Pend Oreille Pedalers' work day repairs popular trail
(Courtesy photo) Pend Oreille Pedalers members held a trail work day this fall on the Greta’s Segway portion of the Syringa Heights/Sherwood Forest trail system, locatedlocated on Pine Street just west of downtown Sandpoint.
The Pend Oreille Pedalers held a trail work day this fall on the Greta’s Segway portion of the Syringa Heights/Sherwood Forest trail system. This very popular system of trails located on Pine Street just west of downtown Sandpoint was built and is maintained by the Pedalers bicycle club with permission of the Ravenwood HOA, Kaniksu Land Trust, and several generous property owners.
“This trail sees lots of use by not only mountain bikers, but runners and hikers looking for some exercise and the chance to enjoy these forested trails so close to town,” says Mike Murray, club president. “Because of the high traffic, a portion of the trail was experiencing erosion and some mud holes were forming, causing users to go around the muddy sections and widening the trail.”
Club Vice President Brandon Kaastad reached out to Brian Woods, owner of Woods Crushing and Hauling, to order a few yards of 3/4-inch-minus gravel for the trail resurfacing. However, when Brian found out about the intended project, he proposed donating the load of gravel. Kaastad also reached out to Steve Mix, owner of Selkirk Sprinklers. Mix, who was instrumental in helping to develop the Baldfoot Disk Golf course, volunteered to use his Ditch Witch mini-excavator and trailer to get the gravel on the trail.
“With the help of volunteer/members of POP, and the material and services donated, we were able to make quick work of resurfacing over 200 yards of trail. The ¾-inch-minus gravel will compact down nicely under foot and wheel traffic and provide a durable surface that resists erosion and runoff for a long time,” says Kaastad.
Pend Oreille Pedalers said in a statement that the clud would like to thank Brian Woods of Woods Crushing and Hauling, Steve Mix of Selkirk Sprinklers, club officers Mike Murray and Brandon Kaastad as well as all of the club officers, members and volunteers. The club also thanked the property owners who graciously opened their property to allow these trails to be built, and to the trail users and stewards who use these trails responsibly.
To learn more about the Pend Oreille Pedalers, their trail and advocacy projects (such as the Watershed Crest Trail), sponsored bike rides, and to become a member, please go to www.PendOreillePedalers.com or find them on Facebook.