While many have been enjoying the long lazy days of summer, the Jasper Trail Alliance has been busy improving the town鈥檚 network of trails.
The local organization recently finished trail improvements on Pyramid Bench and the nearby horse stables, focusing mainly on the 2d and the Star Wars trails.
鈥淲e鈥檝e done a lot of work in that surrounding area. A lot of the trails were overgrown so we did a lot of site clearing,鈥� said Loni Klettl, a Jasper Trail Alliance leader and one of its founding members.
鈥淗orses, cyclists, runners鈥攅verybody uses these trails so we want to make sure that everyone can see everyone.鈥�
The volunteer group began meeting at the beginning of June for what it calls 鈥渉igh five trail days鈥�. The crew meets three times a month鈥攐n the 5th, 15th and 25th of every month. During that time, Klettl said the group鈥攚hich is usually five to eight people鈥攃ompletely reworked a portion of the 2d trail.
鈥淎 part of the trail used to go straight down so we decided to slow it down, adding some curves and drainage to the trail,鈥� Klettl said. 鈥淭his work was actually quite a challenge for me because I鈥檝e never worked on such a big project that also had to support horses.鈥�
Along the Star Wars Trail, the crew rehabbed some old trails leading away from the Cottonwood Corrals鈥� stables.
The alliance also recently refurbished a chunk along Pyramid Bench鈥攋ust above Patricia Lake.
鈥淭here was this 90 degree angle and you can鈥檛 expect anyone on a bike to turn on that kind of angle,鈥� Klettl said. 鈥淲e just pulled back the corner and set the trail a little differently and now it鈥檚 better for everybody.鈥�
While Klettl said the group focuses on improving the trails for all users, she said she personally likes to add a few fun features for the biking community.
鈥淓very chance I get I like to put in something that appeals to a bike,鈥� Klettl said. 鈥淲hen improving trails you always want to take advantage of natural features鈥攜ou always want to take advantage of big rocks because then you can bike over these big rocks and make some ramps, but we also always include an easy option on the side to accommodate everybody.鈥�
For each project the group takes on, the alliance crafts a work plan that is then submitted to Parks Canada for approval. The group is currently waiting for approval to start work on Razorback Trail.
鈥淩ight now the two lower arms of the (Razorback) trail just go straight down,鈥� Klettl said. 鈥淲e鈥檇 like to go in and build it like we did with the Water Tower Trail.鈥�
Last year, Klettl said improvements to the Water Tower Trail鈥攐ne of Jasper鈥檚 classic downhill rides鈥攚as one of the alliance鈥檚 greatest successes to date.
The Friends of Jasper, which oversees the Jasper Trail Alliance, has also been busy this summer. In June the organization started a new program called Trail Tuesdays, which brought volunteers to the top of Whistlers Mountain to realign, redefine and rehabilitate the Whistlers Summit Trail, from the top of the SkyTram to the summit.
While rebuilding and revamping trails might sound like a challenge fit for highly skilled professionals, Klettl said the task is actually so easy that anyone can do it. During the years, the alliance has had numerous elementary school classes join them on some of Jasper鈥檚 trails.
鈥淚 never know who鈥檚 going to show up. I could have people from all over the world,鈥� said Klettl, adding that sometimes tourists volunteer with the alliance. 鈥淚t can be a little challenging for me because I always want to pick sites that a multitude of people with varying skills can work at.
鈥淵ou want to make everyone feel that they can contribute. It sounds like a lot of hard work, but we really try to have fun with it.鈥�
For more information on how to get involved visit the Jasper Trail Alliance Facebook page.
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
