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Border Route Condition Report
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Ed Solstad
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Oct 21, 2009 10:58 PDT
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Hello to all of you interested in NE Minnesota hiking trails,
We've just finished a successful 2009 season of getting the
non-wilderness sections of the Border Route whipped back into good
hiking/backpacking condition. Keep in mind that the BRT is not your Twin
City Metro area regional park nor was it ever meant to be. The sections
outside of the Wilderness were designed with back-country X/C skiing in
mind and our goal is to get and keep them sufficiently clear of brush
and deadfalls so that remains possible. While the brushing still isn't
always up to skiing standards, these portions of the BRT are certainly
now up to semi-wilderness hiking standards. Take this advantage of this
window of opportunity to get out there and enjoy it before the winds of
winter knock over more trees.
We've also made progress on the maintenance backlog on the Wilderness
sections where the use of hand tools is mandated. The Wilderness
sections of the BRT are still for the experienced hiker looking for a
challenge. In exchange for your efforts, you'll enjoy some of the best
scenics in the Midwest.
We wish to thank all of the volunteers that helped to make these
maintenance efforts possible. Without their support and dedication,
there wouldn't be a trail.
We also wish to thank those that have sent in feedback over the past
season. It has helped us to focus on the areas that are most in need of
attention and, perhaps more importantly your feedback has also prodded
us towards doing a better job of getting our act together. There will
always be room for improvement but we're getting a whole lot better.
Keep that feedback coming and better yet, especially those of you that
live along the North Shore, consider signing onto the newly created
Border Route Trail Meetup Group. (Google "Border Route Trail Meetup")
Our priorities for 2010 include broadening our base of support,
especially among enthusiasts living in NE Minnesota, getting caught up
with the maintenance on the Wilderness sections, and making continued
improvements to the sections of trail outside of the Wilderness.
We'll be doing reconnaissance and dead-fall sweeps as soon as the snow
leaves in late April or early May so if you can't make it out there
during the remaining days of this fall consider a spring recon trip
either by joining one of the trips organized through the BRTA or
consider doing one on your own in coordination with the BRTA.
We thank all of you for your interest in the BRT and its adjoining trails.
Ciao,
Ed Solstad
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