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HAMMITT Bob <br /> From: ETTER John F <br /> To: MORGAN Dick A; RHAY Tim W; HAMMITT Bob <br /> Cc: CARY HOBBS Jesse A; WEBER John J; MEDLIN Johnny R <br /> Subject: Spencer Butte REI trail work <br /> Date: Tuesday, June 10, 1997 10:30AM <br /> Since I've fielded a couple complaints about the work party on Saturday I thought I would share the main <br /> complaint, and give you a general report. First the overview. <br /> REI registered over 100 volunteers. There were 6 or 7 main crews. Because of a bus schedule, many <br /> who came by that means only worked about 2 1/2 hours (until noon). One crew was still out when I left <br /> at 3:00 p.m. People seemed to enjoy the project and came away feeling as if they had made a good <br /> contribution. There was talk of doing it again next year, or maybe finding some energy to do more sooner. <br /> REI provided (thru donations) drinks, fruit and energy bars, as well as T shirts. They put on a good event. <br /> The work accomplished included numerous short cuts blocked, installation of signed saying where to hike <br /> or not hike, water bar installation, regrading trails, redefining trails, installing steps and trail edging, <br /> cleaning composted foliage off of graveled and rocked trail bases, hauling gravel to resurface trail tread, <br /> building new rock steps, repainting existing concrete trail markers and adding directional arrows to them. <br /> The real reason for this update is that I've already taken a couple complaints, one from an engineering staff <br /> hiker, and another from a twice-a-day climber of the butte. Maybe 15 years ago, some 4" x 4" x 24" <br /> steps were rebar pinned to a long steep short cut to accommodate habitual short cutters. When I reviewed <br /> this area with volunteer leaders (including US Forest Service and BLM staff) a couple months ago we saw <br /> that about 1/3 of the 60 - 80 steps were gone and determined that we should work to enhance the original <br /> trail and revegetate this slope, which in a sense had been formalized with steps. Numerous other short cut <br /> elimination efforts were undertaken, but this one, in particular, has drawn two strong complaints today. <br /> Both people appreciate the strenuous workout they afforded in ascending the butte. <br /> Those of us who planned the work activities have not appreciated how the butte is used for a fitness trail <br /> as opposed to just a hiking trail. Some people evidently time themselves on the ascent. We need to <br /> consider the different ways people are using this climb, as well as the quantities of user, to realistically <br /> respond to what is happening. <br /> In the past we've been criticized for not delineating the trail, which has lead to people getting lost and <br /> injured, not to mention the degradation to the native vegetation. DPS has been concerned because they go <br /> up there to get the injured. Marking the trail, and having a safe trail, preventing erosion and saving <br /> vegetation are the criteria we have used so far in making decisions. <br /> In anticipation of more volunteer efforts directed to Spencer Butte Trails, I am adjusting the Parks Planning <br /> Work Plan to allocate a few hours next winter to invite public comment on their concerns about the butte <br /> so that the tasks we undertake in the next go-round will be less controversial. (Maybe we will decide that <br /> the long steep shortcut needs to have steps again.) I've started an interested parties list with such a <br /> process in mind. There are differing opinions of how to control people, what type of users that should be <br /> accommodated, and even trail construction techniques. The extreme ends of opinion need to hear each <br /> other in order to appreciate whatever middle ground standards we come up with for trail routes and design. <br /> Any feedback you have would be welcome. --John <br /> Page 1 <br />