TIME TO HIT THE TRAIL!
Today is National Trails Day, one of my favorite days of the year.
As the executive director of Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards, I think of every day as National Trails Day, but for most people, it is a welcome excuse to put off the weekend errands and hit the trail. With hundreds of miles of trails in Tennessee and more than 200,000 miles nationwide, I promise you won’t run out of options.
One of my favorite places to go is the Cherokee National Forest where visitors can hike along flowing streams, view incredible wildlife and fish in the clear streams. There are a few special places within the national forest that really take the cake.
Nestled along the Tennessee/North Carolina border rests roughly 19,000 acres of land that deserves to be preserved as wilderness. The area includes some of the best trails I have hiked in Tennessee, including 4.5 miles of the Appalachian Trail and nearly 15 miles of the Benton MacKaye Trail.
These places could be protected by the Tennessee Wilderness Act, first introduced by Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker nearly eight years ago. Since then, Congressman Phil Roe has introduced similar legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Passing this legislation would ensure that these historic and time-tested trails will be conserved for future generations to enjoy.
As you hike, you will not be alone. People come from near and far to enjoy Tennessee’s big backyard. The Cherokee National Forest offers hiking, and so much more, like camping, swimming, horseback riding, paddling, hunting and fishing. These activities, while really fun, translate into real dollars and cents in surrounding communities. A study from the Outdoor Industry Association found that outdoor recreation in Tennessee generates $8.2 billion in consumer spending each year and supports 83,000 direct jobs. So, not only do our trails provide a lot of enjoyment, they are a vital part of our communities’ livelihoods.
Maintaining trails is our bread and butter here at Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards. Ensuring visitors can access the great outdoors is a priority, but well-cared for trails also help safeguard Tennessee’s valuable water. Our state’s cleanest, coolest water begins in the proposed-wilderness areas within the Cherokee National Forest. This includes the headwaters of the Bald River, which joins the Tellico River. This in turn supports the local Tennessee outdoor recreation economy.
As a kid, my parents instilled in me a love for the outdoors. After my first camping trip in the Pisgah National Forest, I was hooked. That experience ultimately led me to volunteer for Tennessee Wild — a diverse coalition working to designate wilderness within the Cherokee National Forest. While I work for SAWS today, I watch with pride as the coalition continues to grow. Today, the support runs deep with veterans, small business owners, local elected officials, sportsmen, outdoor recreation enthusiasts and neighbors who love our shared, natural heritage.
The proposed wilderness within the Cherokee National Forest includes some of my favorite hikes. Sens. Alexander and Corker and Congressman Roe should be commended for their steadfast leadership, but it is time for the rest of Congress to act. Unfortunately, Congress is only in session less than 75 days this year, and the clock is ticking. I join the Tennessee Wild Coalition in urging Congress to pass the Tennessee Wilderness Act in 2016.
In the meantime, act like every day is National Trails Day. Put aside your laundry, cleaning and grocery shopping and get out there and enjoy Tennessee’s great outdoors. See you on the trail!
Bill Hodge is executive director of Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards.