A Publication Of The Partnership For The National Trails .

Scenic Day Hikes Along theNez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo)National Historic TrailThe Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail (NPNHT) includes nearly3,000 miles of Auto Tour routes. Those routes include Mainstream TravelRoutes which follow all-weather roads, Adventurous Travel Routes, whichallow travelers the option of following the route of the events of the summerof 1877 more closely, and Rugged Travel Routes, where travelers are takeneven closer to the actual sites associated with the 1877 war and flight.Auto Tour guides have been created for all eight segments of the NPNHT.During the past several years the NPNHT staff has been busy updating theseAuto Tour guides. The guides are available as pamphlets, with maps andgraphics providing a wide range of information about the NPNHT. They canbe found at visitor facilities along the entire length of the NPNHT, can bedownloaded from the NPNHT website, or mailed upon request.As part of the recent updates to the Auto Tour guides, the NPNHT staff hasmade a concerted effort to include opportunities for people to get out oftheir vehicles and enjoy hiking opportunities along the NPNHT. The followingis a sampling of scenic day hikes visitors can enjoy along the NPNHT.Nez Perce National Historical ParkWhite Bird Battlefield TrailNear Grangeville, Idaho.Difficulty Level: ModerateThe battlefield provides an opportunity forthose who wish to experience the area upclose. Visitors can hike a 3-mile trail throughthe battlefield with interpretive signsdetailing the battle. The trailhead begins at1,700 feet and climbs an additional 460 feet inelevation.Photo above: White Bird Battlefield by RogerPeterson, USFS.Wallowa Whitman National Forest/Hells Canyon NationalRecreation Area Trail # 1727Near Imnaha, Oregon. Difficulty Level: ModerateHikers have an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Chief Joseph and hispeople. The trail offers outstanding views and opportunities to view elk,deer, and bighorn sheep, as well as other kinds of wildlife. The prickly pearcactus is abundant. The cactus is generally in full bloom during the spring.People are often dropped off at the trailhead and meet their driver at DugBar. Photo at right: Hells Canyon Prickly Pear by Keith Thurlkill, USFS.Bitterroot National Forest Trail #406Near Sula, Montana. Difficulty Level: Most DifficultThis section of the NPNHT is 3.1 miles long. The trailgives the ambitious hiker an idea of the forbiddingterrain. Nez Perce, among others, stripped thebark from ponderosa pine trees to eat the sweetcambium, or inner bark. Scarred trees are stillvisible in the area. Captain William Clark, of theLewis and Clark expedition, and his party also usedthis trail in 1806.Photo far left: Along the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.Photo near left: Bitterroot National Forest. Bothphotos by Roger Peterson, USFS.44

