Many thanks to the Forest Service for incorporating expanded winter trails in their most recent alternatives drafted for the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area (MGRA) Master Plan. Round two of public comment is open and all comments must be received by February 21st.
More information on the plan’s updated alternatives can be found on the project website (click the “Supplemental Draft EIS and Resource Reports 2023” Folder) or by viewing the January 26th webinar. Two helpful docs as you sift through all of this information:
- View this table comparing the alternatives and their impacts.
- Figures 2-18 through 2-35 in the Jan 2023 Supplemental Draft EIS Volume 1.pdf are useful maps showing trails discussed in each of the alternatives.
Not sure what to make of all this? Don’t have the time to sift through it all? Believe in winter trails for all non-motorized users? Have no fear, the JNSC board will make it all clear! Generally, the JNSC believes:
- The Forest Service should more fully incorporate winter ski trail improvements and acknowledge the heavy use the MGRA receives by locals during the winter. (Yes, we know this document is geared towards addressing tourist capacity issues during the spring/summer/fall, but let’s not forget the fourth season!)
- The addition of groomed ski trails will greatly enhance opportunities for both locals and visitors to experience and enjoy the MGRA during the winter months.
- Climate change is directly impacting cross country skiing in Juneau. Therefore, the JNSC generally supports Forest Service decisions that help minimize the carbon footprint of the MGRA facilities.
- Connectivity of the MGRA trial networks is a crucial part of the JNSC vision for accommodating the growing capacity issues our trails face in the winter. The proposed trails and infrastructure in these alternatives would enable skiers (and hikers and snowshoers and bikers and dog-walkers) to encircle the entire Mendenhall Valley without kicking off their skis. All of these trails would be multi-use, non-motorized, and multi-season.
Specifically, the JNSC is advocating for the following priorities (remember, your comments do not have to stick to one alternative over another – you can mix and match and make comments that you think will make overall improvements to this latest draft):
- Steep Creek Intertie – make this under/overpass skiable in the winter! A connection between the Dredge Lake trail system and the Powerline & Under Thunder Trails would allow for seamless skiing along the east side of the valley, through Dredge Lake, across the Mendenhall River, on up to the Montana Creek valley, and into Spaulding Meadows….without having to take your skis off!
- Lake Shore Trail – it’s in almost all the alternatives and we are huge fans of making this trail wide enough for our machines to groom for winter skiing!
- Mendenhall River Bridge – this vital link in our expanding system is a critical component to making the Mendenhall Valley a world-class ski destination….keep it in!
- Dredge Lakes Loop – encircling the Dredge Lakes area, a 12′ wide trail would enable winter grooming for skiers, bikers, and walkers alike. This is only in alternative 6, but the JNSC is advocating for its full inclusion in all alternatives.
- Mendenhall Campground Cabins – the JNSC suggests the proposed caretaker’s cabin at the entrance double as a winter-time warming hut for skiers. The JNSC remains concerned about the impact the other campground cabins will have on deteriorating grooming conditions by non-skiers accessing cabins on foot, and suggest placing cabins elsewhere on the west side of the lake where there is road access.
- Skater’s Cabin Parking – the additional parking lots in alternatives 5 – 7 are preferred over adding parking inside the campground (alternatives 2 & 3) near the proposed Mendenhall Bridge.
- Tolch Rock Spur Trail – located in the SW corner of the MGRA, this link would connect the MGRA network of trails to the Montana Creek drainage trail system.
- West Glacier Trail Ski Loops – the JNSC encourages the Forest Service to keep the “high” and “low” loops in all alternatives, allowing for winter-time ski grooming (this may include improvements to the current West Glacier Trail to allow for winter grooming operations).
Comments can be submitted via one of the following methods:
- Online through the project public participation portal (preferred)
- Fax to (907) 586-8808
- Mail or hand deliver to the Juneau Ranger District, 8510 Mendenhall Loop Road, Juneau, Alaska, 99801. (The District office is open 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.)
Thank you for your advocacy! Who knows, one day we may cross paths skiing over the Mendenhall River or passing under the Glacier Spur Road as we navigate 50km of world-class of ski trails.
Until then, happy advocacy!
~The JNSC Board