Boy Scouts patch up a half-mile segment
WETMORE -- Erosion problems, roots, and brush--that's what you'll find if you take a hike on the Bruno's Run trail in the Hiawatha National Forest.
But Boy Scouts from all over the U.P. are hard at work restoring one of the worst half-mile segments on the trail as part of an Order of the Arrow, or Boy Scout National Honor Society, project.
"They're clearing brush and brushing them back and also working on the tread...improving the tread for both hikers and bikers," explains District Ranger, Dave Silvieus.
While it's a lot of physical work to get the job done, the Scouts are hopeful that both new and old riders will appreciate the restoration.
"They want to try out this trail because it's a nice trail. It really is a beautiful trail for bikers and hikers both, but when they get in there and see all those roots, it's kind of demoralizing, and it takes away from the opportunity because it's harder to do the trail when it's all like that. So we're fixing it up and cleaning it up so people can have a better time on this trail," describes Boy Scout, Conor Parker.
It's important for Bruno's Run to receive a little TLC since it's the only designated single track mountain biking trail in Alger County. Hundreds of riders flock to it each year to check out the nine miles surrounding various lakes. And after the Scout's work is complete, the riders will notice a difference.
"They'll notice that this section of trail has been smoothed out and is a much better flowing trail. Before, this section was so rough that it was almost unrideable, and what the riders would do is bypass it and ride down the road and get on the trail someplace else," says Anna River Pedalers member, Larry Treul.
While the Boy Scouts won't be restoring the entire trail this year, they hope to restore another section next year.