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Volunteers clear the way for hikers
By Tom Daniel
 | | Clearing Ivan-damaged trails is a lot more than chainsaw work. Above, volunteers clear debris in a flooded dune area. |
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Special to Splash!
Local hiking trails are valuable recreation assets to West Florida. They are heavily used by outdoor enthusiasts and area youth groups. The 2004 hurricane season left plenty of work for local hikers. The Western Gate Chapter of the Florida Trail Association (FTA) maintains 130 miles of hiking trails in the western panhandle.
FTA develops and maintains hiking trails statewide, with its main focus being the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST). This 1300+ mile footpath has its southern terminus rooted in the Big Cypress Swamp west of Miami. It snakes its way north and west until it finds its northern terminus at Fort Pickens.
 | | Area beaches and preserves were ravaged by Ivan’s flood surge.
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The job of surveying Hurricane Ivan damage and planning the clean-up was a monumental task, but was soon underway. Trail damage assessment at Blackwater River State Forest (38 miles), Eglin AFB Reservation (56 miles), and Garcon Point (3 miles) were completed by November. Key segments of the FNST in Gulf Islands National Seashore from Fort Pickens to Navarre Beach remain inaccessable and not surveyed.
Survey teams found 'downed' trees everywhere, but Blackwater River State Forest was the most heavily impacted. In excess of 1300 trees blocked hiking trails at Blackwater, major waterway had flooded, and in places trail routes had been obliterated by straight line winds or tornadic activity.
FTA volunteers, in the less Ivan impacted Okaloosa County, started the clean up effort in Eglin where 300-400 trees needed removal. This work is not completed, but is well underway. Recently the 12 mile FNST segment along State Road 87 was cleared of Ivan blow downs.
In October, volunteers cleared and opened the Garcon Point Trail. Blackwater is another story. It was apparent that professional help was needed. In November, the U.S. Forest Service stepped in with chainsaw skills and safety training for FTA members. A second training session in scheduled for late January. A Forest Service crew of six professional sawyers started work in the Blackwater area January 26, clearing trail blockages.
The hiking trails recovery effort in West Florida is well underway. The goals are to open the Blackwater sections by early summer and the Santa Rosa Island trail section by the end of 2005. The Eglin AFB Reservation is open to recreation and the FNST on Eglin is open to hikers. Hiking on Eglin does require the purchase of a $7 Recreation Permit.
In the ongoing Ivan recovery effort, there is much that individuals can do. f you thinking its all chainsaw work think again!
Chainsaw work is just the first pass. There is a roll for everyone. By the end of January we will have trained 30 certified sawyers. We also need people to do the lighter work. We need volunteers to: clear debris, lop back smaller brush, re-blaze trails, record the activity with cameras, write articles encouraging non-members to participate and, if you have other ideas lets hear them.
There is no shortage of opportunity to play a part. There are both weekday and weekend work activities. February activities are as follows:
n Thursday, Feb. 3rd, Blackwater assisting US Forest Service sawyer crews.
n Saturday, Feb. 5th, Blackwater clearing trail, blazing, lopping.
n Tuesday, Feb. 8th, Eglin clearing trail, blazing, lopping.
n Saturday, Feb. 12th, Blackwater clearing trail, blazing, lopping.
n Tuesday, Feb. 15th, Eglin clearing trail, blazing, lopping.
n Saturday, Feb. 19th, Eglin clearing trail, blazing, lopping.
n Tuesday, Feb. 22nd, Blackwater clearing trail, blazing, lopping.
n Saturday, Feb. 26th, Seven Runs blazing, lopping.
Individuals interested in learning more about FTA activities or the trail recovery effort should contact Ed Walker at (850) 932-5469.
Tom Daniel is Trail Coordinator, Florida Trail Association.
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