KarunaNews Story

Wide-sweeping federal cuts to the U.S. Forest Service have caused many hiking trails to go untouched. Without federally paid seasonal trail workers, the burden is largely placed on volunteer hiking groups. “People have come out here since the 1800s,” said Chic Burge, photographer and historian for the Spokane Mountaineers. “To lose that part of our life just infuriates me.” The Spokane Mountaineers is just one group cleaning up and building trails all over the Inland Northwest. The members are picking up trash, digging trenches to reroute water and cutting fallen trees. Lynn Smith, a 76 -year-old retired science teacher, led the hike and said he’s frustrated by President Donald Trump’s cuts to forestry. Despite their frustrations, the Mountaineers decided to do what they knew would make a difference: trail work. Walking up the trail, it didn’t take long to see the impact the mountaineers had made. A small, calm stream trickled through a trench dug out by Burge. He explained that without a proper route to direct the water, it can flow in unexpected directions making the trail harder to cross and slowly eroding it. Burge also adopted the Stevens Lake trail as well as others nearby to help with the upkeep. “When I adopted it I knew it would be a lifelong thing till I couldn’t get to the trail anymore,” Burge said. “I just want to keep it open so people can come up and see the beauty.”