Carbon Footprints and Hiking

Here's an interesting paragraph:

"First and foremost, getting to and from the trailhead can be a major source of carbon impact. Consider taking the train or bus instead of driving or flying. The Appalachian Trail has multiple sections that are serviced by train or bus, as does the Pacific Crest Trail, and the John Muir Trail. And if you take the train you don't have to worry about your car getting broken into while you are on the trail. If worse comes to worst, you can (gulp) offset your travel."

That's from a blog titled the "Green Options blog" coming out of Berkeley, CA. It's in a post there by Kelly Best-Oliver, dated 19 June 2007, and titled "Leave No Trace--And No Carbon Footprint--When Backpacking."

I sort of wonder about that when I drive the 30-45 miles or so it takes me to get from home to various AT road crossings so that I can spend the day hiking. But there aren't any bus or train routes crossing the Trail at any of these places, that's for sure. Maybe if I were coming from California for a long-distance hike.... (And, then, what train station is she parking her car at where she needn't be concerned about someone breaking into it?)