Why LT no NST? - The Long Trail - Vermont

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#1

So the Arizona Trail is now a National Scenic Trail. As someone who plans to hike the AZT, let me say WOW and GREAT and YES!!!

As someone who has hiked the Long Trail—you know, that much maligned footpath that, oh, just happens to be the oldest backpacking trail in the WORLD—why isn’t also a National Scenic Trail?

Yes, I understand that from Mass to Rutland, the LT is also the Appalachian Trail, so 100 miles is a NST (and the GMC maintains another 50-odd miles to NH).

Have the Green Mountain Club never bothered to get National Scenic Trail status? Have they been denied? Is this some kind of Howard Dean fallout?

Questions! Questions!

But seriously, I’m glad for the AZT, and those that have sweated blood sweat and whatever to get NST status. But I just don’t get why every other trail get it while the Long Trail is, for want of better phrasing, the redheaded stepchild of long distance trails.

I mean, take the North Country Trail. Some may call me a ninny-whiner for mentioning this, but hey and excuse me—IT HASN’T EVEN BEEN FINISHED YET!!! Why does that get NST while the LT doesn’t?

And here’s the bigger picture.

Does being a National Scenic Trail make a trail…better? I thru-hiked the LT last fall, and had a blast on both the southern, NST section, and the northern, non-NST section. To illustrate, I enjoyed Stratton Peak as much as Jay Peak (actually, that’s a lie, cause at the time Jay had a foot of snow and rime ice, but you get the idea…).

I’m happy for the AZT, and those who labor to get it where it is. But I’m just sayin…

Kineo Kid

#2

I don’t have a lot to contribute but this is an interesting topic. Do you think that the NST designation has an adverse affect on trails due to it making them more popular?

What exactly does the NST staus confer: more money, protection, cool signs?:cheers

jalanjalan

#3

The silence is deafening.

That means that a) no one knows, b) no one cares, or c) there all in on the conspiracy.

I see you people, your little white jackets, hiding in the bushes…

I know.

I KNOW!!!

Kineo Kid

#4

Sometimes the internet is not the right tool for the job. Phone the GMC. Who better to hear from than the horse’s mouth?

My wild guess is they simply haven’t bothered to seek NST status, having been co-opted by the ANST for nearly half the LT’s length, and, of the rest, already having in place the sort of funding and organization that would make NST status somewhat moot.

Let us know what you find out.

__

#5

Perhaps it has something to do with land rights and the fact that some of the trail lies on private property. But I imagine the AT and other NSTs also lie on private property as well. Could be that the LT has all the protection that it needs and therefore does not require NST status. I also heard that NST approval goes through Congress, that could be an issue? Not really sure but good question.

Injun M Slim

#6

My understanding is that the trail association asks a legislator to write and present a bill requesting NST status. The AZT NST status was included in an omnibus bill. Once the request is written up no significant changes may be made to the trail but minor reroutes due to fires, water damage, etc.are acceptable.

Perhaps the LT people don’t see any benefit for their trail and don’t want to relinquish some control or follow federal guidelines.

Marcia

#7

Hi, I’m from the government and I’m here to help!

the government