Trails Committee makes improvements to Choctaw Trail
A magnificent Indian trail tree halfway down the trail.
Those of you who have walked the Choctaw Trail recently may have noticed a new path through the woods connecting back to the trail, from the steps leading to the parking lot to the last 100 feet prior to Choctaw Pass.
Bill Dempsey uses a swingblade to clear vines covering the path.
The idea came up when we found out that the existing Choctaw Trail traverses several lots. It also has a very steep and eroded section, making it difficult to walk. Fortunately, there is a sizable area of green space that would be suitable for building a trail that would offer an easier and prettier hike, while keeping it out of private property.
We scouted out potential paths and finally marked with flags and tape our choice. Then we put together an illustrated plan and presented it to the POA for approval. When the plan was approved we went to work.
We organized the work days based on the weather forecast. On each day a group of available committee members would bring trail building tools and meet at the parking on Issi Run, where we would discuss the plan for that day, go over safety precautions and go to work.
Map used to propose the new trail to the POA.
Carl Peterson, Mitch Waldman and Dianna Peterson after clearing out the branches of a fallen tree.
Don Gallagher, Rita Boje and Doug Hanley take a break.
Ignacio Leon, Reg Richard and Don Gallagher finishing a section of trail.
On the first day we removed the vegetation, leaves and fallen trees or branches off the path. On the following sessions we cleared a large fallen oak, carved the trail, created cribbing to hold the path on the down hill side, added stepping stones where needed and added water diversion features to prevent erosion. Finally on the last 2 days of work we installed 18 steps made of reclaimed 6x6 timbers we found at the Borrow Pit, secured with rebar. We also got gravel from the Borrow Pit which we shoveled into 5-gallon buckets and transported to the steps using some of the members’ all-wheel drive vehicles. In addition, we collected many large rocks to edge the steps for erosion control. For the steps we had the expert tutelage of Clardy Schwarz, former Operations Chair of the committee.
Reg Richard, Morgan and Sarah Beall.
Clardy Schwarz, Reg Richard, Morgan Beall, Steve Papke, Mitch Waldman, Liz Scherer.
Mike Permenter builds an erosion control section.
It took 22 committee members 7 workdays for a total of 150 man hours to complete the 0.2 mile trail through the beautiful woods.
A feature of the trail is a spectacular Indian tree half way down the trail. We called Don Wells, an expert in Indian trees, who came to see it and confirmed it is indeed a sacred marker Indian tree. He keeps a log of all tree locations and added this one to his records.
Signs will be directing users of the Choctaw trail to use the new connector.
Completed steps. Back row: John Hansen, Mitch Waldman, Bill Dempsey, Don Gallagher, Reg Richard. Middle: Sheila Waldman. Front: Jim Spearman and Joe Cano.