Partnerships and LWCF Funding Enable Acquisitions Along Pacific Crest NSTCascade-Siskiyou National MonumentPyramid PeakThrough partnerships between the Pacific Crest TrailAssociation (PCTA) and the Conservation Fund, 930acres were added to the Cascade Siskiyou Monumentin March 2014 and are now being managed by the BLM.The Conservation Fund purchased the land formerlyowned by the Hancock Timber Resource Group withmonies from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.In September 2013, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) successfully helpedthe U.S. Forest Service acquire and conserve the 480-acre Pyramid Peakparcel, located in the Central Cascade Mountains, through the Landand Water Conservation Fund. Pyramid Peak provides commandingvistas of volcanic peaks and glaciers and is surrounded by the Mt. BakerSnoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forest, both popular and easilyaccessible from Seattle.Left: CascadeSiskiyouNationalForest byTom Kaplan,courtesy of theConservationFund.The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, locatedat an intersection between the Cascade, Siskiyou,and Klamath mountain ranges in Southern Oregon, isrenowned for its biodiversity and beauty. The PacificCrest Trail runs right through the national monument,offering hikers a chance to enjoy the magnificent area.With the addition of the newly-acquired 930 acres,the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument now spans61,700 acres.Parcel acquisition information courtesy of theConservation Fund.The Pyramid Peak acquisition follows a series of successful landprotection initiatives along the PCT coordinated by the Trust for PublicLand, including (but not limited to): 713 acres encompassing a portion of the summit of Mt. Eddy, whichwas added to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in October 2012. 808 acres in Kittitas County,Washington, which was added to Mt.Baker-Snoqualmie and WenatcheeNational Forests in September 2012. 835 acres of mature forestlandand lakeshore habitat leading upto the summit of the Sierra Buttes,the northernmost major graniteoutcropping in the Sierra Nevadarange, was acquired in April 2011.Right: Pyramid Peak, courtesy of TPL.Parcel acquisition information courtesyof the Trust for Public Land.Ice Age Trail Alliance Becomes First NSHT Stewardship Organization toBecome Accredited Land TrustIn February 2014, the Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA) was awardedland trust accreditation from the Land Trust AccreditationCommission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance.Accredited land trusts can display the official accreditation seal(at right) to demonstrate to the public that they meet nationalexcellence standards. Currently 254 land trusts around the USare accredited; the IATA is the first of the NSHT stewardshippartners to recieve this accreditation.The accreditation process is rigorous, asorganizations have to submit detaileddocumentation and undergo an extensive reviewof their land acquisition processes. IATA Directorof Land Conservation Kevin Thusius played apivotal role in guiding the organization throughthe strenuous accreditation effort, which the IATAundertook as a way to strengthen the organizationand enhance long term acquisition planning. IATAExecutive Director Mike Wollmer notes that “Now,as an accredited land trust, the Alliance has earneda new level of credibility with its current and futuredonors, partners and supporters.”About the Land Trust AllianceThe Land Trust Alliance is a nationalconservation group that works toincrease the pace and quality ofconservation by advocating favorabletax policies, training land trusts inbest practices, and working to ensurethe permanence of conservation inthe face of continuing threats. TheAlliance publishes Land Trust Standardsand Practices and provides financialand administrative support to theCommission. It has established anendowment to help ensure the successof the accreditation program and keepit affordable for land trusts of all sizesto participate in accreditation. Moreinformation can be found at:www.landtrustalliance.org.5

