Special 50th Anniversary Trail Trek to Honor the National Trails System Act of 1968
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Fifty years ago, the ever-evolving national park idea broadened once again. In 1968, Congress passed and President Lyndon Johnson signed the National Trails System Act. This landmark piece of legislation of 1968 meant that America would also start protecting long, linear parts of our landscape “for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.” This program aims to connect participants with public lands, and in turn with America’s natural and cultural heritage.
With the establishment of the National Trails Act in 1968, America was given a gift: the creation and protection of scenic and recreation trails, which celebrate outdoor adventure and our own heritage.
On Saturday, June 30, special “pioneer characters” and interpreters will inspire us with a unique trail experience at numerous stopping points along our journey. Once trekkers leave the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, our first stop will be at the new historical overlook located off the West Belt Loop by-pass – WY 257. Here we will learn of the events surrounding the Battle of Red Buttes in 1865. From there trekkers will proceed on County Roads 308 and 319 with stops at Bessemer Bend, Iron Creek Oil Field, Avenue of Rocks, Willow Springs, Prospect Hill, and Horse Creek Pony Express Station. Several guest re-enactors along the route will greet our presence to share rousing and moving stories associated with the pioneer trails. Our journey will culminate at the Devil’s Gate overlook located off Wyoming State Highway 220 approximately 65 miles west of Casper. Here we will end our journey with a special presentation dedicated to trail preservationist and advocate, Ezra Meeker.
Trekkers will meet in the parking lot of the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center at 8:00 a.m. and depart immediately after. Please bring sack lunches, drinks, sunscreen, and wear appropriate clothing and apparel. Be prepared for inclement weather as the day unfolds. Transportation to these sites will not be provided, and carpooling is highly encouraged!
If it is raining on the day of the trek, the county roads become impassable and the trek will be cancelled.
For more information and /or to register for this or any trail trek, please contact Jason Vlcan at 307-261-7783.
The NHTIC is a public-private partnership between the BLM and the National Historic Trails Center Foundation. The facility is located at 1501 N. Poplar Street, Casper, Wyoming.
As we approach the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act, there are 30 congressionally designated National Scenic and Historic Trails in the National Trails System. National Historic Trails are extended trails that closely follow a historic trail or route of travel that is of national significance. The BLM now protects nearly 6,000 miles of 18 designated trails in 15 States, and the BLM also manages thousands of miles of trails under study for potential designation.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.