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40-582: The New England National Scenic Trail (NET) is a National Scenic Trail in southern New England , which includes most of the three single trails Metacomet-Monadnock Trail , Mattabesett Trail and Metacomet Trail . After the Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett trail system , the trail is sometimes called the Triple-M Trail . The 215-mile (346 km) route extends through 41 communities from Guilford, Connecticut , at Long Island Sound over

80-425: A category of trails known as connecting or side trails. Though there are no guidelines for how these are managed, these have been designated by the secretary of the interior to extend trails beyond the original congressionally established route. Seven side trails have been designated: National recreation trail (NRT) is a designation given to existing trails that contribute to the recreational and conservation goals of

120-596: A national network of trails. Over 1,300 trails over all fifty states have been designated as NRTs on federal , state, municipal, tribal and private lands that are available for public use and are less than a mile to more than 500 miles (800 km) in length. They have a combined length of more than 29,000 miles (47,000 km). Most NRTs are hiking trails , but a significant number are multi-use trails or bike paths , including rail trails and greenways . Some are intended for use with watercraft, horses, cross-country skis , or off-road recreational vehicles . There are

160-617: A number of water trails that make up the National Water Trails System subprogram. Eligible trails must be complete, well designed and maintained, and open to the public. The NPS and the USFS jointly administer the National Recreation Trails Program with help from other federal and nonprofit partners, notably American Trails, the lead nonprofit for developing and promoting NRTs. The secretary of interior or

200-853: A recreation resource of superlative quality and of physical challenge." Most notably, the national scenic trail system provides access to the crest of the Appalachian Mountains in the east via the Appalachian Trail , of the Rocky Mountains in the west on the Continental Divide Trail , and of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada ranges on the Pacific Crest Trail , which make up the Triple Crown of Hiking . Other places of note include

240-516: A report in 1966 entitled Trails for America . The study made recommendations for a network of national scenic trails, park and forest trails, and metropolitan area trails to provide recreational opportunities, with evaluations of several possible trails, both scenic and historic. The program for long-distance natural trails was created on October 2, 1968, by the National Trails System Act, which also designated two national scenic trails,

280-464: A total length of more than 91,000 mi (150,000 km). The scenic and historic trails are in every state, and Virginia and Wyoming have the most running through them, with six. In response to a call by President Lyndon B. Johnson to have a cooperative program to build public trails for "the forgotten outdoorsmen of today" in both urban and backcountry areas, the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation released

320-412: Is a hazard on exposed summits and ledges during thunderstorms. Snow is common in the winter and may necessitate the use of snowshoes. Ice can form on exposed ledges and summits, making hiking dangerous without special equipment. Biting insects can be bothersome during warm weather. Parasitic deer ticks (which are known to carry Lyme disease ) are a potential hazard. Wearing bright orange clothing during

360-841: Is maintained by the volunteers of these organizations. It became an official unit of the National Park System in 2023. In 2000, the United States Congress authorized the National Park Service to research the new trail composed of the Mattabesett Trail , Metacomet Trail , and Metacomet-Monadnock Trail in Connecticut and Massachusetts. This was backed by Public Law 107-338 (signed by President George W. Bush in December 2002). The argument, as testified before Congress,

400-683: Is primarily a north / south linear trail with a northern trail head which terminates at the Mattabesett Trail near its southernmost point (approximately 1.3-mile (2.1 km) east of the Mattabesett Trail's intersection with (and "Bluff Head" parking lot on) Connecticut Route 77 . The current southern trail head terminates at a parking lot just outside the Town of Guilford's bulky waste site (and "Stump Dump" on Sullivan Drive just off Goose Lane ( 41°18′45″N 72°40′28″W  /  41.3125°N 72.6745°W  / 41.3125; -72.6745 ) although

440-530: The Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail , and requested that an additional fourteen trail routes be studied for possible inclusion. Sponsored by Senators Henry M. Jackson and Gaylord Nelson and Representative Roy A. Taylor , part of the bill's impetus was threats of development along the Appalachian Trail, which was at risk of losing its wilderness character, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund

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480-710: The Metacomet Ridge , through the highlands of the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts , to the New Hampshire state border. (The remainder of the M-M Trail to the summit of Mount Monadnock in southern New Hampshire is not included in the designation.) This includes a now (2013) complete connector trail (the Menunkatuck Trail ) from the southernmost location of the Mattabesett Trail (in northern Guilford, Connecticut) to

520-472: The National Park Service (NPS), United States Forest Service (USFS), and/or Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These agencies may acquire lands to protect key rights of way , sites, resources and viewsheds , though the trails do not have fixed boundaries. They work in cooperation with each other, states, local governments, land trusts , and private landowners to coordinate and protect lands and structures along these trails, enabling them to be accessible to

