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MY PUBLIC LANDS Junior Ranger

Find Your Path! Discover America’s National Historic, Scenic, and Recreation Trails Oregon Trail, Wyoming Iditarod Trail, Alaska What’s Inside Public Lands Belong to You! 2 The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a federal government These are Your agency that cares for public lands. These lands are managed Trails, America! for many different uses and belong to all Americans. BLM lands provide energy resources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. 4 They provide access to outdoor recreation opportunities, like Time Travel on hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing. They provide habitat for National Historic wildlife, food for grazing animals, and timber for people. The Trails lands contain evidence of the past, such as dinosaur bones and plant fossils. Archaeological sites on public 6 lands help us learn about people who lived Visit Your here long ago. Each year, millions of people Historic Trails explore the wide open spaces on their public lands! 7 Food for Trail Travelers 8 Adventure Awaits on National Scenic Trails 9 Tips for Terrific Trail Photos 10 Fun for Everyone on National BLM-managed lands Recreation Trails (Small sites in eastern states do not appear on a map of this scale.) 11 A-Mazing Mountain Biking Become a BLM 12 Junior Ranger! Packing Smart for The Junior Ranger program introduces Your Trail Adventure young adventurers like you to the lands and resources of the Bureau of Land Management. We invite you to join the adventure! Learn more at blm.gov/education. Find Your Path!

Explore 19 Historic Trails Over 33,000 miles connecting to America’s past!

Discover 11 Scenic Trails More than 18,000 miles of spectacular scenery!

Play on Hundreds of Recreation Trails Over 26,000 miles for fun and adventure! These Are Your Trails,

In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson PA CIFIC NORTHW EST NAT MAIN E IONAL signed a bill into law called the National SCENIC CANADA TRAIL

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N been added to the National Trails E C DA S NEV A L INI A A VI RG System. Today, there are a total of N NATIONAL SCENIC TRAILS IO T Y H KENTUCK A 30 historic and scenic trails and TA U N

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Think about it...

President Johnson said, “We can and should have an

abundance of trails for walking, cycling, and horseback riding #FindYourWay in and close to our cities.” What do you think? at trails50.org.

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National Historic Trails

#FindYourWay National at trails50.org. historic trails National recreation trails National follow routes of travel Recreation Trails SKA GUL F O F ALA provide opportunities that were important N PA C I F I C O C E A for fun and exploration in the history of the in urban, rural, and remote areas. United States. Time Travel on National

National historic trails closely follow historical travel routes. They represent important periods in United States history, from early exploration and trade to westward expansion. Historic trails celebrate the hundreds of thousands of emigrants who traveled to make their homes in the west. They also remind us of the challenges and hardships of Native Americans. Many of 4 these trails were routes traveled by Native Americans for hundreds to thousands of years.

In the nation’s early years, trails and rivers were the primary connections between towns and farms, cities, and settlements. As the nation grew in size, Americans looked westward for new opportunities. First on foot and horseback and later in wagons, people took to the trails and headed west.

The Emigrant Trails: Moving People Westward ONWARD to OREGON GOING for GOLD Destination: GREAT The trip across In 1848, gold was SALT LAKE the Great Plains discovered in For Mormons and the Rocky California. Fortune in the Eastern Mountains was seekers from all United States, difficult. Among the first to over the world set out by land the 1840s were a difficult set out for the new territory and sea for the new territory. time. In 1846, thousands were fur trappers and traders. For those in the Eastern fled persecution in Nauvoo, Most covered the 2,000 miles United States, the fastest and Illinois, and headed west. In from the Missouri River to cheapest route was overland, Nebraska, they followed the Oregon on foot. The following the Oregon Trail Oregon Trail along the Platte possibility of land, wealth, before heading southwest on River. Near Fort Casper, in and greater freedom inspired the California Trail. The route Wyoming, they crossed the others to follow. In the crossed rugged mountains North Platte River before 1840s, thousands of families and harsh deserts. Winter climbing into the Rockies. loaded their belongings into weather presented more perils After crossing the Continental covered wagons. Joining and sometimes closed off Divide (at South Pass), the other emigrants, they formed the main trail. Determined weary travelers began the wagon trains for the long travelers took detours and long descent to their final journey west on the shortcuts, creating many new destination—the Great Salt Oregon Trail. paths. Still, all the branches Lake Valley. More than of the California Trail ended in 70,000 people migrated to the gold fields. Utah on the Mormon Trail. Historic Trails

THE PONY EXPRESS TRAIL After the California Gold Rush, thousands of newcomers from the east had settled in the new states of California and Oregon, and they needed a way to communicate with people back home. In April 1860, the Pony Express was established to fill that 5 need. A relay team of Pony Express riders could carry a letter from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, in a record 10 days, providing a key link in east-west communication. Along the route, about every 10 miles, were stations where the riders could change horses and exchange mail. A new rider would take over after about 100 miles. The job required riders who were young, lightweight, and extremely tough. The Pony Express operated for less than 2 years, but the extreme challenges the riders faced led to legends that remain today.

