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National Trails Day this Saturday, June 2; Boone United Trail will Continue to Forge Path to Howard’s Knob Peak

By Ethan Woodhouse

May 31, 2012. The Boone United Trail will celebrate the American Hiking Society’s 20th Annual National Trails Day this Saturday, June 2 by continuing their efforts to create a trail to the top of Howard’s Knob.

Since early May, Boone United Trail has been forging a path from behind Boone United Methodist Church to the top of Boone’s most well-known peak. The group held their inaugural “Tuesday Trail Night” on May 29. The originally scheduled date was May 22, but the terrain was deemed to muddy for work. This event will occur on a weekly basis and volunteers will meet Tuesday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. in the woodcutting lot located behind the church.

Tools and gloves are supplied, but volunteers are encouraged to bring extra rakes, loppers, pick axes and whatever supplies may be useful. Families and children are also welcome.

According to the United Trail’s website, they will work “in light rain and scattered showers, not heavy rain or lightning.”

After flagging the potential trail throughout the winter months, about 25 volunteers were on-hand for the trail’s inception on May 5. Volunteers from Appalachian State, Blue Ridge Conservancy, Boone United Methodist and other local neighborhoods all participated in the launch. The ASU Recreation Department also donated tools to the effort.

Members of the church and other volunteers see this effort as an effort to “use their backyard in a tangible way to be a good neighbor,” according to Boone United Trail’s Facebook page.

Lenny Cottom will appear before the Boone Board of Adjustment June 7 to request a special use permit for the nature trail.

National Trails Day promises to increase participation in carving out this new trail. All are welcome and work on the path will begin at 9 a.m. and run until approximately noon. Furthering progress on Boone’s newest trail is a perfect way to celebrate America’s largest trails celebration.