Help Hike 1,175 Miles in One Day on The Mountains-to-Sea Trail

On September 9, 2017 The Friends of The Mountains-to-Sea Trail need YOU to collaborate with hundreds of others across North Carolina to hike and paddle the entire 1,175 miles of the MST in one day.  Registration is now open for all legs - follow the instructions on mstinaday.org to sign up.

 

MST in a Day commemorates a speech on September 9, 1977 by Howard Lee, then the NC Secretary of Natural Resources and Community Development. He told a National Trails Symposium in Waynesville that North Carolina should create a "state trail from the mountains to the coast, leading through communities as well as natural areas."

That speech was the catalyst for the trail that now stretches through 36 counties from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks, and we're celebrating its 40th anniversary all across the state in 2017.

MST in a Day commemorates a speech on September 9, 1977 by Howard Lee, then the NC Secretary of Natural Resources and Community Development. He told a National Trails Symposium in Waynesville that North Carolina should create a "state trail from the mountains to the coast, leading through communities as well as natural areas."

The Friends are asking people to sign up to complete a "leg" of the trail any time on September 9. Most legs are three to five miles, although some are longer in remote parts of the trail. You can hike your leg alone or with friends or family. While you're at it, send several photos of your hike or paddle so we can compile photos taken by everyone who participates into a video of the trail.

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail  connects Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Jockey's Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks with almost 1200 miles of footpaths and temporary connectors. Currently nearly 700 miles of footpaths are complete with work crews, mostly volunteers, continuing construction. The connectors make it possible to hike the entire nearly 1200 miles.

The route passes through 37 counties containing about 40 percent of the state's population. The trail is used by people out for an afternoon stroll as well as those planning to hike the trail from one end of the state to the other. 

NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail New Book Published

Danny Bernstein, hiking guide author and 2011 MST completer, has just published The Mountains-to-Sea Trail Across North Carolina, a valuable and entertaining new book about the MST. The book, published by History Press, introduces the reader to the spectacular, historic and quirky elements of the North Carolina landscape that hikers see on the trail. 

Read History Press's blog for a great overview of the book, and check out Danny's schedule of book events throughout North Carolina - there is probably one near you (and if there isn't she'd welcome the chance if you want to line one up for her).

If you're in the Asheville or Raleigh area, come out for one of the two "book launches" to hear Danny read from the book, answer questions about the trail and meet Kate Dixon, Executive Director of FMST: 

• Tuesday, March 5th, 6 pm - Diamond Brand Outdoors, 2623 Hendersonville Road, Arden (Diamond Brand will provide anyone in attendance who becomes a member of FMST with a $20 gift card. Refreshments will be provided and attendees can participate in a raffle also benefiting FMST. The event is free and open to the public.)
• Friday, April 5th, 7 pm - Quail Ridge Books, 3522 Wade Avenue, Raleigh (co-sponsored with Great Outdoor Provision Co. and Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail)