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2009 NRT Photo Contest:

"America's great trails!"

National Recreation Trails
2009 Photo Contest

GALLERY 9 - NRT Photo Contest entries

American Trails presents the annual contest for photographs of designated National Recreation Trails across America. In celebration of these great trails we are presenting awards in several categories to highlight the diversity of NRTs, from backcountry trails to urban greenways. We thank the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Federal Highway Administration for their enthusiastic support.

Click on any photo to see it full size; look for the tool bar at the bottom of the photo when it pops up.

The Freedom Bridge is dedicated to the memory of those who were killed on September 11, 2001; George S. Mickelson National Recreation Trail in western South Dakota, managed by South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Dept.; photo by Brooke Smith

To park 600 bikes in an open lot, volunteer Mike Cody came up with the idea of using two end posts, rope strung between them and two big, wide rubber bands per bike; photo by Brooke Smith, George S. Mickelson National Recreation Trail

There were 573 riders in the 2009 Mickelson Trail Trek Bicycle Ride from around the world, including one from Sydney, Australia; photo by Brooke Smith, South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Dept.

Como Lake Loop National Recreation Trail in Montana, 60 miles south of Missoula; photo by Ida Koric of Rossland, BC, Canada

"Como Lake Loop National Recreation Trail in Montana, 60 miles south of Missoula; photo by Ida Koric

Fisher Towers National Recreation Trail, Utah, east of Moab along RTE 128; photo by Ida Koric

Bear Butte Summit National Recreation Trail in Bear Butte State Park, western South Dakota, close to Sturgis; photo by Dana Garry, South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Dept.

Several tribes from throughout the United States and parts of Canada hold spiritual beliefs that are rooted at Bear Butte; photo by Jim Jandreau, South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Dept.

Bear Butte Summit National Recreation Trail in Bear Butte State Park, western South Dakota, close to Sturgis; photo by Dana Garry, South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Dept.

Long Island Greenbelt Trail crosses from Great South Bay to the Sound, covering 33 scenic miles

This picture was taken after a rock slide blocked the Palisades Creek National Recreation Trail on the Targee National Forest, ID; photo by Palisades District Staff, USFS

Palisades Trail Crew standing in the spot that they blasted to re-open the trail after the rock slide, Targee National Forest, ID; photo by Palisades District Staff, USFS

Palisades Creek Trail heading into the Palisades Lower Lake during the fall foliage; photo by Palisades District Staff, USFS

Palisades Creek shown from a bridge crossing the creek; photo by Palisades District Staff, USFS

A guide who takes hunters into the backcountry of the Palisades Creek Trail using a pack string, Targee National Forest, ID; photo by Palisades District Staff, USFS

One of many bridges on the Palisades Creek National Recreation Trail; photo by Palisades District Staff, USFS

Palisades Creek Trail at the junction of Chicken Springs Trail with hikers using the foot bridge to cross Palisades Creek to a popular camping area; photo by Palisades District Staff, USFS

Palisades Creek Trail right above the campground and equestrian parking area, Targee National Forest, ID; photo by Palisades District Staff, USFS

Palisades Creek Trail maintenance after a wind storm took down many trees and blocked the trail. Forest Service trail crew packed in and cut up the timber to re-open the trail; photo by Palisades District Staff, USFS

A group of hikers that camped overnight at the Palisades Lower Lake meets a horseman on the Palisades Creek National Recreation Trail; photo by Palisades District Staff, USFS