Willow Trails Committee
Mission Statement: To provide safe, enjoyable and legal recreational trails for Willow residents and visitors.
Goals:
- Identify historic and currently used trails.
- Obtain public use easements for recreational trails and trailheads.
- Maintain trails for safe and enjoyable use.
- Provide information to the public on trail safety and etiquette.
- Provide a forum for trail related issues.
Trail News
The Willow Trail Committee and the Willow Health Organization have partnered together for the Willow Community Summer Trails Project. This project will develop safe and accessible trails for walking, running, biking, horse and ATV riding, connecting neighborhoods and businesses, public and medical facilities, senior centers, parks and greenbelt areas. The first step is to develop a master plan. This summer we will be applying for funding and assistance for the plan to the Mat-Su Health Foundation and the NPS, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. If you are interested in being part of this project, please contact Nina at 495-1112 or Steve, 495-6368.
This past winter, the trail committee spent $17,000 allocated to us by the State grooming pool. This is the result of lots of snow, many trail races and events, plus the additional of new trails due to the opening of the Susitna Valley Winter Trail. A big thanks to chief groomer, Bill Luth, and his army of volunteers, Robin Kling, Bob Hutchinson, Mike Frahm, Steve Jerneski, and many others.
Saturday, March 14 was the grand opening of the Susitna Valley Winter Trail. This new trail consists of a 120 mile groomed and signed winter trail from Big Lake to Denali State Park. State Parks helped organize the four local trail organizations, the Mat-Su Borough and State DNR create this beautiful avenue to the back country.
If you would like to be placed on the WTC email list or have questions, call 495–6368. The Willow Trail Committee meets the third Wednesday of each month, 7pm at the Willow Community Center.
Winter Trail Conditions
Willow Dog Mushers collect our reports, and those of others, and publish a summary of trail conditions.
Willow Area Trail Plan
The June 2006 edition is available both as a downloadable PDF and as
text indexed by section.
Trail History
We hope to document early uses of our various trails, both for their historical
value and to preserve precedence.
Trail Links
A nice Frontiersman article can be found here for those who may have missed it (Sep 12, 2006) (reprinted in the News-Minor and the Juneau Empire).
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Recreational Trails Project Facts can be found here.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Trail Guide and Trail Conditions page can be found here.
Alaska recreational trails, state grants and trail resources can be found here.
Big Lake Trails, Inc’s web site has information about activities and projects, rides and events. Additionally, members can download trail data (GPS, Maps, GoogleEarth trip planning etc).
Mid Valley Trail Club (Susitna Landing) have maps (for download) of Trapper Lake
area trails on their web site http://www.mvtrailclub.org
Willow Trails Committee
Steve Charles, Chair
Phone: 6368 Email: trails@waco-ak.org
Meets: 3rd Wednesday/Month, WCC, 7PM
