Proposal for Kelso Mountain Trail reopening
DRAFT April 1, 2001
By Martin Kubik
The USFS Forest Service has asked the Kekekabic Trail Club to submit a official proposal for reopening the Kelso Mountain Trail. Based on that request I am presenting a proposal for a motion by the KTC members to approve a request to the USFS to reopen the trail. This proposal accomplishes the following:
1)
Get hikers a trail
Get hikers a trail2)Promote amicable relationship with the USFS
Promote amicable relationship with the USFS3)Unite and strengthen the KTC
Unite and strengthen the KTCBackground
Kelso Mountain Trail is accessible by canoe from Sawbill Lake landing. The water trails route is about five miles long and leads through Kelso River, abundant with wetland plants and flowers. The trailhead to the Kelso Mountain Trail is in vicinity of a dolmen (large boulder sitting on three smaller rocks). The trail is 1.25 miles long and terminates on top of Kelso Mountain, former site of USFS fire lookout tower.
Why should the trail be reopened?
1.The Kelso Mountain Trail has been designated a Millennium Community Trail by the White House Millennium Council “In recognition of efforts to bring the community together to “Honor the Past – Imagine the Future” signed by then first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. As such Kelso Mountain Trail connects people to their land, their history, and their culture.
The Kelso Mountain Trail has been designated a Millennium Community Trail by the White House Millennium Council “In recognition of efforts to bring the community together to “Honor the Past – Imagine the Future” signed by then first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. As such Kelso Mountain Trail connects people to their land, their history, and their culture.2.KMT is a unique trail that can be accessed only by a canoe. The route combines canoe and hiking modes of travel in a one day trip, with a point of interest. Kelso Mountain is one of the highest peaks in BWCA, rising 2100 feet above sea level.
KMT is a unique trail that can be accessed only by a canoe. The route combines canoe and hiking modes of travel in a one day trip, with a point of interest. Kelso Mountain is one of the highest peaks in BWCA, rising 2100 feet above sea level.3.USFS and KTC have rich tradition of preserving and maintaining historic trails leading to fire lookout sites:
USFS and KTC have rich tradition of preserving and maintaining historic trails leading to fire lookout sites:·Kekekabic (two fire trails)
Kekekabic (two fire trails)·Sioux Hustler
Sioux Hustler·Lima Mountain
Lima Mountain·Brule Lake Trail
Brule Lake Trail4.Kelso Mountain Trail has been mapped on USGS, Fisher and McKenzie maps
Kelso Mountain Trail has been mapped on USGS, Fisher and McKenzie maps5.As a trail, it has been mapped with USFS provided equipment in May 1999 (by Derrick Passe, Neal Chapman and Martin Kubik and others)
As a trail, it has been mapped with USFS provided equipment in May 1999 (by Derrick Passe, Neal Chapman and Martin Kubik and others)6.KMT is used by BWCA visitors as well by local residents.
KMT is used by BWCA visitors as well by local residents.7.Four Kekekabic Trail Club presidents () participated in trail clearing of the KMT. The trail exists thanks to these efforts.
Four Kekekabic Trail Club presidents () participated in trail clearing of the KMT. The trail exists thanks to these efforts.8.White House Executive Order 13351 of January 18, 2001 “America’s Trails for 21st Century” directs the Forest Service to work with citizen groups to preserve historic hiking trails.
White House Executive Order 13351 of January 18, 2001 “America’s Trails for 21st Century” directs the Forest Service to work with citizen groups to preserve historic hiking trails.Coming up:Facts and Fiction, July 2004
