An Ode to Trails | National Trails Day

By: Mary Godnick – Adirondack Council Marketing and Fund Development Assistant
Thursday, May 31, 2018

In the Adirondacks, hiking is the number one most popular form of recreation. There are more than 2,300 miles of trails on the Adirondack Forest Preserve. Each trail brings a unique adventure, along babbling brooks lined with wildflowers and ferns, to a lake or pond where you can see wildlife at work, or to the top of the tallest mountains in New York State for a breathtaking panoramic view.

Saturday, June 2, 2018 is National Trails Day – a day in honor of trails on public lands. The purpose of the day is to get people excited about the benefits of trails and spending time outdoors, as well as to bring awareness to trail issues. In the Adirondacks, trails provide more than just hiking. They give us access to paddling opportunities, geocaching, remote camping, bird watching, biking, skiing, and much more. To many people, they are a place to unplug and connect to their inner sense of wonder. Thank you to our partners and friends that volunteer and work to keep our trails beautiful and safe year-round. 

In honor of National Trails Day, and the incredible places trails can take us in the Adirondacks, we’re sharing a few quotes that reflect the spirit of the Forever Wild adventures trails in the Adirondacks bring us.

Quotes to inspire your time on the trails…

“After a day’s walk everything has twice its usual value.” – George Macauley Trevelyan

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way.” – Dr. Seuss

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” – John Muir

“The beauty of the natural world lies in the details.” – Natalie Angier

“You need special shoes for hiking — and a bit of special soul as well.” – Unknown

“The wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask.” ― Nancy Newhall

With an increase in popularity in hiking in the Adirondacks over the past few years, it’s important to be a good steward for the trails.

Trail Tips for the Adirondacks

1. Follow DEC guidelines and advisories. If the DEC is asking hikers to stay below 2,500 ft because of a muddy trail advisory, do so. Follow all parking, camping, fire, and recreation rules.
2. Leave no trace. Follow the seven Leave No Trace principles and understand that your footprint does make a difference. Carry out what you carry in, leave plants and wildlife alone.
3. Sign the petition to protect Adirondack Wilderness and waters from overuse! State agencies, dedicated staff and partners need new tools and more resources to protect the natural resources and wild character of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, while providing an array of meaningful, enjoyable, sustainable, and inherently educational recreational experiences. Sign the petition here.

Mary joined the Council in August 2016 as the Marketing and Fund Development Assistant. She works with the team to coordinate marketing and fundraising efforts, and develops, manages and implements social media and marketing campaigns to grow the visibility of the Council’s efforts. Mary also works with the Fund Development team in production of materials, mailings and reports to help expand our support to preserve the Park for future generations. Mary grew up in Harford, NY and is a graduate of SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Public Relations. Previously, she worked in digital marketing, search engine optimization and social media management. Outside of work, Mary enjoys cooking, gardening, yoga, and enjoying all that the Adirondack Park has to offer.