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As some/most/all of you may know, back in (around) 1996 Backpacker magazine created National Trails Day...the idea being that one day each year, hikers/backpackers/trail users would give back through an all out effort across the country to do trail maintenance...be it picking up trash, clearing brush, or even more involved work with trail crews...now like most of you, I tend to pick up trash as I hike, so I know you all know what I'm talking about...

Each year Pat and I have done our own Trails Day thing...mostly just picking up trash on Wind Cave Trail....this past June I checked out a few of the organized events, and was surprised to discover that I couldn't find an event to do actually trail maintenance, but did find a bunch of trail expos/festivals...

So, I was thinking, maybe next year (June 1, 2003) HAZ members can sponsor/put together/offer up a Trails Day activity....then I was also thinking that we could maybe do a monthly/bi-monthly trail maintenance activity...be it on the same trail each month, or rotate the trail each month, whatever, I just thought it might be a cool thing. A way to give back a bit...

It could be as simple as each month, someone (me, GTG, Mike, whoever) picks a trail, a date, and a time, and whoever can show up does so and we just do light maintenance...pick up trash, etc as we hike the trail...of course, a meal afterward could be planned, along with adult beverages, etc...or maybe someone picks up a bunch of coffee's for before the work starts...whatever...

Anyone interested? What do you think?

ck1 wrote: We missed you! I got your pm, I think you were heading to a different trailhead. I left a note for you at the Meridian Trail access point/trailhead on Meridian Road just south of the actual "Meridian Trailhead"...(does that make sense?)...saying that we'd be at the Levee Trail Trailhead area at Crismon and McKellips.

Doh! I should read these pm's a little quicker. I went to the trailhead at the end of Meridian. Got there at the stroke of 6 am too. That's where I usually park to hike Pass Mtn. or ride back down Meridian to the end of Meridian Trail to MTB it.

It wasn't as bad as I remember but there was still plenty to do. I spent a couple of hours there and filled two 40-gallon trash bags and filled a plastic garbage can with recycleables. There was a disturbing amount of drug paraphernalia around, including a couple of needles. It felt good to give back some of the dignity to nature that she so willingly gives to us. The weather was good too.

And speaking of stuff that didn't fit in a garbage bag... I collected a muffler and some of the exhaust pipe, some rebar, about 50 feet of Romex electrical cable, the lid from a Coleman cooler, a starter motor, a roll of old barb wire, and a usuable crescent wrench.

A few folks came up to hike and it was enjoyable to spend some time with them as well. Sorry I missed you but I think there'll be other times. And now TWO trailheads look a little better than they did. Take care.

-Neal

nealz wrote:06:00 is good by me. I'll bring rakes, shovels and other implements of destruction and garbage bags. Gloves might be a good idea too.

-Nealz

One big pile is better than two little piles huh?

MaryPhyl wrote: One big pile is better than two little piles huh?

Yup, Arlo Guthrie woulda been pleased.

-Nealz