Banadad Trail Association members and volunteers were out in force clearing the Banadad Ski Trail this past weekend. Twenty-five volunteers worked 250 hours clearing over 13 miles of trails, including the seven miles within the US Forest Service’s Mead and Dawkin prescribed burn areas. Trail clearing work was coordinated with the Forest Service.
Volunteers report only one 2,000-foot section along the trail suffered any major fire damage. On the remainder of the trail, only a few small scattered spot burns were found. The trail for the most part is in excellent shape.
However, one crew reported that alongside the trail a large area of old growth cedar just north of the 2,000- foot burned-over area was destroyed by the fire.
In addition to the Banadad Trail Association members, work crews included several local residents, business members, and members of the Twin Cities North Star Ski Touring Club, who have helped maintain the trail for many years. Joining the volunteers on Saturday were two Forest Service crews charged with the responsibility of removing the downed trees across the trail within the burn areas. Ten miles of the Banadad, the onemile Tall Pines Trail and most of the three-mile Lace Lake Trail were cleared and pronounced ready for skiing.
After trail cleanup, the Banadad Trail Association gathered for its annual meeting. (L-R, front) Kate Kelnburger, Karla Miller, Karen Monsen, Linda Bosma, Chris Matter, Anne Rykken. (L-R, back) Trail Administrator Ted Young, Andrew Jenks, Wayne Monsen, Tom Rice and Peter Spink. (Not pictured are board members John and Barbara Bottger.) Top: A look at the 2,000-foot section of trail in the Meads Lake prescribed burn.
The Banadad Trail Association’s second annual meeting was held at Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B in conjunction with the trail clearing. Officers elected at the annual meeting were Linda Bosma, Minneapolis, president; Andrew Jenks, Stillwater, vice president; Kate Kelnburger, West Bearskin Lake, treasurer; and Barbara Bottger, Hungry Jack Lake, secretary. Rounding out this year’s board as at-large members are John Bottger, Hungry Jack Lake; Wayne Monsen, Stillwater; Chris Matter, Hudson, Wis.; Peter Spink, Poplar Lake; Tom Rice, Minneapolis; Anne Rykken, St. Paul; and Karla Miller, Duluth. Association members thanked Karen Monsen, the association’s first president, for leading the organization through its initial two years.
Also, as part of the annual meeting’s program the association’s web manager, Tom Rice, treated those present to a slide show on the weekend’s trail clearing. Ending the meeting was an outrageously hilarious skit entitled “The Loony Divas” staged by two members of the association. Following the meeting a potluck dinner was held.
The Banadad Trail Association formed two years ago to preserve, maintain, and protect the Banadad Ski Trail, the longest tracked ski trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Bosma said, “I look forward to working with all our neighbors and partners in the coming year to implement the Banadad’s trail plan, increase our membership, and continue the work of the association. We are very grateful to all the volunteers who worked on the trail this weekend. The Banadad is in great shape! We are ready for the snow and this year’s ski season.”
For more information about the Banadad Trail Association and the trail go to www.banadad.org.
Leave a Reply