It’s time for Appalachian Trail
to be honored on a U.S. stampBy Bill O’Brien
April 26, 2006
On May 27, the U.S. Postal Service will issue a new set of 40 stamps paying tribute to the “Wonders of America” — from the nation’s largest desert to its longest cave, from the tallest tree to the deepest lake. Also being honored are the largest reptile, largest land mammal, largest flower, fastest bird and fastest mammal.
Receiving recognition as the “longest hiking trail” is the Pacific Crest Trail. In its press release, the Postal Service says “The Pacific Crest Trail is the nation’s longest continuous designated hiking trail, running for 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada, through California, Oregon, and Washington. It passes through various climate zones and types of terrain and is open to foot and horse travel only.” Hmmmm . . . . While the PCT should be applauded for finally landing on a commemorative U.S. postage stamp, what about the Appalachian Trail? To quote the Web site of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Appalachian Trail . . . — is the nation’s longest marked footpath, at approximately 2,175 miles;
— is the first national scenic trail, designated in 1968;
— houses more than 2,000 occurrences of rare, threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant and animal species;
— crosses six national parks;
— traverses eight national forests;
— touches 14 states;
— and is maintained by 30 trail clubs and multiple partnerships.
In a way, this new set of stamps does touch on the Appalachian Trail, with stamps honoring the nation’s oldest mountains (the Appalachians), and the windiest place (Mount Washington). It also touches on the Continental Divide Trail, with a stamp honoring the longest mountain chain (the Rockies). But it’s a shame that the Postal Service missed a chance to give the A.T. its proper due, at the very least as the nation’s first National Scenic Trail. It may not be as long, physically, as the PCT, but it includes more states, performs a much more delicate balancing act between development and wilderness, and arguably involves more volunteers and users than any other long-distance trail in the country. Perhaps the Postal Service will find room to issue a separate stamp honoring the Appalachian Trail at some point in the future. Numerous ideas for such a stamp have been proposed in the past, with petitions circulated at past meetings of the former Appalachian Trail Conference and other trail-related events. 
In 2005, the Postal Service created commemorative postal cancellations in certain areas throughout the country to honor facilities of the National Park Service. In Harpers Ferry and parts of Virginia, one such cancellation honored the Appalachian Trail, which was nice, but it’s not the same as an actual stamp. There have even been efforts to get the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee to approve a stamp honoring the first two National Scenic Trails together, with two different stamps, one for the A.T. and the other for the PCT. But no word on whether those efforts have gone anywhere. The 40th anniversary of the National Trails System Act is coming up in 2008, so maybe they’ll come around and finally get the Appalachian Trail on a stamp. But the clock is ticking. Usually, the stamp committee needs three years to get a stamp ready for distribution, once the subject has been approved. The actual anniversary of the Trails System Act is two and a half years away. Lyndon Johnson signed it into law on Oct. 2, 1968. So there is still time. If you want to help make the final push, now is the time to write and add your voice to the cause. You can address letters to:
Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
Stamp Development
U.S. Postal Service
1735 North Lynn St., Room 5013
Arlington, VA 22209-6432
It would be nice if it was just the A.T. on a new stamp, since it was the first National Scenic Trail and since the PCT is now already on its own stamp. But knowing how things work in Washington, it’s not likely one trail would be honored without the other if it’s the 1968 Trails System Act being recognized. Still, there’s always hope. Appalachian Trail philatelists will say they aren’t licked yet.
You can read more about how new stamps are chosen and how the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee works by going online.
