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Key Section Added to Santa Monica Mountains Backbone Trail

2011-09-25T22:26:22Z

One of three critical remaining pieces of land necessary to complete the 65-mile Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has been acquired by the National Park Service.

The five-acre property, acquired in September 2011, is along the Etz Meloy Motorway, and is close to a popular lookout that offers a 360-degree view of the ocean, mountains and inland valleys accessible from the Encinal Canyon Trailhead.

11 Trails in the West Added to National Recreation Trails System

2010-05-29T10:00:00Z

To help mark 2010's National Trails Day on June 5, eight states in the West have had a total of 11 trails designated as National Recreation Trails by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

The new National Recreation Trails in the West, along with 20 additional National Recreation Trails announced on May 25 by Salazar, add more than 716 miles of trails to the National Trails System.

The eight Western states are Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Texas and Washington.

Trails Center Marks 10th Anniversary of National Landscape Conservation System with Exhibit Showcasing Some of the West’s Natural Wonders

2010-05-01T09:00:00Z

Helping to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS), a new exhibit showcasing some of the West's most spectacular landscapes is now on display at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming.

Captured by noted Bureau of Land Management (BLM) photographer Robert Wick, the images feature NLCS sites in Wyoming as well as locations in California, Nevada, Oregon and Utah.

15 Routes in the West Added to America’s Scenic Highways Program

2009-11-03T00:14:01Z

Special scenic highway designations have been announced for 15 routes in the West, reflecting either their historic setting or picturesque qualities that travelers should include in their vacation or holiday itineraries.

The new scenic designations in the West, announced by U. S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, are among 42 new designations to the America's Byways collection, including five All-American Roads (AAR) and 37 National Scenic Byways (NSB) in 26 states. This increases the number of America's Byways to 151.

New Trail Section Opens at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

2009-09-01T02:50:52Z

A five-mile section of trail through the heart of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in northern California linking Brandy Creek Falls Trail with Boulder Creek Falls Trail is now open, thanks to the hard work of volunteer groups and Student Conservation Association (SCA) summer interns.

The new trail has been under construction since the summer of 2007. A 16-person SCA crew of summer interns worked for nine weeks to construct 2.5 miles of the new trail through the rugged Papoose Pass. A celebration of the completion of the new section was held Aug. 15, 2009.

Battle of Glorieta Pass Trail Opens to the Public

2009-07-04T22:44:43Z

Some call it the "Gettysburg of the West" while many others don't even know it exists, but the Battle of Glorieta Pass is one of the few American Civil War battle sites found in the West, and now visitors can enjoy its history from the vantage point of a new public trail.

Part of Pecos National Historical Park (www.nps.gov/peco/) located about 25 miles outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Battle of Glorieta Pass Trail opened to the public June 13, 2009 and is the first public trail within the Glorieta Pass Civil War Battlefield Unit of the park.

Love Mountain Biking? Give Arkansas a Try

2009-06-17T21:40:01Z

Arkansas is quickly gaining a foothold as one of nation's premier spots for mountain biking.

"I think people don't realize quite yet the sheer amount of riding in Arkansas," said Matt McFee, director and lead guide of Hermosa Tours, based in Durango, Colorado. "Most people think 20- to 30-mile ‘epic' days are a thing only to be found further out West, but in fact, they exist in abundance in Arkansas."

4 Western States Have Trails Added to National Register

2009-05-31T22:10:23Z

The federal government has designated 22 trails in 13 states - including trails in California, Kansas, Nebraska and Texas - as newly recognized National Recreation Trails, adding more than 525 miles of trails to the National Trails System.

"From coast to coast, the National Trails System helps connect American families with the wonders of the outdoors," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "These new National Recreation Trails, built through partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, will create new opportunities for fitness and stewardship, while creating a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren."

California Trail Receives National Recognition

2008-11-29T23:27:24Z

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has named the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail as the eighth inductee to the group's Rail-Trail Hall of Fame.

The California trail is featured in Rails to Trails magazine and on RTC's Web site, complete with photos and a detailed ride-along description of its scenic views and important community connections.

Island Trail at Walnut Canyon National Monument Reopens

2008-10-20T02:27:38Z

One of the most popular trails in the West, Island Trail at Walnut Canyon National Monument just outside Flagstaff, Arizona, has reopened after being closed since December 2007 due to rock slides.

Two separate rock falls occurred at Walnut Canyon National Monument, depositing a 49-ton boulder, several other large rocks, and 100 additional tons of debris on the primary trail, causing extensive damage. The rock falls completely blocked and damaged the trail, stairs, handrails, and a bench.