America's National Scenic Trail System

Let's start with the easy question. Have you ever heard of the Appalachian Trail (AT)? I'd be surprised if you answered "no" to that one. How about the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) or the Pacific Crest (PCT) Trail? Still probably a high percentage of positive responses would be heard.

"Um, there are five more?" you ask. Where are they? Hold on... let's talk about what they are first!

In 1968, president Lyndon Johnson signed the National Trails Act, thus creating three categories of federally authorized trails. National Recreation Trails provide a variety of uses to people in or near urban areas. They are generally shorter trails with locally focused users. National Historic Trails are collections of locations having to do with one historic theme. Most recently in the public consciousness has been the Lewis and Clark Trail, as it celebrated the 200th anniversary of the expedition. These trails are followed in a car, preferably with some kind of guidebook or audio commentary to provide enlightenment.

The third category, National Scenic Trails (NSTs), are trails in the traditional sense of the word; you can put your feet on them and hike long distances on them. The AT, which had been around since the 1920's was immediately recognized as belonging to this category, and the Pacific Crest Trail was also authorized in 1968. The CDT was added in 1978. Trails can only be added to the category by congressional authorization. National Scenic Trails are established "for the conservation and enjoyment of the nationally significant scenic, historic, natural, or cultural qualities of the areas through which such trails may pass."

These three trails follow distinct north-south mountain ridges transecting the nation, with their names serving as geographical descriptions of their locations. Collectively they are known as the Triple Crown of the NSTs. Each is between 2000 and 3000 miles long.