560-664: The National Trail System Act to add the Monadnock, Metacomet and Mattabesett (MMM or triple-M) Trail System as a National Scenic Trail, was passed by the House of Representatives in 2008. This measure was subsequently rolled into the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 30, 2009. The act established three new national scenic trails, including

600-634: The Santa Fe Trail , Old Spanish Trail , and Pony Express . They also memorialize the forced displacement and hardships of the Native Americans on the Trail of Tears and Nez Perce National Historic Trail . Their routes follow the nationally significant, documented historical journeys of notable individuals or groups but are not necessarily meant to be continuously traversed today; they are largely networks of partner sites along marked auto routes rather than

640-581: The secretary of agriculture (if on USFS land) designates national recreation trails that are of local and regional significance. Managers of eligible trails can apply for designation with the support of all landowners and their state's trail coordinator (if on non-federal land). Designated trails become part of the National Trails System and receive promotional benefits, use of the NRT logo, technical and networking assistance, and preference for funding through

680-612: The secretary of the interior or the secretary of agriculture . The national trails are supported by volunteers at private non-profit organizations that work with the federal agencies under the Partnership for the National Trails System and other trail type-specific advocacy groups. For fiscal year 2021, the 24 trails administered by the NPS received a budget of $ 15.4 million. The eleven national scenic trails were established to provide outdoor recreation opportunities and to conserve portions of

720-507: The Department of Transportation's Recreational Trails Program . American Trails sponsors an annual NRT photo contest and a biennial symposium and maintains the NRT database. The first national geologic trail was established by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 , though it did not amend the National Trails System Act to create an official category. Menunkatuck Trail The mainline (official "Blue" "non-dot") trail

760-614: The NPS National Trails Office in Santa Fe and Salt Lake City. National historic trails were authorized under the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 ( Pub. L.   95–625 ), amending the National Trails System Act of 1968. They have a total length of approximately 40,000 mi (64,370 km); many trails include several branches making them much longer than a single end-to-end distance. The act also established

800-405: The NPS, managed like its other areas, as long, linear parks. Five trails are overseen by the U.S. Forest Service. In 2022 Arlette Laan, whose trail name was "Apple Pie", became the first woman known to have completely hiked all eleven national scenic trails. The 21 national historic trails are designated to protect the courses of significant overland or water routes that reflect the history of

840-706: The New England National Scenic Trail. On March 30, 2009, the New England Scenic Trail was officially designated by United States Public Law 111-11 Section 5202. This section defines the trail as extending from Long Island Sound in Guilford, Connecticut, to the Massachusetts / New Hampshire border. But it also encourages talks with New Hampshire officials and municipalities so as to enable future expansion to Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire. Since

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880-1057: The country’s newest units of the National Park Service. National Scenic Trail The National Trails System is a series of trails in the United States designated "to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the Nation". There are four types of trails: the national scenic trails, national historic trails, national recreation trails, and connecting or side trails. The national trails provide opportunities for hiking and historic education, as well as horseback riding , biking, camping , scenic driving , water sports, and other activities. The National Trails System consists of 11 national scenic trails, 21 national historic trails, over 1,300 national recreation trails, and seven connecting and side trails, as well as one national geologic trail, with

920-479: The designation in 2009 there have been two significant changes to the trail. In 2010, a north-south connector (the Menunkatuck Trail ) was built from the southernmost point on the Mattabesset Trail section, extending eleven miles south in Guilford, Connecticut. In 2012 and 2013 the remaining four miles to Long Island Sound was completed, primarily traversing the historic central downtown Guilford district south to

960-508: The exact non-motorized trails as originally used. Interpretative sites are often at other areas of the National Park System along the trails, as well as locally operated museums and sites. The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Wyoming is on the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, and Pony Express National Historic Trails and has exhibits on Western emigration. Nine are administered by

1000-574: The hunting season (Fall through December) is recommended. A large portion of the Menunkatuck Trail passes through or near protected wetlands: bogs, swamps, vernal ponds and marsh lands. Wooden walkways are planned to allow easy passage over some of these which flood or become muddy often. There are sections of the trail which are narrow forested easements between streets of substantial houses. These protected green spaces are often ' set asides' created during residential housing development. Much of

1040-562: The intersection with Meadowlands. By walking from the East River Preserve trail head on Clapboard Hill Road and then down Meadowlands a ways the trail head to a nature trail on Audubon Society property (the Guilford Salt Meadows Sanctuary) can be found and can extend the walk a bit farther. The Menunkatuck Trail is primarily used for hiking , backpacking , picnicking , and in the winter, snowshoeing . Portions of

1080-609: The nation. They represent the earliest European travels in the country in Chesapeake Bay and on Spanish royal roads; the nation's struggle for independence on the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail and Washington–Rochambeau Revolutionary Route ; westward migrations on the Oregon , California , and Mormon Trails , which traverse some of the same route; and the development of continental commerce on

