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RANGELEY — Since President Lyndon Johnson signed the National Scenic Trails Act in 169, America now has 11 National Scenic Trails; 19 National Historic Trails; and more than 1,200 National Recreation Trails, including 21 National Water Trails.
The Appalachian Trail, more than 2,100 miles from Spring Mountain, Ga., to Maine’s Mount Katahdin, passes through Rangeley, and many AT thru-hikers visit the town to resupply, which is celebrated in the town’s annual Rangeley Trail Town Festival. This year, the Rangeley Trail Town Festival committee has a special photo challenge for hikers.
AT hikers are challenged to take a photo of themselves on one of the peaks along the AT in Maine and to email it, along with the name of the peak and the name and trail name of the hiker, to ninic992@gmail.com. All photos will be displayed at the Rangeley Trail Town Festival, Saturday, Sept. 1. The goal is to represent each of the 43 peaks and other significant features along Maine’s Appalachian Trail.
The hikers depend on the services Rangeley offers: hiker hostels like the Hiker Hut and the new Fieldstone Cottages and Bunkhouse, motels and Bed and Breakfasts, restaurants, the IGA, laundromats and businesses that offer hiking supplies. Local businesses have made Rangeley a popular “trail town.”
n 2011, Rangeley was designated an official Appalachian Trail Conservancy Trail Town. The town helps spread the word to hikers that they are welcome here, and they are an important addition to the community. The community assures them it will provide services to help them on their way. The hikers’ importance has been celebrated every year since 2011 with the Rangeley Trail Town Festival, held on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
This year, the Festival committee has been working to bring hiking organizations, craftspeople, food vendors and award-winning Maine musicians. Author Jeffrey Ryan will attend to share the story of two very different men whose constant arguments and persistent dedication led to the founding of the AT depicted in his book, “Blazing Ahead: Benton Mackaye, Myron Avery, and the Rivalry that Built the Appalachian Trail.”
