GreenTalk - Spring / Summer 1996

Earth Day Trail Hike is Good Exercise For a Clean Environment

Boy Scouts of America from around the nation hiked the 20-mile Lincoln Heritage Trail, from New Salem to Springfield, for Earth Day. Not only did the Boy Scouts and adults get a good workout, but the grounds around the trail got a good cleaning. Along the trail, Boy Scouts and leaders spent time picking up litter to beautify the land. In 1926, the Lincoln Trail Hike medal was created to award those Boy Scouts who successfully completed the Lincoln Heritage Trail. Boy Scout officials hoped that the participants gained the wisdom and perseverance that Abraham Lincoln derived from walking from New Salem to Springfield in search of a better life. Since 1926, more than 75,000 youth have retraced Lincoln's steps.

The trail itself closely follows the original path Lincoln walked, but it keeps hikers on secondary roads, byways and trails in order to preserve the actual path. The grounds around the trail are very scenic and the Boy Scouts aim to keep it that way.

Last year, the program celebrated its 50th anniversary, attracting more than 1,000 hikers from places as far as California. Scouts and leaders collected a total of 10 cubic yards of refuse, apprximately 40 pounds of aluminum, 10 years and several car batteries. The garbage was hauled away, the aluminum was recycled and the tires and batteries were properly disposed of.

This year's event proved to more more successful than last year's. Springfield's Boy Scout office received inquiries from places as far away as England. The participants started as early as 6 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m. But, volunteers from the Illinois EPA started at 5 a.m. to set up Gatorade and water oases for weary hikers.

When the day's hike was done, everyone involved was able to rest a little bit easier knowing Lincoln's trail got its yearly spring cleaning.

This year, hikers were not the only participants, many scouts brought their off-road bikes. In order to get more exercise, the bike riders left New Salem State Park and doubled back when they reached Springfield. Even though they rode their bicycles, these scouts still managed to pick up a few stray cans and paper.

There were six rest stops in total to give the weary travelers much-needed breaks. At the second to last rest stop, each participant got his/her hand stamped in order to receive a patch designed by the Illinois EPA.

Some walked the trail just for exercise, whereas others just wanted to acquire the unique patch. One group from Mt. Pulaski used this hike as training for the annual hike through the rugged terrain f the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Each member of the troop wore full gear while hiking under the intense sun. Central Illinois may not be as hilly as New Mexico, but the trail has quite a few twists and turns.

Whatever the reason for participating, one thing remained perfectly clear, everyone wanted to keep the historical trail clean. And when the day's hike was done, everyone involved was able to rest a little bit easier knowing Lincoln's trail got its yearly spring cleaning.