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Nadeau Trail Designated as a National Recreation Trail!

The BLM has announced that the Panamint Valley's Nadeau Trail has been designated an official National Recreation Trail! The 28-mile Nadeau Trail joins the over 15,000 miles of trails that make up the National Recreation Trail program and is now recognized as part of America’s national system of trails.

"The number of historic and recreational destinations along the Nadeau Trail is truly astounding. It's no wonder this public treasure was aptly recognized as a National Recreation Trail," said Randy Banis, editor of DeathValley.com. "Travelers of the Nadeau Trail have long enjoyed the trail's ghost towns, abandoned mines, historic ruins and structures, seeps and springs, and solitude and remoteness. Some of my favorite destinations along the Nadeau Trail are Lookout City, the Defense Mine, the Minnietta Mine complex, Snow Canyon and the Ash Hills."

The Nadeau National Recreation Trail is a piece of living history that exists much as it did in the mid-1800s when French Canadian pioneer Remi Nadeau and his teamsters used it haul silver and supplies to and from the Cerro Gordo area. Numerous motorized routes connected to the Nadeau Trail provide access to hiking trails, spectacular vistas, history seeking, and camping opportunities.

The National Recreation Trail designation affirms the unique local and regional significance of the Nadeau Trail and promotes public use and care and increases national visibility. National Recreation Trail designation also provides enhanced access to future technical assistance and funding programs.

Supporters of the National Recreation Trail designation included representatives of the Maturango Museum, the Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert, Death Valley National Park, Ridgecrest City Council, Gear Grinders 4WD Club, the California Off-Road Vehicle Association, Friends of Jawbone, California Trail Users Coalition, National Public Lands News, the Public Lands Roundtable of Ridgecrest, and the BLM Desert District Advisory Council, Panamint Springs Resort (sponsors of DeathValley.com), as well as numerous members of the public.

"Nominations for National Recreation Trail designations require strong public support.  I'm very grateful to all those who contributed their time to this successful effort," added Banis.