News Release
Photo by Frank Kos.
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Contact: Johnny Carawan, (610) 715-1101
National trails enthusiast and lifelong explorer Frank Kos has accomplished a remarkable feat: visiting 30 out of 32 of our nation's national scenic and historic trails, each documented with a photo beside the trail’s official signage. What makes his journey extraordinary is his long-standing commitment not only to exploring segments of each trail, but also to creating a personal archive of memories through photographs and stories shared in a hand-crafted scrapbook chronicling decades of travel across America.
His achievement stands out even more when viewed in the context of the National Trails System, which includes 32 designated trails, national scenic trails and national historic trails spanning over 58,000 miles. These interconnected pathways traverse a mosaic of protected lands from national parks and forests to battlefields and heritage corridors, providing Americans with unparalleled opportunities for exploration, education and connection to the nation's natural and historical landscapes.
On June 15, 2011, Frank visited the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail (WARO) as part of his quest. At the time, however, the trail had minimal signage and he was unable to complete his tradition of photographing himself beside an official trail sign. That photo and that moment remained missing from his otherwise extensive and colorful trail scrapbook.
Determined to complete his journey, Frank stayed in contact with trail staff beginning in January 2023. Thanks to a signing initiative spearheaded by the Virginia Department of Transportation in 2023–2024, signs were installed across key areas along the Virginia segment of the trail. Frank seized the opportunity on April 26 and flew from Wisconsin to Yorktown, Virginia, to finally take his long-awaited photo beside one of the newly installed trail signs, located at Colonial National Historical Park, the southern terminus of the trail.
Frank’s scrapbook captures a rich tapestry of his national trail experiences, including:
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Juan Bautista de Anza NHT – 1/5/1999, with his wife at Tumacácori, AZ
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California NHT – 9/3/2001, with nephews at Golden Gate, San Francisco, CA
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Santa Monica Mountains NRA (Juan Bautista de Anza) – 7/26/2010, trail marker in Thousand Oaks, CA
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Continental Divide NST – 1/1/2006, Hachita, NM
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Iditarod NHT – 3/11/2018, at Safety, AK, with snow machine guide
Now nearly complete, Frank’s WARO page represents far more than a photo; it embodies years of dedication, a love for public lands, and the power of signage and storytelling in connecting people to the past.
Spanning approximately 680 miles from Newport, Rhode Island, to Yorktown, Virginia, the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail commemorates the largest troop movement of the American Revolution. The route reflects the historic 1781 journey of General George Washington and French General Rochambeau, who led American and French forces over land and sea to ultimately entrap British General Cornwallis at Yorktown, securing a pivotal victory and American independence.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Washington-Rochambeau Trail stands at the heart of the commemoration, reminding us of the alliances, struggles and triumphs that birthed a new nation.
“Frank’s dedication to visiting our national trails and capturing his picture next to each one with its trail sign speaks volumes about the personal connections people make with our shared history and public lands,” said Trail Administrator Johnny Carawan of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail. “We were honored to help complete his journey in Yorktown, especially as the trail plays such a vital role in telling the story of America’s fight for independence and its enduring international alliances.”
“Frank’s journey is a testament to the lasting power of our national trails, not only as corridors of history and nature, but as sources of personal meaning and inspiration,” said Carawan.
-www.nps.gov-
About the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail (WARO): Administered by the National Park Service, WARO spans nine states and the District of Columbia, linking hundreds of sites connected to the decisive 1781 allied campaign. For further information, please contact Trail Administrator Johnny Carawan at (610) 715-1101 or by email to johnny_carawan@nps.gov.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 433 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.
Last updated: June 3, 2025