Order of the Arrow Scouts and Minnesota Conservation Corps members working on the single-track mountain bike trail at Pincushion Mountain. Scouts cleared nearly two miles of trail.
A collaboration between the U.S. Forest Service, the Minnesota Conservation Corps (MCC) and the Boy Scout Order of the Arrow June 18 – 26 went very well, despite a smaller number of Scouts taking part than anticipated. The Forest Service originally thought over 500 Scouts would be taking part in a Scouting event, “ArrowPower 2011,” but the final numbers were just under 200. According to Assistant Gunflint District Ranger Steve Schug, “It was probably a blessing in disguise because of weather conditions,” he said.
Rainy weather was not conducive to trail building, the primary reason the Scouts were here. But the 200 workers (the Scouts and adult leaders accompanying them) were able to stay busy. They were able to do a bit of trail work—Scouts and MCC crewmembers completed a mile of single-track bike trail at Pincushion Mountains and just short of a mile on the Sugarbush mountain bike system in Tofte. Before setting out to blaze trail, the Scouts underwent training with the International Mountain Bike Association on sustainable trail building.
Scouts also completed what Schug said was a “major renovation” of the Superior Hiking Trail above Cascade River State Park and did work on the trail near Carlton Peak.
The rainy weather drove the workers inside, which was a benefit for School District 166, headquarters for ArrowPower 2011. The Order of the Arrow spent 209 hours cleaning lockers, dismantling school computer desks, removing carpet, and cleaning up the playground.
One evening was spent in a special Scout Expo. Local businesspeople, Forest Service personnel, volunteer fire fighters and others talked to the Scouts about career opportunities.
All in all, although smaller than expected, ArrowPower 2011 was a success for all involved.
Forest Trail Work
Summary
10,560 feet of bike trail
constructed
393 feet of turnpike
constructed
116 water bars installed
47 steps installed
86 feet of bridge
constructed
725 feet of trail closed
1,670 feet of boardwalk
constructed
3,056 total service hours
Leave a Reply