Greater Blairstown Area Named NJ's First Official Appalachian Trail Community | Explore Warren

 

Greater Blairstown Area Named NJ's First Official Appalachian Trail Community

Sunrise at Catfish Tower, photo by Matthew Miller

The Greater Blairstown Area has earned designation as an official Appalachian Trail Community, County of Warren officials announced.

While about 40 such communities exist along the Trail, this designation makes the Greater Blairstown Area the first and only official Appalachian Trail Community in New Jersey.

Known simply as the “A.T.” to many, the Appalachian Trail stretches about 2,180 miles through fourteen states from Georgia to Maine.

“The Appalachian Trail is a tremendous asset for Warren County and its residents, so it’s very exciting to see our Blairstown Area community selected,” said Warren County Freeholder Director Jason J. Sarnoski.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, which boasts about 40,000 active members, created this program in order to assist communities located within the Trail’s 250,000-acre protected greenway with sustainable economic development through tourism and outdoor recreation.

The program highlights those communities, like the Greater Blairstown Area, that are taking steps to protect their natural, cultural, and recreational resources. By preserving and enhancing these charming and memorable communities along the Trail, the Conservancy not only aims to make the hike more desirable, but to contribute to the long-term economic health of these popular destinations.

“Running through the Delaware Water Gap, up Mount Tammany, and then along the Kittatiny Ridge, Warren County boasts a beautiful section of the trail that passes through New Jersey’s Worthington State Forest and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area,” explained Corey Tierney, Warren County Preservation Director. “It’s one of the nation’s greatest treasures, and its right here in our own back yard.”

Towns, counties, and communities along the Appalachian Trail’s corridor are considered an asset by hikers, just as many businesses like outfitters, shops, and restaurants treat hikers as important assets. With millions of visitors coming to the Trail every year, towns like Blairstown see the importance in remaining good friends and neighbors to the Trail.

“Formal designation as an Appalachian Trail Community not only means that the Greater Blairstown Area will be highlighted online, in guidebooks, and on hiking maps, but it will also help us communicate to visitors that we are both trail friendly and hiker friendly,” explained Jeannette Iurato, Vice President of the Greater Blairstown Business Association. “Whether visitors are looking for a hot cup of coffee early in the morning before hitting the trail, or a hearty meal or local craft beer after a long day’s hike, they’ll know they’re always welcome at our Blairstown Area businesses.”

In return for national recognition and promotional assistance, designated communities like the Greater Blairstown Area engage residents and visitors to help protect the trail through outreach and education. Formed earlier this year, the Community’s Advisory Committee plans to participate in numerous events throughout Warren County to raise awareness about the trail, educate new visitors about hiking basics, and emphasize the importance of protecting the trail. In addition, the Advisory Committee includes professional educators who already have successfully incorporated the Conservancy’s “Trail to Every Classroom” program into their school’s curriculum.

“We’re looking forward to meeting with other local educators about the benefits of both bringing the trail into the classroom and bringing the classroom out to the trail,” said Kasey Errico, a teacher at the Ridge and Valley Charter School in Blairstown.

For those interested in visiting the A.T., while there are a number of parking areas and trail heads within Worthington State Forest and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, one of the closest to Blairstown can be found at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Mohican Outdoor Center. Located just off the Trail and overlooking a beautiful glacial lake called Catfish Pond, the center offers private cabins with full kitchens and baths, shared bunk rooms and bath, and tent camping.

“For anyone who is new to the trail or to hiking, we offer numerous guided programs and activities throughout the year,” said Gabrielle Andrews, Director of the Mohican Outdoor Center.

A special event is being planned to celebrate the official designation of the Greater Blairstown Area as New Jersey’s first official Appalachian Trail Community.
For more information about the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, visit www.appalachiantrail.org. For more information about Greater Blairstown Area businesses, visit www.shopgbba.org. For more information about the Mohican Outdoor Center, visit www.outdoors.org/mohican.