National Trails Day, White Mountains – Today is American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, an annual event held on the first Saturday in June. And the intention of this day is to celebrate and create awareness for America's Trail system. It is also a day to recognize the work of all the volunteers who do trail maintenance along America’s trail system.
As environmental photographer and a hiker of the New Hampshire White Mountains, I appreciate all the work that volunteers do along the White Mountains trail system. And to all you adopt-a-trail volunteers, who are truly only volunteering to give back to the White Mountains, THANK YOU.
Without your dedication, the trails really would be in shambles. You take time away from your families and volunteer two or three days a year to make the trails better for all of us. And you expect nothing in return and don't want recognition for your selfless acts of volunteerism. These are characteristics of a true volunteer.
Cleaning waterbars and drainage ditches, scattering that brush off the trail, removing blowdowns, and cutting those stumps (trippers) at ground level may not seem like much but it is the trademark of a well maintained trail. And it also implies that a trail volunteer takes pride in his or her adopt-a-trail responsibilities.
I hope the volunteers working the trail system today inspire the new and old hikers to do the selfless act of volunteering some time in the future. Again, to all the volunteers who are trying to make the White Mountains a better place, thank you for what you do.
To license any of the above images for usage in publications, click on the image. And you can view more images of hiking trails here.
Happy image making..
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Owner of ScenicNH Photography LLC
Erin Paul is a professional photographer, writer, and author who specializes in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the New Hampshire White Mountains. His work is published worldwide, and publication credits include: Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacker Magazine, and The Wilderness Society.
ScenicNH Photography LLC
Specializing in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, Erin Paul’s photography and writing focuses on the history of the White Mountains, and telling the story of abandoned places and forgotten historical sites.