National Trails Day 2009 will be June 6.

Shenandoah National Park and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club celebrates National Trails Day on the first Saturday in June. New hikers and experienced backpackers alike are invited to learn new trail skills and practice old ones at the Beyond the Trailhead event at the Byrd Visitor Center, milepost 51 on Skyline Drive. Come participate in hikes, demonstrations, and presentations throughout the day.

A variety of hikes guided by experienced Trail Patrol members will be offered for people of all ages and experience levels: hikes suitable for families with children and easy, moderate, and advanced hikes for adults. Hikers will need to meet at the registration table at Byrd Visitor Center 15 minutes before the hike time to sign in. Hikers should wear footwear and clothing for the season, and bring plenty of water.

Hikes leaving from Byrd Visitor Center:

Pre-registration is encouraged. To pre-register, send an email to PATC by June 4. Please include your name and which hike you wish to join. 

A presentation about thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail Reflections, will be offered as part of the National Trails Day event. Maryland backpackers Georgia Harris and Randy Motz will share their 2006 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail by describing what trail life is like, relating what it takes to accomplish a thru-hike, and showing photos of their journey. The one hour presentation will be given three times:

• Saturday, June 6 at 1:00 p.m. at the Byrd Visitor Center auditorium
• Saturday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. at the Big Meadows amphitheater
• Sunday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m. at the Byrd Visitor Center auditorium.