December 03, 2007
Monday AM

OK, that's it! As I sit here biting my tongue, I can't help but feel the need to teach Mr. Moen about the trail system in Ketchikan. I don't know how long you have been in town, but I can think of at least TEN (10) different trails strictly for hikers. There are very few places for the snowmachiners and 4-wheelers to ride. It seems in Alaska when there is dispute over an area segregation is the option that is persued.

NO, I WILL NOT GIVE UP ANY MORE RIDING AREA! I don't like the 4-Wheelers passing me on the Brown Mountain road when I'm hiking. But if I don't want to be bothered by a 4-wheeler or Snowmachiner I would hike Perseverence, Lunch Creek, Ward Lake, The Salvage Trail, O'Connell Lake, Carlana Lake, Sylvis Lake or Deer Mountain among others. Heck you can rent a skiff, go to the Naha! There are miles of amazing hiking. ALL PROTECTED BY THE FOREST SERVICE.

There are plenty of places to hike on this island with a huge amount of variety on each trail. However, there aren't many places to ride, and rightfully so 4-Wheelers and Snowmachiners are passionate about greenie newbies to town from up north talking about "solutions." Segregation is an idiotic "solution."

In the Turnigan Pass on the Kenai Peninsula, they segregated the right side of the road to snowmachiners, and the left side of the road for skiiers and snowshoers. This effectively closed half the area of the pass to one group or the other. I don't know about you, but I like seeing diffrent views and different things while enjoying the outdoors. I like variety hence the reason I hike, ski and snowmachine in the winter. Luckily for the residents up there, the Turnigan Pass has a huge amount of area to enjoy. Perhaps Ketchikan has 5% of the same type of area on the island.

So please Mr. Moen, stop trying to initiate controversy or "conversation" as you call it. We have enough of this type of "discussion" on our little island. If you don't like the noise pollution or seeing a 4-Wheeler or Snowmachine on one out of ten trails in Ketchikan get over it! Take a hike, just not one of the three places for us to ride.

If you need any advice on places to hike Mr. Moen please feel free to email me at any time.

Jos Gus Govaars
josgovaars(AT)yahoo.com
Ketchikan, AK

About: "Alaskan Grown Business Owner, Snowmachiner, Skier, Hiker and Fly-Fisherman."

Received November 30, 2007 - Published December 03, 2007

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