Potomac Heritage NST Partnerships Enable Pedestrian, Bicycle Route LinkageBetween Railway Station, National Wildlife Refuge, and National Scenic Trail RouteThe Eastern Lands Division of the Federal Highway Administrationannounced in mid-March funding in the amount of 585,000from the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) for design andconstruction of a 1.2-mile segment of the Potomac HeritageNST between and within a Virginia Railway Express station andFeatherstone National Wildlife Refuge. While contributing tocompletion of the Potomac Heritage NST, an evolving networkspanning five physiographic provinces, the project is also a lesson inplanning, perseverance, and local use of a NST designation.Survey data for the most recent edition of the Virginia OutdoorsPlan (VOP), which serves as the statewide comprehensive outdoorrecreation plan, places “trails for hiking and walking,” “trails forbicycling,” and “natural areas” as the top three “most-needed”forms of outdoor recreation in the region. The project for whichfunds were awarded will address all three needs.The Trail has been referenced and included in many plans, includingthe County Comprehensive Plan and amendments and the last threeeditions of the Virginia Outdoors Plan, in which the Trail has becomeincreasingly more prominent. Trail partners have also completedplans specific to the Trail in Prince William County. A 2012 “gapAbove: FWS photo of the Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge.analysis” of the Trail corridor in Northern Virginia, completed bystaff of local agencies, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, the Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, the NPS, the USFish & Wildlife Service, and volunteers recognized the project as a priority. As important, County Supervisor Principi convened a Trailcommittee with ties to the County trails and “blueways” council.Local staff and the County District Supervisor had successfully eliminated many legal and administrative hurdles,negotiating with attorneys for CSX Corporation, Virginia Railway Express, and others to establish trail continuity. Withthis foundation and a NPS staff review of potential projects within the Trail corridor, the principals who would becomeinvolved in development of the application reviewed the FLAP criteria and the scope of the project in mid-February2013 and the Department of Parks and Recreation agreed to serve as the applicant and to dedicate staff time. The NPSregional transportation program coordinator provided technical assistance to develop the application, which benefittedfrom inter-agency coordination, many letters of support, and the importance of public access to natural areas.Article and photos submitted by Don Briggs, Superintendent, Potomac Heritage NST.Newly Released America’s Great Hiking TrailsShowcases All Eleven National Scenic TrailsThe PNTS is delighted to announce theculmination of years of effort by hiker-authorKaren Berger and hiker-photographer BartSmith in America’s Great Hiking Trails, whichprovides an in-depth look at the nationalscenic trails of the National Trails System.Each featured trail has its own section,complete with a map and photo gallery.Karen Berger invites the reader on anexploration of what makes each one ofthe most magnificent hiking experiencesanywhere in the world. Trail historiesaccompany detailed hiker-friendlydescriptions that highlight areas ofnote, along with suggestions for shorterweekend and day hikes. The stunningphotographs take the reader on a visualadventure conducted by Bart Smith, thefirst person to hike all eleven nationalscenic trails from end to end. AMERICA’SGREAT HIKING TRAILS is perfect foranyone interested in outdoor recreationand conservation.AMERICA’S GREAT HIKINGTRAILSBy Karen BergerPhotography by Bart SmithForeword by Bill McKibbenIn association with thePartnership for the NationalTrails System.A percentage of proceeds tobenefit the Partnership forthe National Trails System.Rizzoli New YorkSeptember 2014PRICE: 50.00 USISBN: 978-0-7893-2741-3Hardcover / 336 pages6

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness ActArticle Information adapted from www.wilderness.net and www.wilderness50th.org.Four years before his signing of the NationalTrails System Act, in 1964, President LyndonB. Johnson signed into law the WildernessAct, establishing the National WildernessPreservation System (NWPS) and settingaside 9.1 million acres of wildlands for theuse and benefit of the American people.Since then, Congress has added over 100million acres to this unique land preservationsystem.The NWPS offers many direct and indirectbenefits, such as those relating to ecological,geological, scientific, educational, scenic,spiritual, economic, recreational, historical,and cultural uses and activities. The758 wilderness areas within the NWPSare managed by all four Federal landmanagement agencies: the Bureau of LandManagement, the Fish and Wildlife Service,the US Forest Service, and the National ParkService.Signing of the 1964 Wilderness Act, by PresidentLyndon Johnson. NPS Photo.A BRIEF HISTORYThe signing of the Wilderness Act was the product of decades of effort by multipleconservation groups around the country that had worked to increase public awareness ofthe need to protect the environment and preserve natural areas in perpetuity. Pioneeringenvironmental advocates Aldo Leopold, Bob Marshall, and Arthur Carhart had succeeded inraising enough awareness and support for the idea of wilderness that various policies andwilderness-oriented designations began as early as 1924 at local administrative levels of theFederal agencies.The leader of the Wilderness Society, Howard Zahniser, saw a need for a national system inwhich congressionally designated areas would be recognized and managed with consistentprinciples and approaches. Zahniser constantly advocated for wilderness areas and personallylobbied every member in Congress. He composed 66 separate drafts of the Wilderness Act andguided it thorugh 18 Congressional Hearings over the 8 years despite rapidly decling health thattook his life just months before it was signed by President Johnson.WHAT MAKES WILDERNESS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PUBLIC LANDS?Wilderness designation is the highest form of protection the government can give to a publicland. No roads, vehicles, or permanent structures are allowed in designated wilderness. Awilderness designation also prohibits activities like logging or mining. A wilderness designationhelps ensure treasured lands from coast to coast are protected for future generations.Like national scenic and historic trails, individual wilderness areas are designated by Congressthrough the same types of grassroots local campaigns and citizen support that have enabledthe trails of the NTS. Once an area of public land has been designated, the boundaries of thatWilderness area can not be modified without Congressional approval.WILDERNESS 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONA national team, called Wilderness50, is a coalition of federal agencies, nonprofit organizations,academic institutions, and other wilderness user groups whose purpose is to plan andimplement hundreds of local, regional, and national educational events, projects, programs,and products to raise awareness of wilderness during the 50th anniversary year.The national celebration will take place in October 2014, in Albuquerque, New Mexico,including the National Wilderness Conference and the Wilderness50 “Get Wild” Festival, whichtogether are expected to draw over 5,000 participants.7THE WILDERNESS ACT AT A GLANCE 758 Wilderness Areas 109,504,348 acres, half ofwhich are in Alaska 2.7% of contiguous U.S. isprotected as Wilderness(about the size of Minnesota) Managed by 4 agencies: USFS,FWS, BLM, and NPSDEFINITION OF WILDERNESSACCORDING TO THEWILDERNESS ACT:“.lands designated for preservationand protection in their naturalcondition.”“.an area where the earth and itscommunity of life are untrammeledby man.”“.an area of undeveloped federalland retaining its primeval characterand influence, without permanentimprovement or human habitation.”“.generally appears to have beenaffected primarily by the forces ofnature, with the imprint of man’swork substantially unnoticeable.”“.has outstanding opportunitiesfor solitude or a primitive andunconfined type of recreation.”“.shall be devoted to the publicpurposes of recreation, scenic,scientific, educational, conservationand historic use.”

