In This Issue
Text of this issue
Iditarod HistoricTrail Alliance December 2017 The Tripod PO Box 2323 Seward AK 99664 IditarodHTA@gmail.com http://www.Iditarod100.org The Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. The Trail for all Seasons The Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance promotes public awareness of the Iditarod Trail and its gold rush and AlaskaNative heritage by encouraging education programs and historical research, assisting in the protection, improvement, maintenance and marking of the trail and developing partnerships that foster stewardship commitments and support. Thank you for renewing your IHTA membership. A strong membership is necessary for us to achieve our goals. Also a membership makes a great gift.
Annual meeting, November 29-30 The following board members were elected: Seat I-Norton Sound: Stephanie Masters Johnson Seat J at large # 4: Jonathan Sewall Seat K: at large #5: Annie Bill Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance officers for 2018 were elected: left to right: Judy Bitter, President, Erin McLarnon, Treasurer, Jonathan Sewall, Vice President, Lesli Schick, Secretary. June Turtle, from the ChugachNational Forest gave a report on the , Forest Service's plan to construct a multimodal recreational path along the Seward Highway between Ingram Creek and an area north of Twentymile River. The project called the Iditarod National Historic Trail-Portage Curve Multimodal Connector, will be completed in coordination with theAlaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Seward Highway Milepost 75 to 90 Rehabilitation Project.
In addition to constructing a critical piece of the Iditarod National Historic Trail, the proposed project will provide a safe multimodal path separate from the highway to connect users to recreational opportunities alone a heavily used segment of the Seward Highway. Final design for the "Curve" is scheduled for 2019 and construction for 2020-21. 1 Iditarod HistoricTrail Alliance Retiring Alliance board member Leo Rasmussen was presented with a plaque by Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance President Judy December 2017 The 2018 Statewide Trails Conference The annual Alaska Trails Statewide Trails Conference, will be held April 26-28 in Anchorage. See more at: https://www.facebook.com/ events/358363531293740/ Alaska Trails would like input on topics and speakers that you would like to see at the conference, e-mail them at office@alaska- trails.org to share your ideas for the 2018 conference.
Looking ahead Bitter, honoring him for his many years of service to the Alliance and the Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race. Leo was the finish line checker in the first Iditarod Sled Dog Race in 1973; he served on the Race Committee board for years and was board president from 1988-91. He served on the board of directors of the Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance since its founding in 1999 and was the first president of the Alliance. A long time resident of Nome, he has now moved to Fairbanks. Some items from agency reports: Joe Hall. Alaska State Parks, reported on work to improve Crow Pass Trail between Girdwood and Eagle River and what still needs to be done. Kevin Keeler, Bureau of Land Management, Administrator of the Iditarod Trail, reported on brush clearing around Flat to protect it from forest fires, and working on a plan to protect artifacts in Flat-Iditarod area.
Karen Kromrey, Forest Service, reported trail work has been done on the Winner Creek Trail, damage done to the Bear Lake segment of trail by a land slide has been repaired and the Forest Service now has trail maps on line. Plans are to have iTREC! alumni workshops next year instead of a new class of teachers. ♦2018 Hike the Hill - February 11-14, go to https.//american hiking.org/advocacy/hike-the-hill for more information ♦National Trails Day® - June 2, 2018, go to nationaltrailsday.americanhiking.org for more information. New book "The Ultimate Hiker's Guide (Second Edition) and Techniques to Hit the Trail by Andrew Skurka has just been published by National Geographic, with photos and sample gear checklists, paperback $19.95 From the past "Iditarod Pioneer" This advertisement appeared in several December 1917 issues. 2