“When we wrote the Trail Stewardship Grant, we committed to holding an annual cleanup day and this is the first one!” beamed Diane Magone, chairperson of the Mineral County Rails to Trails chapter.  

“We are mostly concerned about the 2-mile section upper trail as it is officially designated a part of the Great American Rail-Trail and is reflected as such on their cross-country map, but we also will be cleaning up the lower trails, the Austin-Woodhouse Scenic Loop, as time permits.”

From reports, Magone was told that there is very little trash so the cleanup will consist mostly of removing pinecones and brush from the trails. Bert Lindler and Kristi DuBois with the Great Burn Conservation Alliance have been out to the trail that goes past the eagle’s nest, which appears to be inactive. 

“In fact, Kristi said the nest was not in good condition, so we think it's not being used this year.  We are in the process of getting more information, just to make sure though.  If it is being used, we will simply avoid that area, which is down in the east corner of the project,” Magone said. 

There will be a pickup truck for removing the gathered debris and a chainsaw and wire cutters if needed, but volunteers are asked to bring garden rakes, scoop shovels, gloves, long handled clippers, and refillable water bottles. 

Magone stated, “This is also a chance for people to check out the newly constructed portion on the west side that accesses the Old Milwaukee section of the railroad that Doug and Dana Austin own and gave Mineral County MT Rails-to-Trails a permanent easement so the trail could be used by residents and visitors in perpetuity.”

Cohosted by the Mineral County Rec Club and Mineral County Resource Council, this event is also in recognition of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's National Trail Day and the opening of this section of the Great American Rail Trail. 

It begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 26 and ends once the clean-up is complete, probably around 2:00pm.  Families can also bring their bikes, if desired, and dogs on leashes are welcome. People should meet at the east side gate, accessible by leaving I-90 at the Crystal Springs Exit 65 and then following the frontage road west until they reach the DNRC gate and parking lot. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers who RSVP by Wednesday April 23. Email Diane Magone at [email protected].

“The Rec Club is just helping the Mineral County Rails-to-Trails group since we collaborate with numerous non-profit organizations in our community.  It is not a Rec Club activity, but our club does support it and will most likely have members volunteer that day,” shared Bessie Spangler, president of the Mineral County Rec Club.