Know Your Island, Mitchell Hill Deep Forest Walk Saturday

Mountain Biker, Amrita Ibold, Jenny Rice, Mark Hetrick and Steve Ray – Contributed Photo

San Juan Trails will host a Know Your Island Walk Saturday, September 23. Meet at the Horse Trail Road entrance (on West Valley Road about 3/4 mile north of Mitchell Bay Road) at 1:00 pm. Come on this beautiful deep forest walk led by David Harsh and see what volunteers can do working together. The walk is moderate on hilly trails and dogs on leashes are welcome. Walkers will return at 4:00 pm.

In 2011 not long after the NPS had taken over the former DNR, all the users groups came together for the purpose of saving favorite trails. The NPS sent David Harsh and Steve Ray to help sort it out.  Rik Karon of the Equestrians brought a design, US Forestry approved, supplied by Back Country Horsemen. Mark Hetrick, a local contractor designed the setting. All under the supervision of the NPS and with their help and machinery the task was taken on.

ACE and Brown’s donated building materials. The SJI Trails Committee donated funds and members to help.  Volunteers came out from all groups; mountain bikers,women’s riding groups, hikers, high school volunteers including four Chinese foreign exchange students from Spring Street School.

This was the first of two puncheons, low bridges, needed to protect the seasonal creeks beneath. The second puncheon was built the next spring as a high school community project by high school girls Julia Bevins and Robin Roberts and the same groups under the NPS. They remain beautiful reminders of when all user groups came together to help save our natural heritage.

Steve Ray, Mark Hetrick, Rik Karon, and David Harsh – Contributed Photo

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