The Girdwood Trails Committee advocates for and takes care of the valley’s trails year round.
WINTER NEWS
As winter continues and the days get longer, here are some reminders and information:
• No motorized vehicles (ATVs, snow machines) are allowed on any Girdwood valley floor trail. All Municipality of Anchorage land is protected (Municipal Ordinance 25.70.040, A. 3) as is state park and US National Forest land. “No motorized vehicles” signs are posted on major trails, and more will be put up this winter. Municipal penalties for driving a motorized vehicle include fines and impoundment. Please keep our trails safe, quiet, and in good shape.
• A huge thanks to our volunteers and the Alyeska Resort employees who groom the primary ski trails for the community. Our volunteers maintain a Trails Committee snow machine and drag for this purpose and donate hours of grooming time.
• Other trails, such as the Beaver Pond Trail, are not maintained or groomed in the winter; many people in the community enjoy these more primitive winter trails.
• The Trails Committee supports the formation of the new Girdwood Nordic Ski Club to develop, operate, and maintain a Nordic/non-motorized, multi-use trail system in Girdwood. Led by Deb Essex, this club will become a 501(c)(3) that will be responsible for a separate system unique to the valley.
YEAR-ROUND PROTECTION OF TRAILS
The Trails Committee has worked on several fronts this past year to protect our trails. Here are the major efforts:
• The Girdwood Board of Supervisors passed a resolution in February 2008 to support the dedication of the Wagon Trail, Stumpy’s Winter Trail, Beaver Pond Trail, Tract F, and Virgin Falls Trail. Thanks to Jonnie Lazarus, Parks and Recreation, for this work.
• Paragliders and their friends have a special permit for trail access to Moose Meadow during the summer. The Trails Committee is working with Alaska Paragliding to minimize the foot traffic damage to that area. Expect signage next summer.
• The Trails Committee is working with the Heritage Land Bank, US Forest Service and Alyeska Resort to reroute the Old Winner Creek Trail between Hotel Alyeska and Challenge Alaska. The rerouted, all-season trail is proposed to be similar to the more rustic sections of the Winner Creek trail to the hand tram.
• Questions have come from the community about holding bike and foot races and the use of horses on valley floor trails. Those community organizers who want to hold a bike race are urged to contact Alyeska Resort; those who want to hold a foot race should contact Carolyn Brodin, Chair of the Trails Committee. Horses are discouraged from using valley trails because their hooves cause major damage to our often-wet trails.
All people interested in Girdwood trails are welcome to attend Trails meetings, the first Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m., at the Girdwood Community Center.