1120-418: The natural landscape with significant scenic, natural, cultural, or historic importance. These trails are continuous non-motorized long-distance trails that can be backpacked from end-to-end or hiked for short segments, except for Natchez Trace NST, which consists of five shorter, disconnected trail segments. The Trails for America report said, "Each National Scenic Trail should stand out in its own right as

1160-472: The official Menunkatuck Trail blue-blazes end just after the Menunkatuck Trail splits southward from the "White Trail" in the Nut Plains Woods (Guilford Land Conservation Trust). South of Nut Plains Road the trail to the Guilford dump is marked with red-orange plastic ribbons tied to trees. Eventually the plan is for the Menunkatuck Trail to be extended to Long Island Sound (possibly via some road walks) but

1200-594: The project and inquired about trail use and management, and alternative trail routes. In March 2007, Representative John Olver ( D - MA ) introduced the New England Scenic Trail Designation Act . Co-sponsors were the Democratic representatives Richard Neal (D-MA), John B. Larson (D- CT ), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT); a companion bill was introduced by Senator John Kerry . The bill, proposed amending

1240-424: The public. These partnerships between the agency administrators and local site managers are vital for resource protection and the visitor experience. The Federal Interagency Council on the National Trails System promotes collaboration and standardization in trail development and protection. National recreation trails and connecting and side trails do not require congressional action, but are recognized by actions of

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1280-627: The sea (Long Island Sound) and a deviation of the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail in Massachusetts, to lead the trail through state-owned land instead of largely unprotected land. The trail is administered by the National Park Service , and managed by two non-profit and member-volunteer based organizations: the Connecticut Forest and Park Association in Connecticut, and the Appalachian Mountain Club in Massachusetts. The trail

1320-923: The southern wetlands and Gulf Coast on the Florida Trail , the North Woods on the North Country Trail , the variety of southwestern mountains and ecosystems on the Arizona Trail , and the remote high-mountain landscape near the Canadian border on the Pacific Northwest Trail . They have a total length of approximately 17,800 mi (28,650 km). Due to the extent of construction of route realignments, segment alternatives, and measurement methods , some sources vary in their distances reported and values may be rounded. Six trails are official units of

1360-614: The town harbor. Also, in Massachusetts in 2012 and 2013 22 miles (35 km) of the NET's Metacomet-Monadnock trail sections were re-routed. These sections (Massachusetts' NET sections 10-14 and part of 15) had been interrupted for a number of years due to issues where the MM passed through private land (from just northeast of the Holyoke Range north to Massachusetts' Wendell State Forest ). These NET/MM sections generally parallel both U.S. Route 202 and

1400-430: The trail are suitable for, and are used for, cross-country skiing and geocaching . Site-specific activities enjoyed along the route include bird watching , hunting (very limited), fishing , horseback riding , bouldering and rock climbing (limited). The official Blue-Blazed Menunkatuck Trail passes through land located within the following municipalities, from south to north: The Blue-Blazed Menunkatuck Trail

1440-410: The trail currently is approximately 3.0-mile (4.8 km) directly due north of Guilford Harbor (and approximately 2.0-mile (3.2 km) due north of US I-95.). The trail walk can be extended southward from just outside the waste site on Sullivan Drive by following a red-orange plastic ribbon marked trail through the Guilford town-owned East River Preserve to a trailhead on Clapboard Hill Road north of

1480-536: The western shore of Quabbin Reservoir . The re-routed section (MA NET 10 - Belchertown, MA ) from the eastern descent of the Holyoke Range to the Scarborough Pond Conservation Area now constitutes the longest "road walk" on the Massachusetts portion of the NET. In 2023, the National Park Service recognized the trail as a unit of the National Park Service. Two other national scenic trails also became

1520-448: Was created by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association . The mainline trail is blazed with blue rectangles. Trail descriptions are available from a number of commercial and non-commercial sources, and a complete guidebook is published by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association Weather along the route is typical of Connecticut . Conditions on exposed ridge tops and summits may be harsher during cold or stormy weather. Lightning

1560-537: Was that the preservation of the trail system as a recreational resource is only possible through its joint protection. The draft study was concluded in April 2006, published and made available for public review and comment. At this time, the trail was referred to as the MMM Trail (Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett). Public meetings in Connecticut and Massachusetts on September 26 and 27, 2006, respectively, yielded large support for

1600-415: Was used to acquire lands. In 1978, as a result of the study of trails that were most significant for their historic associations, national historic trails were created as a new category with four trails designated that year. Since 1968, over forty trail routes have been studied for inclusion in the system. The scenic and historic trails are congressionally established long-distance trails , administered by

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