The proposed project by Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage (NSAA) was submitted with the intent to provide a classical only ski loop that can be reached from Service High School and Hilltop trail heads.The project proposes to follow gentle terrain addressing increasing needs of the beginner / older skiers who travel at a slower pace and a trail that will retain some of the experiences of a natural trail yet allow grooming with minimum snow depths.

This proposal has been reviewed by Parks and Recreation (P&R) staff, by trail users and public at three different forums and has been available to individuals to review on the NSAA website. The NSAA intent is to gain approval, apply for a Park Foundation Challenge Grant and begin work tentatively in the summer of 2006.

Parks and Recreation recommends general concept approval of the proposed trail reconstruction and new trail construction based on user group collaboration, cooperative and sustainable trail design.  The following conditions of work are recommended to be applied to the NSAA project.  It is understood that the actual construction prescription of each trail project component may be redefined as determined collaboratively by NSAA and Parks and Recreation.

Existing Bog Trail Reconstruction

The reconstruction of the existing Bog Trail is supported by consensus agreement of the trail user groups and P&R. NSAA will be allowed to mow trail as proposed, add soil/wood chips in identified stony portion of trail, develop a trail treatment for the identified 280 ft of deep bog trail, remove 4-5 down trees, and re-establish tread width of 14 ft.

The trail will be established for 2 way directions and may be designated as a winter only trail if the deep bog trail treatment becomes prohibited.  Nordic will be allowed to use trail building techniques common to wet/boggy trails and will be allowed to create drainage cuts to direct water off and away from trail surface.

The trail intersection configuration at the Bog and Richter Connector will be a Triangular “Y “shaped with separated on/off trails. The intersection will be some 50 – 75 yards from the base of the ridge. Live tree removal will be minimizing as much as possible.

New Bog to Richter Connector Trail

The construction of a new trail known as the Bog to Richter Connector Trail is supported by consensus agreement of the trail user groups and P&R.  NSAA will be allowed to establish / build gradual beginner / moderate 12-14 ft ski trail, chipping trees and mixing into soil, keeping low below glacier erratic, take advantage of terrain to wind / curve trail to control speed and establish trail flow.

The trail will be established for 2 way directions built in a sustainable way and follow the contours of the land. NSAA will take advantage of terrain coming off the ridge creating curves to slow speeds, will consider creating flow in the straight /flat areas and will enter the Bog trail some 50 - 75 yards from the base of the ridge.

The trail intersection configuration at both ends at the Bog and Richter Loop trails will be a Triangular “Y “shaped with separated on/off trails.  Intersections will have good line of sights and in areas that are flat to increase safety.  Live tree removal will be minimizing as much as possible taking advantage of open forest areas and curving the trail to minimize large tree removal.  Final trail alignment approval will be granted in the early spring before breakup after a field inspection and adjustments.

Existing Richter Loop Reconstruction

The reconstruction and surface reconditioning of the existing Richter Loop trail, incorporating cooperative trail design is supported by consensus agreement of the trail user groups and P&R.  NSAA will be allowed to recondition and reestablish a tread cross section to 10 ft with a maximum 12 ft clearance by using a more surgical approach by the Merri Crusher than purposed, minimum tilling of areas where ruts / roots are greater than 4 inches. A lesser tiller use (6 treatments vs. 10 with the intent being not over tilling the trail) is approved in areas of need.  Trail dips / crests greater than 10 -12 feet apart will not be flattened like that 3-8 ft apart.  The tiller will be used to mill down stumps / grass / woody humps along the trail to avoid root balls, creating more wobble / flow in the trail corridor and help promote grass growth outside of the 10 ft tread.

Intersections will be in areas of flat terrain and have good visibility increasing line of sight.  Tree removal to establish a maximum 12 ft clearance will be limited to the 11-12 identified trees and chipped to add to the soil base. The western wet problem area of Richter will be built up with chips and flexed to the inside curve to improve drainage with no gravel (D1) used to fill mud holes. The trail will remain as a single direction trail

New E/W Bypass Connector

The construction of a new trail known as the E/W Bypass Connector Trail is supported by consensus agreement of the trail user groups and P&R.  NSAA will be allowed to create a one way E/W connector trail between the south and north legs of the Richter Loop trail.  The E/W Connector will be constructed with a 10 ft trail tread width with a maximum 12 ft clearance between trees with a clear vertical column to avoid limb damage to equipment.

The Connector would be established as a single direction trail and will incorporate some curves to reducing speed and creating trail flow.  The east entrance would be approximately 50 – 75 yards south from the base of the North End Hill with the west end connecting near the point where the south end of the Ridge Loop Trail leaves the Richter Trail. The intersections will be gently arched / sweeping in the direction of trail.

General conditions applicable to trail designs

NSAA is encouraged to take trail building approach that addresses specific problems of drainage and erosion to help retain the character of the trail for all uses and stop the deterioration of the tread.

The trails should be designed and maintained with all seasons and a variety of users in mind.

Trail work will begin only after the ground conditions are dry minimizing construction equipment damage to the trail.

Soil material that resembles the natural surface (not standard gravel) is encouraged rather than wood chips compacted in a manner so it won’t be “sprayed” off the trail by users and will provide a stable surface.

Final route flagging and GPS coordinates will be accomplished in early spring before breakup.

Final project approval and trail alignments contingent to Pre Summer walk / final route with Parks and Recreation.

NSAA is encouraged to collaborate with the trail user groups during pre construction process.

Safety signage will be provided at entrances of work and at detours.

All applicable safety work rules will be followed by NSAA.

NSAA will coordinate with P&R on the scheduling of work to avoid event conflicts.

NSAA will post all major trailheads of work schedule and trail project progress reports.

NSAA agrees that the project trails will not become skate ski trails and remain as diagonal cross country ski trails in the winter.

Summary

Parks and Recreation recognizes NSAA 30 + years of extensive trail improvements and is supportive of this partnership effort.  Parks and Recreation also recognizes that the trail system provides recreation to multiple users in the summer.  By collaboration with the trail users and cooperative trail design, we believe the intent of this project proposal can be achieved and the skiing community can benefit.