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20 take part in National Trails Day
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Posted on Jun 10 2008
At least 20 people from the CNMI participated in Saturday’s American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day—a nationwide hiking event which aims to develop more appreciation for the island’s hiking tails.
Two groups were formed to take two separate routes.
Ken Kramer led a group through the Laderan Tanke Trail across the Pau Pau Beach area. According to Kramer, “The return to the real trail was probably the hardest part of the hike. Halfway through, everyone opted for the Bird Island Lookout finish, which proved to be the more spectacular finish.”
Jim Benedetto, who led the second group that took the trail to the Bird Island lookout, said it was surprising that none of the youngsters in the group had ever been on the Laderan Tangke Trail.
“I think we should make this a regular event, and encourage more people to get out and see the wild beauty of the Marianas,” Benedetto said.
Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands chairwoman Lynn Knight also participated in the nature hike. She said her group started up the Radar Station in Marpi and ended down at the Bird Island lookout.
“It was beautiful going through the dense jungle, mostly downhill. I can still feel the effects of using different muscles, so I know it was a great exercise,” Knight said.
In the end, Kramer and a fellow hiker met with the rest of the hikers at the Bird Island lookout and gave them rides back to the Laderan Tangke trailhead.
“It was a good hike. Next time, we can do the Banaderu Trail,” Kramer said.
The hike took about two hours in all.
