|  | Let the Field Season Begin! Our field season is officially underway! Today, our 2022 field crews met at our new shop to kick off the season. All crew members will spend the next week completing a NOLS Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification before hopping into trail work. A huge welcome to our new crew members Mary, Cael, and Toni. Welcome back Julio, Jesse, Laib, Hunter, Sam, Ambrose, Sarah, Garrett, Liam, Sage, and Dane. |
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 | 2022 Field Season Can you believe our summer field season has begun? While it may be hard to believe that it's already that time again, our administrative crew has been hard at work all winter preparing for an ambitious field season. Check out all that we accomplished in 2021 and what's in store for 2022 by reading the report below! |
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| The Dirt from the Director Hi, there, Boy Howdy, is the weather this week getting me excited for our trail season. Even though it’s been a little cold, starting to see skunk cabbage pop up and snow fade away always gets me excited for the trail season; and this year there is a lot to be excited about, our most experienced field crew ever, new programs and volunteer opportunities, and new community connections and partnerships.
It won’t be long before you start to hear the dulcet tones of pulaski’s hitting dirt and the melodious voices of trail crew members on the trails. Did you know that more than 85% of our seasonal staff has returned from prior seasons? We attribute much of this to paying a living wage, providing training and certifications whenever possible, and creating a ‘worker-first’ environment at Trail Mix. None of these efforts would be possible without your support. Your contributions and donations to Trail Mix directly support Trail Mix investing in Juneau’s workforce and making Trail Mix a great place to work- thank you.
I’m also so excited to see volunteerism coming back to Trail Mix in a big way! These last few years have drastically changed the way we’ve approached open call volunteer opportunities and have paved the way for the Trail Stewards program! The Trail Stewards program is a great way for a group of folks to support Trail Mix by ‘adopting’ a trail to maintain over the course of the summer. Check out our website to learn more about this exciting volunteer opportunity.
Another lasting impact of the ongoing pandemic is the increased emphasis on community connection. While we are fortunate to have partners in our members, local agencies, and organizations, we are so excited to explore connections and partnerships with other organizations like Sealaska Heritage Institute, Sitka Trail Works, and CCTHIA’s Alaska Youth Stewards programs. Stay tuned for more details on these projects!
Enjoy the sunshine and see you on the trails!
Ryan |
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|  | Trail of the Month Salmon Creek Dam • Til'héeni Distance: 7 miles out and back Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet Trail Description: The Salmon Creek Dam trail begins at the base of a large hill. The first half of the trail is a wide gravel and dirt road that begins with a long climb and then evens out. Hikers will split off the road to head up a classic Southeast Alaska trail. Off of the road, the trail becomes more rooty and rocky. The last mile of trail includes significant elevation gain. Many sections of elevation include stairs. Why we love it: This trail is an incredibly enjoyable challenge! When I hike the trail, I love to bike the road portion and then hike the final mile up to the dam. At the dam, there is a lovely little bench to rest on and enjoy the view from. The reflection of the mountains in the calm reservoir makes for a very peaceful rest. If you'd like more information on the trail and its history, click here. |
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 | Upcoming Community Events Click underlined links for more information |
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|  | Thank you for your support! We're so excited to kick off our season! With your help, we can continue our work to make Juneau's trails the best in the world. If you can, please find a way to support Trail Mix this season. You can become a member, volunteer, and follow us on social media. With your support, we can have another groundbreaking season this year! Help us maintain Juneau's world-class trail system. Click the button below to support Trail Mix, all while scoring deals at Foggy Mountain, NAO, and Cycle Alaska. |
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 | On the Juneau Icefield, Women Reimagine Who Does Science Are you familiar with JIRP? The Juneau Icefield Research Program's mission is to "provide an unrivaled educational and expeditionary experience in the stunning Coast Mountains of Alaska and British Columbia." Similar to our field season, JIRP heads into the field in early spring. However, instead of digging up dirt and making trails like us, JIRP'ers conduct scientific research on glaciers. JIRP researchers traverse and live on the glacier throughout the entire season. Read this article on how JIRP is striving for an inclusive future, where all identities are welcome and included in glacier research. |
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| Trail Mix, Inc.
(907) 209-5069 | info@trailmixinc.org 5723 Concrete Way, Juneau, AK, 99801 |
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