The Wilderness Society - The Non-profitpartner of America’s Wilderness AreasPasayten Wilderness, which is traversed by the Pacific Northwest NST. Photo by Jon Knechtel.WILDERNESS & THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYTEMTHE WILDERNESS SOCIETYThe National Trails System and the National WildernessPreservation System share many common themes. Likenational scenic and historic trails, wilderness areas preservelarge landscapes, offer additional layers of protectionfor public lands, and provide magnificent recreationopportunities for those looking to enjoy pristine naturalareas unchanged by development. Due to their shared goalsand values, whenever possible, national trails run throughor along wildernessareas. Of the 758Wilderness Areas along NSHTswilderness areas,Ala Kahakai1123 are currentlyAppalachian NST25traversed byArizona NST8national scenic andContinental Divide NST 26historic trails. TheirIditarod NHT1commonalities, boththematically andJuan Bautista de Anza NHT 2geographically, createLewis and Clark NHT3a great opportuniityNorth Country3for combiningPacific Crest NST48stewardship andPacific Northwest NST6advocacy efforts.Just as the National Scenic and Historic Trailshave the PNTS, and National Recreation Trailshave American Trails, the Wilderness Landshave The Wilderness Society to advocatefor and educate about America’s wildlands.The Wilderness Society’s efforts to protect pristine wildernessareas began in 1935, long before the Wilderness Act was signed,and the organization has played a pivotal role in raising support forprotection of public lands, including the Wilderness Act.TOTAL123MORE RESOURCESwww.wilderness.net offers an extensive collection ofresources, including an interactive GIS map and detailed data ofwilderness areas, policy, management, and training information. Thesite is managed in partnership between the Arthur Carhart NationalWilderness Training Center, the Aldo Leopold Wilderness ResearchInstitute, and the Wilderness Institute at the University of Montana.www.wilderness50th.org highlights the partnerships workingtogether to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.It provides a map and listing of all local, regional, and national 50thanniversary events that are occurring nationwide, including theNational Wilderness Conference.8

“Walking Off the War” with Warrior HikeAdapted with permission from information at www.warriorhike.org.A new program, Warrior Hike, expands on an idea longunderstood--nature as healing. The first person to complete athrough-hike of the Appalachian NST, Earl Shaeffer, was a veteranreturning from World War

Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Santa Fe National Historic Trail Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Trail of Tears National