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HI ALA KAHAKAI Explore more at trails50.org/ national-historic-trails. END OF THE TRAILS On October 24, 1861, the nation’s transcontinental telegraph system was completed. News and other messages could be sent cross country almost instantaneously. The Pony Express was no match for the speed of the telegraph. It went out of business just 2 days later. In 1869, the transcontinental railroad opened, providing a faster and safer way to carry mail and people across the country. Before long, the overland trails had faded into history. Visit Your Historic Trails Thanks to the National Trails System Act, you can explore national historic trails and visit historic sites, such as Pony Express stations, forts, and gravesites. The BLM manages sections of 18 national historic trails—more miles of historic trails than any other agency! It also manages several interpretive centers where you can learn more about the trails and their impact on our history. 6 National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, Casper, Wyoming Portions of the original Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, California, and Pony Express Trails remain today. They are evidence of the mass migration of Americans to the west and the huge changes that happened over a period of just 30 years. The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center sits above the California North Platte River, near the place where these trails Trail Interpretive converge. Hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, Center, Elko, Nevada movies, and special events help tell the stories Not all of the travelers on the California of the people who passed through on foot, in Trail crossed into California. Many wagons, and on horseback so long ago. pioneers chose to settle in Nevada. At the There is even a simulated bumpy California Trail Interpretive Center, visitors wagon ride. learn about the lives of the pioneers and the experiences of the Native Americans who lived there. You can also take part in living history events and special programs for Junior Rangers. Every May, the California Trail Days celebration brings history to life. National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Baker City, Oregon The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center offers activities the whole family can enjoy. Living history demonstrations, life-size displays, and movies tell about the explorers, miners, pioneers, and settlers who found their way to Oregon. The site includes the abandoned 500-acre Flagstaff Gold Mine. You can see actual wagon ruts left more than 100 years ago. Hiking trails lead to magnificent views of the mountains. Special events throughout the year offer opportunities to meet reenactors portraying pioneers, visit a simulated wagon encampment, or witness a cookoff. Food for Trail Travelers

Explorers, trappers, and traders who traveled the trails knew food sources might be scarce, especially in winter. The ultimate travel food was “pemmican,” a mixture of dried lean meat and grease invented by Native Americans. Pemmican packed a lot of energy and could last for years. Why not pack some pemmican 7 for your trail adventure?

MOCK PEMMICAN Ingredients:

1 cup beef, bison, or turkey jerky 1 cup dried cherries, cranberries, apples, or other dried fruit Optional: ½ cup dried nuts or seeds

Directions: Tear or cut large pieces of jerky or fruit into smaller pieces. Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

For a more authentic pemmican, add a little coconut oil or nut butter. Mix together with your hands and mold into balls or patties. Add spices such as cinnamon, chili powder, or hot pepper flakes to create your signature pemmican. U.S. - Canada Border

Glacier Natl Park, Waterton Lake 4,200 ft

Adventure Awaits on

National Scenic Trails Montana

In 1968, there were only two scenic trails—the Appalachian Trail and the Big Hole Pass 7,055 ft 8 Pacific Crest Trail. Now there are 11 scenic trails across the country. Idaho & Montana Idaho Yellowstone Natl Park, King of Trails Grants Pass 8,100 ft The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail begins in Montana at the Canadian border. After skimming the Idaho border, it crosses Wyoming,

Wyoming Great Divide Basin 7,130 ft Colorado, and New Mexico. More than 3,100 miles long, the trail climbs granite peaks, meanders through mountain meadows, and crosses high deserts before reaching the Mexico border.

Rocky Mtn Natl Park 12,363 ft Hundreds of people, including kids, have hiked the entire

trail. These through-hikers are called “3,000 milers.” To Grays Peak 14,278 ft learn more about the Continental Divide Trail and to see the list of through-hikers, go to continentaldividetrail.org.

Maybe you will be a 3,000-miler some day! Colorado Monarch Pass 11,312 ft

Most people explore the Continental Divide Trail a section at a time. There are great places for short day hikes and

weekend camping. Some sections are open for mountain PROFILE ELEVATION TRAIL DIVIDE CONTINENTAL biking, horseback riding, and motorcycling. The Teton Reservoir Recreation Site in Wyoming is a favorite for families. From the reservoir, you can hike 5 miles to the Atlantic Rim of the Continental Divide. Back at the reservoir, you can go swimming, fishing, and camp under the stars. El Malpais Natl Mon 7,800 ft

Using the elevation profile graph to the right, find the locations of the highest and lowest points on the Continental Divide Trail. What is the approximate difference in elevation? Mexico New

Silver City 5,895 ft Discover more at trails50.org/national-scenic-trails. Big Hatchet Mtns Wil Stu Area 5,200 ft U.S. - Mexico Border Crazy Cook Monument

Elevation 4,300 ft Answer: 14,278 ft - 4,200 ft = 10,078 ft 10,078 = ft 4,200 - ft 14,278 Answer: 8,000 6,000 4,000 in feet 14,000 12,000 10,000 Tips for Terrific Trail Photos

Photos are a great way to remember the amazing sights you will see when you visit a national trail. Take your photography skills to the next level by following these simple tips.

