Wednesday, August 6, 2008

More volunteers sought for trail work

Next Rotarun trail work session will be held tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 6


By JASON KAUFFMAN
Express Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Chris Leman, Big Wood Backcountry Trails Big Wood Backcountry Trails volunteers Chris Gardner, far left, Paul Gerew, John Sproule and Trent Gerew work on a section of trail in the new Rotarun Trail Network during a work session last Wednesday, July 30. The trails group is seeking additional volunteers for another trail work session scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 6.

Volunteers with Big Wood Backcountry Trails are making progress on constructing new dirt trails in the Rotarun area out Croy Canyon. The trails advocacy group is seeking additional volunteers to help out with work scheduled for later today, Wednesday, Aug. 6.

The group's executive director, Chris Leman, said they are taking the "slow and steady" approach to finishing the trail-building project west of Hailey.

"It takes a lot of time and manpower to build hand-built trails, but we feel we're building something special, something that will be another point of pride for our great community," he said.

Big Wood Backcountry Trails is working in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Shoshone Field Office on the construction of a new 18-mile system of trails that will be known as the Rotarun Trail Network. The network will include 15 miles of single-track dirt trails and three miles of existing roads.

Volunteers are using hand tools to build a 2.5-mile section of the network. The remaining 12.5 miles of trail will be machine-built by a contractor hired by the BLM.

During a work party held last Wednesday, local volunteers included Paul Gerew, Trent Gerew, Mike Stevens, Pete Heaphy, Chris Gardener, John Sproule, Randy Ashton, Alex Floyd, Nate Galpin, Brandon Glanville, Dan Henry and Chris Leman. BLM local recreation planner John Kurtz and recreation specialist Mike Setlock also helped out with the effort.

The dirt will continue to fly on the volunteer construction project every Wednesday evening this summer, a news release from the trails group states.

Saying additional volunteers are still needed, Leman encouraged people to get involved.

"The work is actually a lot of fun, and the evenings are a great time to be out there," he said. "The temperature is pleasant and the scenery from up on the hillsides is really nice. Everyone enjoys pitching in and putting their mark on a trail they'll be enjoying for years to come."

Tonight's work session will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Volunteers should park at the Rotarun ski hill off of Rodeo Drive. Bring work gloves, eye protection and plenty of water. Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes or boots, long-sleeved shirts and long pants. People are asked to leave their dogs at home.

Volunteers are asked to phone or e-mail Leman if they can attend, so he can be sure to bring enough tools and post-work refreshments. Leman can be reached at (208) 721-1691 or goodtrails@gmail.com.

For additional local trail information visit the Big Wood Backcountry Trails Web site at www.bwbt.org.




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