Dear Outdoor Enthusiast,
My name is Christopher Harper. I am a small web-based business owner
(
http://www.theoutdoor-corner.com ), freelance
Writer, Photographer, and long distance hiker/backpacker. I also am a
map contributor for a nationally based outdoor
magazine, Backpacker. I have been hiking, camping, canoeing and other
outdoor activities for the past 38 years, and am always
looking for new horizons to explore.
I am sure you have heard of the Appalachian Trail, which runs from
Springer Mountain in Georgia, to Mt Katahdin in the
state of Maine. You also have the North Country Trail that runs from
Crown Point on Lake Champlain New York to South Dakota.
You have the Sea-to-Sea Route that runs from Quebec Canada to Olympic
National Park in Northern Washington. There is also the
American Discovery Trail, The Long Trail, The Continental Divide
Trail, The Pacific Crest Trail, The Pacific Northwest Trail,
The West Coast Trail, The Ice Age Trail and The Florida Trail. These
are the most common ones that you hear about, but you
also have state, county, and city trails that are too numerous to list.
This brings me to the point of my inquiry. When I did a trail search
through the southern-most states of the US-20New
Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama- there are
no interconnecting long-distance trails through the
southern U.S. What I am attempting to do, is put together a long
distance hike from San Diego California to The Alabama
Connector on the Florida Trail. My proposed route would encompass over
2800 miles one-way; the Florida Trail is around 1300
miles, give or take, depending on which route you take. I am in the
planning stages at this time and am collecting
information from the respective state, county and local agencies to
make this goal achievable. I am also planning to write a
book of the journey, as well as any short articles that may result
from either the journey or the planning.
Any information that you could assist me with would be appreciated,
including existing trails; maps, Wildlife Management
Areas, State and National Forests, Wilderness areas, water sources,
interested private/business landowners, as well as any
other information you may find helpful. I would also like to include,
reliable water sources, and potential resupply points
along the route, as well as any permits that may be required. Such a
trail would bring additional revenue to countless small
towns and communities all along the route, as well as funds into the
various managing land agencies.
The Appalachian Trail attracts thousands of hikers each year,
attempting to hike from Georgia to Maine. The Continental
Divide Tr
ail and Pacific Crest are also two up and coming trails. Though the
numbers of hiker/backpackers for these trails are
smaller, their numbers are growing each year. These numbers reflect
only those attempting to hike these trails in their
entirety. There are countless thousands of hikers across America that
travel vast distances to section hike trails across the
United States, all of which bring tourist dollars to the respective
communities. It is a win-win situation for all parties
involved.
I thank you for your time and I hope to hear a reply soon. Together
we can make this goal achievable.
Sincerely,
Christopher Harper
Owner/Manager
The Outdoor-Corner
Monticello, Florida
(850) 284-4091
theoutdoorcorner@gmail.com