On the Three Lakes trail system south of Petersburg, hikers can follow miles of mostly boardwalk pathways around lakes and trees that lead deep into the Tongass National Forest on Mitkof Island.
Some sections of the trail system got upgraded this summer, with help from seasonal workers contracted by the U.S. Forest Service.
Recreation Specialist Tyler Shaw said some of the wooden boards that make up the Three Lakes trail system were installed in the 90s. That style of trail is called step-and-run — planks of wood with netting on top that create a winding, usually single-file path through muskeg and forest. But Shaw said that, while it works well in the unique muskeg environment, it’s a lot of lumber and difficult to maintain.
So, the Forest Service replaced some of the old step-and-run near Hill Lake with fresh wood and netting. Near Crane Lake, they replaced most of the wood with a gravel trail, instead.
“We’re hoping that making a more durable surface … will have less maintenance over the years and offer better accessibility into areas,” Shaw said.
Much of the on-the-ground work was done by people employed through the Student Conservation Association, a nonprofit organization part of AmeriCorps that connects young people with conservation jobs.
Shaw said bringing in workers each summer helps them accomplish more than they could with just the local Forest Service crew. He said it also gives the young workers a leg up in the conservation field, like it did when he started out as an intern.
“Now I’m a recreation specialist that worked up the throughout the years, and built a lot of experience just because I did that internship,” Shaw said. “So it’s also investment into the Forest Service.”
The Student Conservation Association workers this summer came to Petersburg from across the country.
“I just love working in the outdoors. I love being out here and doing what I can to make a difference, because every little bit helps,” said David Beltrao from Florida.
Lohma Gronau, who is from Texas, said the couple of months working on the trail had “been tough at times, but we’ve made a lot of progress.”
Work on the Three Lakes trail system is finished for this year. Shaw said the Forest Service plans to continue the maintenance and reconstruction projects there in the years to come.
“It makes me feel good that we’re able to still offer something to the public, and invest into younger generations … to work in the outdoors,” said Shaw.
