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TRAIL MAINTENANCE
Numerous trail maintenance projects have been completed this summer and fall.  Others are now again in progress throughout the forest thanks to the VOLUNTEER EFFORTS of many of our STC members, and members of the River to River Trail Society, the Shawnee Mountain Bike Association, and Illinois Trail Riders. In October, Mark Donham, President of RACE (Regional Association of Concerned Environmentalists) filed a Letter of Complaint with the forest service with legal threats calling for trail maintenance projects to cease especially in Wilderness Areas where gravel was being put on the trail surface to curb erosion.  Mr. Donham doesn't like white gravel because it isn't "natural".  After several meetings between the forest supervisor, Skip Starkey and Donham, there seems to be an agreement to use a red creek-type gravel on trails in Wilderness so work will soon resume.  Approximately 8 miles of trail has been completed and hundreds of feet of picket cable or rope line has been installed at popular equestrian resting areas.  These picket lines have been widely accepted by horsemen and are applauded by the forest service to prevent tree degradation.  Two LEAVE NO TRACE SEMINARS have been set up by SNF Trail Specialist Kelly Pearson, for Dec. 2 & 9 at Bear Branch Campground.  Campground owners and those who have applied for an outfitters permit are being asked to attend.  These programs will teach proper forest and trail stewardship, ethics, development and outfitting procedures.
 
 


Members of STC, River to River Trail Society, Shawnee Mountain Bikers, the Metropolis Hiking Club, and the Forest Service do trail Maintenance on the River to River Trail in Lusk Creek Wilderness near Eddyville by hauling gravel and installing water diversion bars.
 
 
 
 


Shawnee Trail Conservancy volunteers haul 200 pounds of gravel at a time by pack saddles to repair eroded or muddy areas in the Lusk Creek Wilderness River to River Trail.  100 ton of gravel needs to be moved from the trail head onto the trail.  Several ton has already been packed out by pack horse.
 
 
 
 


Wood bridge construction near Hayes Canyon by STC volunteers on private property which adjoins SNF.  The cost of materials was paid for by Hayes Canyon Campground, Bear Branch Campground, and the land owners - Bill & Cheryl Blackorby who have allowed multi use trails on their farm for public use.
 
 
 


STC Member volunteers built several wood bridges over ditches and muddy areas on trails near Hayes Canyon for equestrians, hiking, ATV, and bicycle use.  These trails also have been graveled or mulched to prevent erosion.
 
 
 
 


STC members install picket lines at areas where horsemen take lunch breaks near SNF scenic areas.  Horses tied to picket cables do not damage trees by chewing on them or causing soil compaction which may kill trees.
 
 
 
 
 

Lonnie Barger donated wild cherry boards and they were crafted meticulously by volunteer carpenters Don Roy, Don Cloud and Dick Manders who have built ONE FINE OUTHOUSE! 
Please provide your own toilet paper.