The Girdwood Trails Committee has worked hard to make 2008 another good year for the Girdwood valley trails and community. Here is a summary of what has happened this year.
Southeast Alaska Guidance Association (SAGA) crews spent long, productive hours on trail work this past September and October. The crews finished the following jobs:
• Tiny Creek Trail—fixed drainage, re treaded surface, added new board walk
• Beaver Pond Trail—worked on drain age and trail surface
• Abe’s Trail—cut down trees over trail
• Crockett’s Bridge—built and installed new bridge for winter use
• Sledding Hill on Stumpy’s Summer Trail—trimmed and chipped alders between Robbie’s Route and AAWU road
• Iditarod Trail--brushed trail from mile 1.5 to tram parking lot
• Lower Virgin Creek Trail—did initial brushing
Thank you to Crow Creek Mine for letting the crews camp there again, to Norman Starkey for leading the entire effort, and to John Byrne III, owner of Alyeska Resort, who gave funds that helped purchase necessary materials. Others to be thanked for their effort and time are Eben Stone, Alison Rein (US Forest Service), Wendy Jennings (Girdwood Transfer Station), Girdwood School administration and students, the Redmonds, Crow Creek road crew (FIKE INC.), and all those community members who fed the SAGA crews.
John Gallup, GBOS member and Parks and Recreation representative, has applied for railroad permits and worked with Municipality officials to rebuild the floor of the Alyeska Bike Path Bridge. All the funding, permits, and work crews will be in place for a May 2009 installation. Rotary Club members, Alyeska Resort employees, and Trails Committee members plan to help John; however, other community volunteers will be needed.
The 2007-2008 grooming of upper valley trails was coordinated with Alyeska Resort by Marc Jonas, Todd Foisy and Andy Morrison. Thanks to the Resort and to these super volunteers who make our winter sports so enjoyable. The same trails will be groomed this winter.
The Trails Committee is working with the Municipality Planning Department to write a chapter in the revised Girdwood Area Plan that includes a master plan for valley trails preservation and enhancement.