American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® 2014

   

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® will bring together outdoor enthusiasts across the country on Saturday, June 7, 2014, for the 22^nd annual celebration of America's magnificent trail system and its countless supporters and volunteers. Over 2,000 nationwide events will take place including trail maintenance, hiking, paddling, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, running, trail celebrations and more! 

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and the Friends of Hagerman will participate in National Trails Day this year, hosting a Grand Slam Hike at the Refuge.   The Grand Slam challenge is to walk all five trails for a total of 17.5 miles.  Hikers must register at Visitor Center between 8 am and 4 pm Saturday, June 7 and complete all trails in time to check in at the Visitor Center by 5 pm Sunday, June 8, to earn free HNWR water bottle and certificate.  There is no registration fee.

The Grand Slam offers the perfect opportunity to showcase the five trails at the Refuge.  Maps and descriptions of each trail can be found on both the HNWR website and Friends of Hagerman site.  Printed trail guides are available in the Visitor Center at the Refuge.

In addition, families can enjoy a Bluebird Fun Walk, approximately ½ mile round trip,  along the universally accessible loop of Harris Creek Trail.  Informative and fun Bluebird Facts will be displayed along the trail on Saturday, June 7, from 9 am – 4 pm, weather permitting.  Children completing the fun walk can obtain certificates of completion at the Visitor Center that day.

For those who are planning their first trip to the Refuge, Hagerman is located at 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman.  It is four miles west of HWY 289, on Refuge Road.  The phone number is 903 786 2826.

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® is a nationally recognized trail awareness program that occurs annually on the first Saturday of June and inspires the public to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in outdoor activities, clinics, and trail stewardship projects.  National Trails Day® is a registered trademark of American Hiking Society.

Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience.  To learn more about American Hiking Society and its mission and programs, visit www.AmericanHiking.org or call (301) 565-6704.

Join American Hiking Society, Hagerman NWR and the Friends of Hagerman, and the National Trails Day® 2014 sponsors: Adventure Medical Kits, Columbia, Gregory, and The North Face, for the Grand Slam Hike or a trail event near you.