Archive for the ‘trail maintenance’ Category.
April 26, 2010, 7:06 pm
Greyling Brandt (USFS), Ted Young (BCT), Steve Schug (USFS), Barb Bottger (BTA)
Forest Service Unable To Offer Financial Assistance For Banadad Trail in 2010
Barb Bottger, Gunflint Trail- Jim Morrison, Ted Young and I met with Steve Schug and Greyling Brandt from the Gunflint Ranger District, USFS, on April 23 to discuss the 2010 Banadad Trail Work Plan. Steve commended the BTA for the excellent report/plan that was submitted and stated that none of the other trail associations they work with have even submitted a plan yet. (Jim Morrison was paged out on a fire call before we took the photo!)
The tough news from Steve was the fact that they have no funds to offer this year. In past years, the USFS contributed up $1500 toward the maintenance of the Banadad through the Forest Service’s Cost Share program.
Schug said the only aid would come through the Minnesota Conservation Corp crew (MCC) whose budget comes from federal stimulus funds. The MCC would work on the interior widening project near the Banadad Bridge with the Forest Service providing two canoes for MCC to travel to the work site. The possibility of another MCC crew for some additional work was left open.
Greyling agreed to assist the Association in preparing large trail maps and to provide map display posts and boards (called “bird cages”) for along the trail.
Schug also informed us that the USFS would no longer be able to provide liability insurance for our volunteer trail crews.
According to Ted Young, “Without finance assistance from the USFS we are confronted with about a $2000 deficit in this year’s $9000 projected maintenance budget. (See Trail Plan- section IV. Projects and Plans)
February 3, 2010, 5:16 am
Ted Young, Trail Administrator t- Last week I had to attend an important but boring state tourism conference; I was gone four days. When I returned I discoved that the weekend’s rain followed by twelve inches of snow had devastated the Banadad. The ice/snow covered brush and small trees had caved into the trail making it impassable. I have since hired two local guys and who along with Jim Raml and I are working to get the trail opened. Thus far we have now spent fifty-seven hours (two or three people each day) on the trail. We now have approximately 25kms of 39 kms open. We expect it will take another thirty hours or so to complete the job. I have requested supplementary funds from the DNR but not sure if they will come through.
November 2, 2009, 12:16 pm
The Banadad Trail Association’s Annual Meeting and Potluck is scheduled for 5:00 PM, Saturday October 24 at the Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B, 11 Poplar Creek Dr. on the Gunflint Trail. The meeting will be followed by a social get-together and potluck dinner. Anyone interested in and/or who skis this unique Boundary Waters trail is invited. Bring dish to pass.
Prior to the meeting the North Stars Ski Touring Club will spend the day clearing the Banadad. The public is invited to join-in. Meet at the Poplar Creek Guesthouse at 9:00 AM if you would like to help. Wear work clothes including water proof boots and bring your lunch. Tools will be provided.
For additional information on the Meeting, the Potluck and the trail workday contact 218-388-4487.
The Banadad Trail Association’s Annual Meeting and Potluck is scheduled for 5:00 PM, Saturday October 24 at the Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B, 11 Poplar Creek Dr. on the Gunflint Trail. The meeting will be followed by a social get-together and potluck dinner. Anyone interested in and/or who skis this unique Boundary Waters trail is invited. Bring dish to pass.
Prior to the meeting the North Stars Ski Touring Club will spend the day clearing the Banadad. The public is invited to join-in. Meet at the Poplar Creek Guesthouse at 9:00 AM if you would like to help. Wear work clothes including water proof boots and bring your lunch. Tools will be provided.
For additional information on the Meeting, the Potluck and the trail workday contact 218-388-4487.