Volunteers come out to create new trails on Rathdrum Mountain

Volunteers come out to create new trails

RATHDRUM — As Andy Nicholson dug the hoe into the ground, it clunked. Something solid was beneath the dirt.

“There’s a rock or something right here,” he said.

The member of Rathdrum Cub Scout Pack 216 didn’t give up. He kept at it and a few minutes later, another section of the trail next to a stream was cleared of debris.

“It’s a little tiring,” he said, as he stopped digging on a cool Saturday morning. “I’ve taken like three breathers already,” then added with a smile, “I haven’t even had a drink.”

A man who went by Gunnie, one of the project leaders, nodded in approval.

“I’ll be honest with you. Where you guys are right now is some of the toughest work because of those skeeters,” he said.

About seven members of Pack 216 were among some 60 volunteers who showed up to clear the way for new trails on Rathdrum Mountain.

With towering cedars all around and birds chirping, kids, teens and seniors turned out to rake, lift, and push, whatever it took, to remove roots, rocks, brush and branches on a few miles of trails.

“We’re making a lot more progress than I thought would be possible,” said John Bowman, trail consultant,

Eric Singer, Rathdrum parks and recreation director, said the volunteers were creating trails that will be used for hiking and biking. No motorized vehicles will be allowed.

Called StormKing Trail, phase one will total about 13 miles. The three-phase project, which will include more technical trails later, is expected to take about five years to finish.

The city owns about 550 acres on Rathdrum Mountain, and it is where the city used to get its water, Singer said. But after getting wells, the city considered other uses for the land. Officials decided to develop it into a public trail system and last August was the grand opening.

“It’s gorgeous out here,” he said.

Saturday was the first big volunteer turnout to open more trails. Singer was pleased with the number of people who showed up to work — and afterward, were treated to lunch.

“This is great,” he said. “So many people are interested. They want to get involved and help. They just want to be able to use it.”

Mady Marsh and Isabella Frasche, with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, drove from the Silver Valley to pitch in.

“We love serving,” Marsh said. “When we saw there was a service opportunity, us and a couple other missionaries from our church decided to come and help out.”

Gunnie handed them rakes and an hour later, they were still at it, alongside the Scouts. Their job was to prep the ground floor by removing forest debris for others to follow and groom the trail into a smooth walking path.

One volunteer grinned when Gunnie yelled hello.

“Look at that smile,” he said, smiling himself. “Now that should be in the paper, right there.”

“They’re doing wonderful work,” he added.

On another trail section about a half-mile up an old logging road, members of the Youth Pathfinder Academy with the Idaho Army National Guard were building a bridge across Spring Branch Creek.

Leader Preston Lea said the youth learn about land navigation and other survival skills, as well as focusing on community projects.

“We’re kind of like the Scouts, but we have a more military twist on things,” he said.

Pete Gallus, an adult leader with the Cub Scouts, said they volunteered because it was a great opportunity to do something for their community.

Five years from now, he said the Scouts will remember participating in the project and when they’re adults, they can look back and say, “I was a Scout. I did this.”

“It’s good for them to do something more than for themselves,” Gallus said.

Laura Hobbs and Kristine Marin worked side by side, raking steady and strong in a secluded, forested area, not far from the bridge construction.

The result of their work was a picturesque path that disappeared around a turn into the trees.

It was quiet, peaceful and close to perfect.

“We love it here,” Marin said.

Both live in the Rathdrum area and enjoy the outdoors. They’ve done some hiking on Rathdrum Mountain, so they wanted to be part of the effort to make — and discover — new trails.

“Couldn’t be more beautiful,” Hobbs said.