Falls Creek Bridge Area Maintenance

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

We will be hiking on a portion of the Iditarod National Historic Trail on the Seward Ranger District throughout the day between Ptarmigan Creek Trail and Vagt Lake.  We will work on drainage maintenance and brushing along the INHT while promoting awareness of the new Falls Creek bridge and the segments of the Iditarod that it connects.  Most of the work will be focused along the Ptarmigan to Falls Creek section of trail.  The work will be strenuous at times using hand tools such as pulaskis, shovels, loppers, and pulling out brush by hand.  Volunteers should be aware of their own abilities.  

HIKING INFO:

We will be doing a through hike on the Iditarod of between 4.25 and 5.5 miles.

SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY OR WEEKEND:

Saturday, August, 27 2022

9:00AM – 4:30PM

Meet at the Kenai Lake Work Center in Moose Pass by 9AM, review safety documents and project overview, gather tools for the trail.  Consolidate vehicles and drive to the Vagt Lake Trailhead on Mine Road, approximately 2 miles north of the Work Center to drop off a couple vehicles.  We will then return south to the Ptarmigan Creek trailhead across from the Work Center to begin hiking here and work our way north.  We will return to the vehicles by way of either Crown Point Mine Road or the Vagt Lake trail depending on time.  We will spend the entire day on the trail and return to the Kenai Lake Work Center by 4:30PM.

WHAT IT TAKES:

Work will be strenuous at times and volunteers must come prepared with food and water for the day. We will brush many sections of trail by pulling out smaller alders by hand and lopping some larger brush as well as use hand tools to clean out and maintain existing drainages. Proper work gloves with good grip will be essential. We will be hiking the whole day. We will not be returning to the trailhead for lunch. Volunteers MUST be prepared with appropriate attire (including sturdy footwear/ boots, work gloves, eye protection) and safety gear.

WHAT TO WEAR:

Long Pants (you may stain them with dirt)

Long Sleeves

Sturdy Work/ Hiking Boots (NOT sneakers)

WHAT TO BRING:

Food (lunch and snack)

Water bottles for a whole day on the trail (recommend 1 gallon at least)

Work Gear:

o Work gloves with good grip, if you have them

o Rain gear, warm layers, bug spray, sunscreen

o Eye protection (sunglasses)

o Backpack (lunch, food, water for the day)

Alaska Trails will provide hand tools and PPE:

- Shovels, Pulaskis, Picks, Loppers, Hardhats, Gloves, Eye Protection

WHAT NOT TO BRING:

Dogs

Children

Firearms

DIRECTIONS/ADDRESS/NAME OF TRAILHEAD:

Volunteers will meet at Kenai Lake Work Center (Mile 23 of the Seward Highway, just north of the railroad crossing) at 9:00am outside of the main office (1st building on the compound). After introductions, discussing the Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), and gathering tools, we will then shuttle a couple vehicles to the Vagt Lake Trailhead on Mine Road, approximately 2 miles north of the Work Center. We will leave a vehicle here and begin hiking at the Ptarmigan Creek Trailhead  so that we can exit the INHT as time allows via either Crown Point Mine Road or Vagt Lake Trail.