ABC of Hiking News Feed

Annual ADTS Hiker Reunion at Manitou Springs

Members of the American Discovery Trail Society (ADTS) and their families will enjoy a weekend of fun in Manitou Springs in Colorado, September 18 to 21.

The four-day event will consist of membership meeting, board of directors meeting, the first-ever ADTS Hiker Reunion and other activities.

On the opening day, attendees will explore the Pikes Peak area such as the Air Force Academy and Olympic Training Center by hiking and biking over 100 miles of trails. On Friday, the highlights include the "Pikes Peak" with a hike or cog railway ride to the summit and a chuckwagon supper and cowboy stage show at the Flying W Ranch.

On September 19, the annual membership meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m to be succeeded by the annual board of directors meeting. Afterwards, an ADT "Alumni" Hiker Reunion and dinner and melodrama will be held at the Iron Springs Chateau. On the final day, participants will spend day in historic Cripple Creek, "The World's Greatest Gold Camp," with tours of colorful aspens and mines and a hike on the ADT. For reservation, call 1-800-938-5991 or e-mail trails007@aol.com

For more details on this news, please visit www.discoverytrail.org.

Hike The Highlands Festival Opens on September 12

Interested hikers still have a few remaining days to register for the upcoming 5th Annual Hike the Highlands Festival to be held on Sept. 12-21, 2008 in Ingonish, Nova Scotia. This hiking festival located along the Cabot Trail, on Cape Breton Island will feature 24 guided hikes over 10 days, evening presentations, opening and closing ceremonies and a bonfire.

New this year, hikers will be able to buy a combined pass � the Hike the Highlands Festival Pass along with a Cape Breton Highlands National Park entry pass. A park permit is required for use of all facilities in the national park, including hiking. The pass is valid until March 31, 2009 and includes use of the groomed cross-country ski trails in the park.

Hike the Highlands Festival is being recognized by Nova Scotia Dept. of Tourism, Culture & Heritage as a Nova Scotia Signature Festival & Event in 2008.

For more details on this festival, please visit www.hikethehighlandsfestival.com.

Frontenac Challenge 2008 Kicks Off Today

The Friends of Frontenac Park, in cooperation with Frontenac Provincial Park, will launch today the 16th Frontenac Challenge, an annual event which involves walking and hiking all 160 km of the splendid Frontenac Provincial Park's trail. The hiking challenge will culminate on October 31.

Interested parties can pick up the registration form from the Frontenac Provincial Park Office and obtain a park permit. Successful participants will be awarded with a certificate of accomplishment at the Frontenac Challenge celebratory BBQ on November 9.

For other information, contact Peter Dawson of Frontenac Provincial Park at frontenacpark@frontenacpark.ca. You can also view the map and directions at www.frontenacpark.ca.

For more details on this news, please visit www.celebrationoftrails.ca.

Exeter Hiker Reaches Maine

Adam Crosier, the 29-year old hiker of Exeter Township, has beaten the odds after successfully hiking across the whole Appalachian Trail, crossing 14 states and walking 2,175 miles from Georgia to Maine.

Crosier, who started off his voyage last March on Springer Mountain, is now included in the rank of few elite hikers who have walked the entire Appalachian Trail.

According to Appalachian Trail Conservancy, more than three-quarters of the people who start out in Georgia to hike the entire trail back out before reaching Maine. In 2006, for instance, about 1,150 hikers attempted to trek the trail but only 334 people made it to the end.

For more details on this news, please visit www.readingeagle.com.

New Hiking Trail in Sherborn, Massachusetts

According to town officials in Sherborn, Massachusetts, the Sherborn Highway Department recently cleared a trail that would link the streets of Greenwood and Washington. This trail measures about a quarter of mile and is open to hikers. Blazing the said trail, which connects to the Bailey Trail, was made possible by the easement which was granted by the Buntin family.

Town officials also stated that the Conservation Commission is currently working on installing the sign which will be placed at the new trail entrance that can be found across 21 Greenwood Street.

For more details on this news, please visit www.boston.com.