This year, the concept of the trail will be 40 years old this September. More than 700 miles is completed and the state recognized the MST as an official state trail in 2000.
The MST is a collaboration of local communities, trail groups, land trusts, federal and state land agencies, private landowners, the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, and Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (Friends).
“The trail is an official part of the state parks system, but segments of it are managed by different agencies and local governments,” said Kate Dixon, director of the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail. “Local communities help connect the trail through links to greenways and urban trails. Land trusts help acquire land. Our Friends of the MST provide volunteers, support and serves as a clearinghouse for information.”
Portions of the trail are not complete. However, Dixon said Greenville and Kinston have made significant improvements. Much of the Neuse area is traversed not by hiking boot but by paddle.
The Coastal Crescent Trail, while it appears on the MST trail maps, is not officially recognized by the state parks department. Volunteers are working to get that changed – not at the expense of the unfinished Neuse River portion of the trail – but as an alternative.
The Coastal Crescent traverses the entirety of Pender County. The trail is divided into two segments. The northernmost portion of the trail is called “The Land of History” due to the fact that it travels by historic landmarks including Canetuck Community Building, a former Rosenwald School, and Moores Creek National Battlefield. An alternative loop off the trail stops by Penderlea Homestead Museum. Trailblazers love the trails through Burgaw and the Historical Train Depot. The second portion of the Coastal Crescent in Pender County travels through the Holly Shelter Game Land to Surf City and into North Topsail Beach.
State Senator Brent Jackson of Sampson County will introduce legislation to officially incorporate the Coastal Crescent into the MST. Local governments and organizations, including the Pender County Board of Commissioners, have issued Resolutions of Support of the inclusion of the Coastal Crescent.
The Coastal Crescent is currently being used by MST travelers. Pender County Tourism and the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce have hosted and dined with travelers on the MST, especially those participating in the Warrior Hike that is designed for recently deployed veterans.
There are many ways volunteers with Pender County can become involved in the MST. Become a Trail Task Leader, who build and clear the trail with other volunteers. Or become a Trail Angel who offers hikers water and a place to camp.
The third way to become involved in the MST Coastal Crescent is to sign up to walk a portion of the Pender County segment on Sept. 9. Along all 1170 miles of the MST, volunteers will walk portions of the trail throughout the day. Some will walk up to 16 miles. Some will walk much shorter distances.
The western portion of the trail in Pender County is along backroads, such as Canetuck Road. We are encouraging cross country teams to sign up for a portion of the route and run on Sept. 9.
The MST has made an economic impact on Trail Towns, such as Elkin. Their volunteers have built trails and installed signage, paving the way for economic growth in their downtown area.
Hundreds of people hike the trail in segments. Many have completed the entire trail.
One gentleman who recently completed the MST said: “Completing the trail ranks as one of my greatest life achievements and created a life time of memories.” He added that by conquering the challenge of completing the MST shows a person’s mettle and gives perspective to life’s problems and challenges and how to solve them.
For more information about the MST visit the website, mountainstoseatrail.org. To volunteer in Pender County, call Pender County Tourism at 910-259-1536.
