Trail building in Alaska: Summer of 2021

Outdoor Explorer - Alaska Public Media

• A tool at work. Photo from MatSu Trail Parks Foundation.
• A trail near Kachemak Bay
• Alaska Trails Volunteers
• Trails at Kincaid Park, photo by Paul Twardock.
• A trail crew near Kachemak Bay.
• A trail crew near Kachemak Bay

Trails are one of the primary infrastructures in the outdoors. They lead us to destinations or are and end unto themselves. Trails get us through the bushes and into the high country. They provide opportunities for observing nature, exercise, and relaxation. A good trail is well designed and built to avoid erosion and lasts a long time. Trail building in Alaska has come a long way since people went straight up the fall line. Alaska Trails and other organizations and trail building businesses spend the winter months funding and planning for the summer trail building season. This show talks with the people who will be working on trails around the state, discussing what trail-building projects are happening this summer.

HOST: Paul Twardock

GUESTS:

• Steve Cleary: Alaska Trails
• Kathy Sarns-Irwin: Friends of Kachemak Bay State Parks
• Christine Byl: Interior Trails
• Wes Hoskins: Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation
• Nelson Crone: Valley Mountain Biker and Hikers

LINKS:

• Alaska Trails
• Friends of Kachemak Bay State Parks on Facebook
• Interior Trails
• Mat Su Trails and Parks Foundation
• Valley Mountain Biker and Hikers
• State of Alaska State Park Trail Maps

BROADCAST: Thursday, May 6th, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT

REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 6th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT

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