2021 National Trails Day
Celebrating National Trails Day 2021 at McGill
Saturday, June 5th marks the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day 2021. This day is recognized annually on the first Saturday in June. It is a day of public events aimed at trail advocacy and service. Celebrated by hikers, bikers, rowers, horseback riders, and many more, this is an important day to recognize the value added to our lives and communities by these trails.
In honor of National Trails Day, we asked McGill employees to share photos of their favorite trails and why they are special to them. We learned that not only are our land planning and recreation team passionate about trails, but also our civil, water and wastewater, and electrical engineers; marketing team; business development team; and administrative assistants. McGill is full of employees who love outdoor adventures, strolling along on trails, and challenging hikes and bike rides.
Some ways to honor your favorite trails and to get involved in trail advocacy can be found on American Hiking Society’s website. To learn more about some McGill’s trail projects, visit our Thermal Rail Trail and Brunswick County Town Creek Park Case Studies.
Enjoy viewing the photos below and reading why these places are special.
Bobby Caudle, Construction Field Representative: Jenny Lake Trail, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Chris Brown, Engineering Technician: Hiking at South Mountain State Park in Burke County, NC, with her granddaughter Ella.
Joel Storrow, Past President: “That’s a tired me, right after completing the 30 mile Art Loeb Trail, on a 3-day, 2-night backpack last December with my brother Alan. It’s a scenic hike in WNC through the Pisgah National Forest and Shining Rock Wilderness Area, including the famous Cold Mountain.”
Kurtis Durrant, Planner: “These photos remind me that being in nature is one of the most important aspects of life for our physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being.”
Doug Chapman, Principal / Hickory Office Manager: Riding bikes with his Sunday school class on the Virginia Creeper Trail.
Evan Hood, Engineering Associate: Hiking in Gatlinburg, TN with his significant other, Hannah. This is one of the first times they went hiking together and now we have been at it for more than four years.
Lisa Watts, Administrative Assistant: This is her favorite trail, the strawberry trail. She said, “Nothing beats a trail leading to the perfect handpicked strawberry and being outdoors in the morning sun with friends and family.” Lineberger’s Farm in Dallas, NC.
Christine Rossi, Administrative Assistant: “My son is in the military and whenever we watch his dog, we take him on this trail. It’s so quiet and peaceful we just love it. It’s at Redwood Park in Hudson, NC.”
Bill Roark, Principal / Raleigh Office Manager: “Turkey Run State Park in Parke County, IN has always been a special place for me. It is like nowhere else in Indiana – where cornfields are more common than limestone gorges. Growing up, we made at least one trip there every year. It was about a 3-hour drive from our house growing up. Unfortunately, it’s over 10-hours now so I don’t get there as often, but when I do it takes me back to my childhood. It has been interesting as well to see some of my mother’s childhood pictures (she was born about 5-miles from the park) taken in the same areas and it’s like time hasn’t moved.”