SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST HIDDEN SPRINGS RANGER DISTRICT

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2. SHAWNEE NATIONAL FORESTHIDDEN SPRINGS RANGER DISTRICT TRAIL DESIGNATION PROJECT PHASE 1 FISCAL YEAR 2006

3. PHASE 1 - FISCAL YEAR 2006 PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS DESIGNATED WILDERNESS AREAS (hand crews and pack stock) • Constructed 4 miles of new full-bench trail re-routes. • Hauled 240 tons of gravel by pack stock to harden over 5 miles of existing trail tread. • Relocated and reconstructed a creek crossing. • Converted an equestrian tie-up area to ride-through-only trail status. • Constructed a new equestrian tie-up area. • Brushed in nearly 4 miles of old, non-designated trail. • Installed 50 new directional signs. NON-WILDERNESS AREAS (mechanized equipment) • Reconstructed nearly three miles of existing trail. • Constructed two miles of new trail. • Installed 173 new directional signs in project area. • Over 350 hours of volunteer time donated to trail reconstruction.

4. PHASE 1 - FISCAL YEAR 2006 PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS TRAIL MAINTENANCE • Trail maintenance was conducted on 20 miles of trail to clear blow downs, install erosion control features, and reinforce stream banks. TRAIL MONITORING • Trail monitoring was conducted on approximately 60 miles of trail in designated wilderness and non-wilderness areas. • A comprehensive Trail Monitoring Report was completed.

5. WILDERNESS TRAIL WORK Implementation of the Trail Designation Project began with the construction of a re-route and switchback in the Lusk Creek Wilderness. Before – eroded non-designated section of trail falling straight down the canyon. After – new re-route following the natural contour and proper grade.

6. WILDERNESS TRAIL WORK The trail crew focused on constructing re-routes to improve trail and resource conditions in the Lusk Creek Wilderness. Before – non-designated section of trail along Lusk Creek. After – properly located re-route well above the creek.

7. WILDERNESS TRAIL CREW In accordance with wilderness policy, the trail crew used only primitive tools and traditional methods to construct the 4 miles of trail re-routes. Crew members moved over 330 tons of gravel and sandstone using only pack animals and hand tools.

8. WILDERNESS TRAIL WORK Work on the re-routes included the installation of unique trail features such as a switchback with French drain, a stone stair case descending hundreds of feet into a canyon, and several hundred linear feet of cribbed retaining walls and turnpikes. Stone steps located at Secret Canyon. Switchback with French drain.

9. WILDERNESS TRAIL WORK This cribbed retaining wall, built with native sandstone, was one of numerous trail features constructed in order to implement sustainable trails on steep side slopes. Before - section of trail before cribbed retaining wall. After – same section of trail with cribbed retaining wall.

10. WILDERNESS TRAIL WORK The Blanchard Church Creek Crossing, a major trail feature, was relocated and constructed to mitigate resource damage and provide improved recreation opportunities. Before– Old crossing at Lusk Creek was deeply eroded, dangerous to use, and had potential to add sedimentation to Lusk Creek. After – Newly reconstructed south embankment of Blanchard Church Creek Crossing.

11. WILDERNESS TRAIL WORK Turnpikes were installed to raise the trail tread above natural wet areas. Before – section of designated trail before installation of turnpike. After – same section of trail with turnpike.

12. WILDERNESS TRAIL WORK Once a trail was re-routed, the old section was brushed and signage was placed to inform users to use the new re-route. Brush was placed in the trail and gully plugs were installed as needed to prevent further erosion. Summer – section of braided, eroded non-designated trail. Fall – same section of trail after brushing and installing gully plugs.

13. WILDERNESS TRAIL WORK Approximately four miles of old non-designated trails were brushed in. Monitoring has shown that natural processes have reduced the impact on brushed in sections of trail. Summer – Brushed section of non-designated user created trail. Fall – users are staying off the brushed trails section.

14. TRAIL SIGN PLAN A total of 223 new directional signs were installed throughout three wilderness areas and in non-wilderness.

15. NON-WILDERNESS TRAIL WORK Reconstructed nearly three miles of existing designated trail and constructed two miles of new trail. Before – Area of wet muddy trail before work was conducted. After – Same section with newly installed turnpike, built with mechanized equipment and the help of 15 volunteers from a local equestrian camp.

16. PUBLIC’S RESPOSE TO PROJECT • “You guys are to be commended for the great work you have done for the trails” - Don Cloud (local equestrian and member of the Shawnee Chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen of America). • “I really appreciate all the work the Forest Service has done” – Wally McCarthy (local hiker and instructor of Environmental Studies at John A. Logan College).

17. MEDIA COVERAGENewspaper, television, and magazine coverage - informative and positive • The Daily Register and The Vienna Times – covered implementation of project. • WSIL Channel 3 – top evening coverage of project. • Best of America by Horseback – television documentary. Stated, SNF as “a must visit for trail riders everywhere”. • BACKPACKER Magazine – readers voted trails in Garden of the Gods as Illinois’ best day hike in February 2007 issue.

18. WILDERNESS TRAIL WORKFall – Fiscal Year 2007 The fall trail crew continues to construct re-routes in the Lusk Creek Wilderness. Fall trail crew installing a turnpike on a new re-route.

19. WILDERNESS TRAIL WORKFiscal Year 2007 New re-routes will continue to replace non-designated trail sections. Nearly 5 miles of poorly located non-designated trail will be brushed in once re-routes are complete. This one mile section of old, eroded non-designated trail section is scheduled to be brushed in. This quarter mile of new re-route will connect two existing trails and eliminate the need for trail on the left.

20. FISCAL YEAR 2007 UNDER CURRENT FUNDING: DESIGNATED WILDERNESS AREAS (hand crews and pack stock) • Construct 3 miles of new full-bench trail re-routes. • Use stock team to plow and grade ~ two of the three miles of new re-routes. • Use pack stock team to haul gravel for hardening ~ three miles of designated trail. • Construct two new creek crossings. • Brush in ~ 5 miles of old, non-designated trail. • Install new directional signs. NON-WILDERNESS AREAS (mechanized equipment) • Reconstruct and construct a total of 8 miles of trail. • Install new directional signs in project area.

21. FISCAL YEAR 2007 UNDER CURRENT FUNDING: TRAIL MAINTENANCE (designated and non-wilderness areas) • Conduct maintenance on 20 miles of existing designated trail. TRAIL MONITORING (designated and non-wilderness areas) • Conduct trail monitoring activities on ~ 80 – 100 miles of trail. • Submit comprehensive Trail Monitoring Report to the Forest Supervisor.