Looking at Light When the sun is lower in the sky, long shadows 9 and color variations add interest and drama. For this reason, the time around sunrise and sunset is called the golden hour of photography. To see how the sun’s position affects the view, take photos of the same scene at different times of day.

For photos of people, notice how the light and shadows fall on their faces. When the sun is in front of them, the bright light might make them squint. But if the sun is behind them, their faces might be too dark. Experiment with different positions until the light and Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, New Mexico shadows are just right.

Upper Missouri Wild and Scenic River, Montana Rule of Thirds Imagine drawing a tic-tac-toe board over the scene. Instead of positioning the subject in the middle of the picture, turn slightly so it is near one of the points where two lines cross. This will bring more attention to the background scenery.

Leading Lines North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River, Oregon Natural lines, such as roads, streams, fences, tree trunks, and waterfalls, lead the viewer’s eyes through a picture. These “leading lines” make a photo more interesting by ensuring the viewer scans the entire scene. They can even take the viewer on an imaginary adventure. Fun for Everyone on National Recreation Trails

The BLM manages thousands of miles of national recreation trails! Here are some fun ways to experience them.

10 • The Sacramento River Rail Trail connects the city of Redding, California, to the Shasta Dam. The trail is a favorite for walking, running, biking, and finding the perfect place to fish. • In Nevada, the Grimes Point Petroglyph Trail goes Rock art at GRIMES POINT through one of the largest rock art sites in the country. Boulders inscribed with ancient designs and pictures can be viewed from the trail. Some areas can be accessed by wheelchair. Twice a month, the BLM leads a hike up to Hidden Cave.

• One of the highest peaks in the Hoodoo Mountains of Idaho is Bald Mountain. Hikers can ride a ski lift in the summer to reach the Bald Mountain Trail.

• From Trailhead Park in Cottage Grove, Oregon, the Row River Trail follows an abandoned railroad track. This 17-mile trail is fully paved, and there are places to park along the way. A trek by foot, bike, or inline skates takes you past three historic bridges, through Garnet Ghost Town forests, and along a lake.

• In Garnet Ghost Town, Montana, the Garnet National Winter Recreation Trail has 32 miles perfect for cross-country skis, snowshoes, snowmobiles, and dogsleds. Visitors can rent cabins in the historic ghost town.

• The Gooseberry Mesa National Recreation Trail in Utah is a system of mountain bike trails. Bike to the mesa rim for a spectacular view of Zion National Park.

Find a trail near you at americantrails.org/nrt.

National Recreation Trails View of Zion National Park from Gooseberry Mesa Trail. A-Mazing Mountain Biking

The Sand Flats Recreation Area near Moab, Utah, has trails for hiking, mountain biking, and off-highway vehicles, including motorcycles, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles. Everyone in the family is invited, even the dog! Pitch a tent at one of the campsites, and enjoy a night sky sparkling with stars.

The Slickrock National Recreation Trail has made Sand Flats a destination for world- 11 class mountain biking. Almost entirely on sandstone, the trail features “domes” and “fins” and rock outcrops. With deep canyons and steep cliffs, Slickrock gives thrills to skilled mountain bikers!

Starting at the trailhead, find your way through the Slickrock Trail to the canyon overlook. Packing Smart for Your

Plan and prepare for a safer and more enjoyable adventure. Know where you are going, and share your plans with someone who is not going. Never venture out alone.

Read the checklist on the next page. For each category, find and circle at least one item, and then check off the category. Put an X through the things you should probably leave at home. 12 Trail Adventure

CHECKLIST

o Navigation (GPS, map, compass)

o Hydration (water bottles) 13

o Nutrition (sandwich, trail mix, granola bar) Dress for the weather o Insulation (fleece pullover, that is expected, but long pants, socks) be prepared for the unexpected! o Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunblock, lip balm)

o Bug protection (bug spray, long sleeves, long pants)

o Illumination (flashlight, headlamp, extra batteries)

o Communication (cell phone, external charger, whistle)

o First aid and medication (bandages, hand sanitizer, allergy medicine, antibiotic cream) Remember, what you pack for your adventure depends on a number of things, including where you are going, how long you will be out, the time of year, and the activities you have planned. Helmets are required or recommended for biking, horseback riding, and off- highway vehicle use. If there is a chance you could get wet, bring a towel and a change of clothes. Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail For additional copies, contact: Bureau of Land Management Division of Education, Interpretation, and Partnerships 1849 C Street, NW, LM 2134 Washington, DC 20240 (202) 912-7457 [email protected] EE2038G BLM/WO/GI-19/006+1115 This publication was produced by the BLM Division of Education, Interpretation, and Partnerships.

Production services were provided by the BLM National Operations Center, Information and Publishing Services Section.

Learn more about your national trails at blm.gov/rivers-trails-50.

Juan Bautista de Anza Trail, California

Old Spanish Trail, Utah

Reenactors on El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail, New Mexico