El Camino Real de What? What do you mean National Trail? What are National Trails?   National Trails are trails that the U.S. Congress has said are important to the American people.

 There are two kinds of National Trails: 1) Scenic Trails 2) Historic Trails What are National Trails?   1) Scenic Trails are: National scenic trails … [are] extended trails … to provide for maximum outdoor recreation potential and for the conservation and enjoyment of the nationally significant scenic, historic, natural, or cultural qualities of the areas through which such trails may pass.

 2) Historic Trails are: National historic trails … [are] extended trails which follow as closely as possible and practicable the original trails or routes of travel of national historic significance. National Trails System  Scenic Trails   Examples of Scenic Trails:

1) Appalachian Trail - AKA: The Green Tunnel - Considered “Grand Daddy” of National Trails System - 2,174 miles long

Scenic Trails   Examples of Scenic Trails:

1) Continental Divide - AKA: The King of Trails - Considered “Most Difficult” to follow of National Trails System - 3,100 miles long

Scenic Trails   Examples of Scenic Trails:

1) Pacific Crest Trail - AKA: The PCT - Considered trail with most elevation gain - 2,650 miles long

Historic Trails   Examples of Historic Trails:

1) Pony Express Trail - Used as a mail route - In operation for 18 months during 1860 and 1861 - 1,800 miles long

Historic Trails   Examples of Historic Trails:

1) Trail of Tears - Used to remove Cherokee and other tribes from southern states to Oklahoma - Removal took place in 1838 and 1839 - 4,900 miles long

Historic Trails   Examples of Historic Trails:

1) El Camino Real de los Tejas - Used as a route of settlement for and modern day . - Period of Historic Significance 1680 to 1845 - 2,580 miles long

El Camino Real de los Tejas 

El Camino Real de los Tejas  Connect a series of missions and posts between Monclova, and  Primary overland route from the to the Red River Valley in Louisiana  During the Spanish Colonial Period from 1690-1821

Places to See along El Camino Real   Jesús Treviño Fort y Rancho – Near Laredo, Texas

Interior of Fort

Exterior of Fort

Places to See along El Camino Real   Missions and the Alamo – San Antonio, Texas

Mission Concepción

The Alamo

Places to See along El Camino Real   Mission Espíritu Santo y la Bahía – Goliad, Texas

Presidio la Bahía

Mission Espíritu Santo

Places to See along El Camino Real   Mission Tejas and the Old Stone Fort –

Casa de Piedra (Old Stone Fort) – Nacogdoches, Texas

Mission Tejas – Mission Tejas State Park, Houston County Places to See along El Camino Real   River Crossings and Trail Segments – Across Texas

Apache Pass, Milam County Mission Tejas State Park, Houston County McKinney Falls State Park, Austin Texas

Conclusion: Where Can Trails Take You?   The Highest Places in the United States

Mount Whitney – Highest point in continental U.S.

Mount Whitney – Off of the Pacific Crest Trail Conclusion: Where Can Trails Take You?   Most Remote Places in the United States

Continental Divide Trail – New Mexico

Continental Divide Trail - Colorado

Conclusion: Where Can Trails Take You?   Trails can take you to the past …

Scene along El Camino Real from Main Plaza in San Antonio, Texas Conclusion: Where Can Trails Take You?   Trails can take you to the future … Spaceport USA – El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail, New Mexico

Conclusion: Where Can Trails Take You?   Trails can take you wherever you want to go in life…

Steven Gonzales walking with a girl named María along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro in Chihuahua, México