophisticated electric bicycle.” For certain, it looks as if it would be a sweet trail cycle. I look forward to test driving the Aerobic Cruiser sometime soon. When I do, I’ll give you further details on trailsnet.com. In the meantime, if anyone out there has ridden or owned an Aerobic Cruiser, please share your comments below.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/06/03/aerobic-cruiser-recumbent-bicycle/

Jun 01 2012

National Scenic Trails

Scenic Trails Are Recreational Trails

spring flowers abound along the mount vernon trail in Virginia USA.

Mount Vernon Trail is part of the Potomac Heritage Trail

National Historic Trails was the topic of yesterday’s blog post, and we discovered that although important and educational, National Historic Trails are not necessarily recreational trails; therefore, they are not included in the trailsnet network of trails.

Definition of National Scenic Trails

“National Scenic Trails are continuous protected scenic corridors that offer superlative recreational experiences.” This is the official definition of a National Scenic Trail as found on the National Trails System Map and Guide. The word recreational is important in this definition because that is what qualifies these magnificent trails for inclusion in trailsnet’s network of trails on the internet. So they are included on trailsnet because they are recreational trails; they are loved by trailsnet because they are extremely long trails. They are what we refer to as destination trails. They are trails that people would be willing to travel to and maybe even plan vacations around.

List of National Scenic Trails

trail bridge with fall foliage

The GAP Trail is part of Potomac Heritage Trail also.

So without further ado, here’s your list of National Scenic Trails along with a link to each trail website so you can start researching your next trail vacation. Happy trails to you!!

  • Appalachian National Scenic Trail – 2,175 miles – This is the grandaddy of them all and runs from Maine to Georgia.
  • Arizona National Scenic Trail – 817 miles – This is one of the few scenic trails open to most non-motorized vehicles including bicycles. It traverses the entire state of Arizona from north to south.
  • Continental Divide National Scenic Trail – 3,200 miles – Like the Appalachian Trail, this trail spends a lot of time perched on mountain tops as it spans the United States from Canada to Mexico. It is a hikers paradise with many sections open to mountain bikes.
  • Florida National Scenic Trail – 1,400 miles – Spanning the length of Florida, the Florida Trail visits Everglades, forests and open countryside.
  • Ice Age National Scenic Trail – 1,000 miles – From Lake Michigan to St. Croix River, the Ice Age Trail provides a footpath across the northeastern portion of the United States.
  • Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail – 65 – Although one of the shorter scenic trails, the Natchez Trace Trail is long on beautiful landscapes. Once an Indian trade route it developed into a popular trail for early explorers, soldiers and boatmen.
  • New England National Scenic Trail – 220 miles – This hiking path provides both New England scenery and a link to 39 Northeastern communities.
  • North Country National Scenic Trail – 4,200 miles – The longest of America’s scenic trails, the North Country Trail connects seven different states in its journey from New York’s Adirondack Mountains to North Dakota’s Missouri River.
  • Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail – 2,650 miles – Made famous in Eric Ryback’s classic journey novel, the Pacific Crest Trail extends from Canada to Mexico along Cascade and Sierra Nevada Mountains and includes the states of Washington, Oregon & California.
  • Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail – 1,200 – One of our newer scenic trails, the Pacific Northwest Trail treks through Washington, Idaho & Montana not far from the Canadian border.
  • Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail – 1,100 miles – Such classic trails as the C & O Canal Towpath Trail, the Mount Vernon Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage trail.

great plains trail logoThanks to Steve Myers of Longmont, Colorado, we may one day have another National Scenic Trail known as the Great Plains Trail. This Trail will run from the grasslands of Montana to the Guadalupe Mountains of Western Texas and include trail sections in Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/06/01/national-scenic-trails/