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     TRAILS :: HISTORY :: Russian Jack

 

Trail HIstory -  Russian Jack Springs Park

Early Ski Trails and Trail Development
at Russian Jack Springs Park



1961-1963

Some of the first skiing in Anchorage was done from Sewell Faulkner's front yard and an area near the railroad tracks in Turnagain and on the Atwood Family Golf Course.  The Moose Run Golf Course was used for bigger races including the Fur Rondy Race.

1961-1962

The first trails at Russian Jack Springs were developed.  5kms of trails were cut from East High School throughout the park lands.  These trails predated the present golf course.  Other facilities at the park at the time were the Prison Farm, Potato fields, detox center, and animal shelter.  Some of the people involved in this trail effort were Joe Kalla, John Ireton, Sven Johanson, Hans Aune, Lowell Thomas, Lonnie Chestnut, Lou Strutz, and Dick Mize.

1963-1964

Three or four lights and poles were installed at Russian Jack along one side of the potato patch. These were recycled city street lights and Lou Strutz and Sven Johanson secured and installed the lights.

1965

The Lions Camper Park was established at Russian Jack and trails there allowed for skiing in the winter.  The location was where the picnic area is now.

1967

The Russian Jack Ski Jump was constructed.  Lou Strutz and Ralph Anderson were involved with this project.

1968

The first Russian Jack Chalet was built for golfers and skiers and several light poles were added to the line bringing lights up the field to the chalet.

1968

5km, 7.5km and 10km trails were constructed at Alyeska for the Junior Nationals to be held there in 1969.  These trails started in the moose meadows area and extended up Winner Creek.  The National Guard helped in the trail construction.  Ski Club volunteers involved were the Richters, the Mizes, Jim Burkholder, Jim Mahaffey, the Muchas, and Moerleins.

The Alyeska Ski Jump was also constructed for the Junior Nationals by members of the Nordic Ski Club.  Paul Crews Sr. designed the jump.

1967-71

Trails were built adjacent to Dimond High School - Marv Hathhorn was the high school ski coach,  Jim Burkholder the junior high coach and Dimond Parents helped construct the trails.  These trails were later lost to subdivision development.

1970 - 71

Trails in the Point Woronzof area were laid out and constructed.  Alex Sisson and many volunteers from the club completed  this project.  Most of these trails were lost to the North-South Runway development.

1974-1979

At Russian Jack bike trails were constructed through the park and the city added some lights to the system.  In preparation for the Arctic Winter Games some trails were widened and the trails system was expanded. 

1979

The chalet at Russian Jack was burned and not rebuilt until 1983.

1980

The tunnel under Debarr Road was constructed linking North and South Russain Jack.

1982

A .75km ski trail was constructed at Wendler Junior High School.  It was located between Mallard Drive and Northern Lights Blvd and University Drive and the King Career Center.  Nordic Club members involved in this effort were Nat Goodhue, John Olnes, Jim Mahaffey, Ron Veltkamp, and Brad Tuck.  The trail was groomed by Jim Mahaffey.

1983

Crossover Trail - In Chugach State Park from the Middle Fork of Campbell Creek Trail to Wolverine/Near Point Trails.  Design by Nat Goodhue.  Clearing by Jon Elliott and Dick Mize.  This was supposed to be the upper section of a 15km loop accessible from the Spencer Loop.

1984-1985

Nat Goodhue laid out 2.5km of ski trail in North Russian Jack and other trail connections from East High were completed.  Parents from the East High and Wendler area as well as skiers participated in this project.   Those involved were John Olnes, Don Sparrow, