GARDNERS, PA (May 12, 2010) - Hikers from near and far will enjoy a weekend full of hiking and trail care when the Appalachian Trail Museum opens in Pine Grove Furnace State Park on Saturday, June 5.

"Hiking and trail maintenance go hand-in-hand.  The Appalachian Trail hiking community prides itself in not only using the trails but keeping them maintained so others can enjoy them safely," said Larry Luxenberg, president of the Appalachian Trail Museum Society.  "Both the hikes and the trail work will be significant parts of the Appalachian Trail Museum opening."

Kicking off the weekend will be the "Hike to History" from Kings Gap to Pine Grove Furnace State Park, a distance of six miles along the Buck Ridge Trail.   It will start at 7:45 a.m. at Kings Gap and arrive at the Appalachian Trail Museum in time for the 11 a.m. grand opening ceremonies.

"Because of the anticipated popularity of this hike, pre-registration is required and there is a fee of $25 per hiker if you register by May 15.  The fee after May 15 is $35.  The last day to register is May 28," Luxenberg said.  "Not only is this a terrific way to celebrate the opening of the museum, it is a way to participate in National Trails Day which also is on June 5."

In addition to hike participation, the "Hike to History" fee includes a light breakfast, preferred seating at the museum opening and a special edition of the Appalachian Trail Museum commemorative patch. "Hike to History" registration information is online at http://sites.google.com/site/hiketohistory/home.

Luxenberg said there also will be hikes along the mountainous and scenic trails near Pine Grove Furnace State Park.  Four hikes will begin on Friday morning, June 4, and three will begin on Sunday morning,    June 6.  Hike distances will range from 8.6 miles to 16.3 miles.  Luxenberg said space is limited on the hikes and to reserve a place Karen Balaban with the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club should be contacted at KMBalaban@BalabanLLC.com or 717-232-3708.  

Additionally, trail maintenance outings will be hosted on June 6 by area hiking clubs at Peters Mountain, north of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and South Mountain -- the mountain range that includes Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The contact for the Peters Mountain cleanup is Jim Hooper with the York County Hiking Club at j.e.hooper@ieee.org or 717-252-3784.  The contact for the South Mountain initiative is Jim  Foster with the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club and the Mountain Club of Maryland at cvatclub@gmail.com.

The Appalachian Trail Museum is conveniently located near Carlisle, Gettysburg, and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.  Visitors also will enjoy visiting the historic iron furnace of Pine Grove Furnace State Park and the Pine Grove General Store.  The midway point of the Appalachian Trail is approximately two miles west of the museum in Michaux State Forest, but the trail itself is an easy walk from the museum as it weaves through Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

About the Appalachian Trail Museum Society

The Appalachian Trail Museum Society, a 501-C-3 not-for-profit organization formed in 2002, is organizing volunteers and fundraising nationwide to establish the Appalachian Trail Museum as a tribute to the thousands of men, women and families who have hiked and maintained the 2,179 mile long hiking trail that passes through 14 states from Maine to Georgia. The museum is located in the Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Gardners, Pennsylvania, conveniently near Carlisle, Gettysburg and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Additional information is available at www.atmuseum.org. 

MEDIA CONTACT - Joseph Patterson
Communications Committee - Appalachian Trail Museum Society

717-823-7556
Joseph.Patterson@e-LYNXX.com