Residents gain new trail from volunteer hard

MAT-SU—Nine members representing The American Hiking Society brought their love for hard work and the outdoors to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Their 10-day vacation was grub-work on the side of 3,527 foot Lazy Mountain. With mattocks, loppers, Pulaskis, and McCleods, the volunteer group cut the last eight-tenths of a mile of the new Lazy Moose Trail through the Devil’s Club and tree roots.

The new 2.5 - 3 mile trail merges with the original, infinitely more difficult, Lazy Mountain Trail. Built in 1987, the original trail suffers from constant erosion due to its straight up, calf-splitting ascent. While some people enjoy the physical challenges of the old trail, others have been pushing for a gentler alternate route. Volunteer Dave Mendenhall from Los Angeles, Calif., has received nothing but positive comments from locals who know about the project. “There was one lady who told me she hasn’t been able to hike up Lazy mountain for years because of its extreme pitch, but is excited with being able to do so again on the new trail.”

The MAT-SU Borough values its trails. Trails add to the quality of life and increase tourism. The MAT-SU Borough has more than 2,000 miles of winter and summer trails.

The workers arrived here from the Lower 48 on Volunteer Vacation, the term used by the American Hiking Society for volunteer based trail building projects. The group currently has projects in most of the states including in the Virgin Islands and Hawaii. They range in difficulty from moderate to very strenuous. Volunteers pay a registration fee and their own transportation. As the host agency, the MAT-SU Borough provides the accommodations and tools. Land Management Specialist for the Borough, Pat Owens, received high praise for her thoughtfulness for the camp setup and even her humor by including in the field supplies an actual kitchen sink.

The nine workers range in age from 24 to 73. Bonnie Plunkett, 31, quit her job and came up with her younger sister Emily Plunkett, 24, from California and says she’s enjoyed it so much that she plans on doing it again. But of the nine, one member stands out for her toughness and heart. A former Olympic body builder, 55-year-old Mary Chayka Crawford, from Detroit sports ripped arms that defy age and render roots powerless against her swings of the Pulaski. The affable volunteer seemed capable of clearing the entire trail by herself with a smile.

Several volunteer groups have put nearly four years of labor into the trail, especially the the local Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers who donated more than 2000 hours. With mostly volunteers doing the work, the total cost to the Borough has been less than $15,000. Pat Owen couldn’t be happier with this last push by the American Hikers Society. “We now have a very hike-able and sustainable trail that can be enjoyed by a wider range of people.”

For enthusiastic Crew Leader Terri Huntington and Wilma Messenger, a “get out and give back” slogan is one of the major motivators in doing this back-breaking work. Having an opportunity to experience beautiful places such as Alaska doesn’t hurt either.

For more information and images call Pat Owens, Land Management Specialist, at 745-9572 or email Media Design Specialist Stefan Hinman at 745-9520 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Photos by Stefan Hinman/MSB Top: Full crew Terri Huntington, Dave Mendenhall, Emily Plunkett, Wilma Messenger, Evelyn Wisniski, in red Natalie Patterson, Cindy Ardecki, Bonnie Plunkett, Mary Chaynka Crawford

Photo right: Cindy Ardecki gloved up and ready with the Pulaski.

Photo left: Mary Chaynka Crawford works with loppers.