New England National Scenic Trail Proposed

The online version of the Boston Globe for 25 March 2007 carries an editorial about a proposal for a new National Scenic Trail: the New England National Scenic Trail. The editorial is titled "From Monadnock to the Sound". US Representative John Olver from Massachusetts has filed the bill to sponsor the creation of such a trail. It would run about 220 miles, mostly along the Connecticut River valley. There is, of course, reference to the Appalachian Trail.

"The goal of planners is that the scenic trail will have a single trail blazing system, but with few through hikers, since overnight camping would be permitted in only a limited number of locations. Of course, decades ago planners of the Appalachian Trail did not envision through hikers for its 2,175-mile length, either. Congress should designate the path as a new national scenic trail and let the walking public decide how best to use it."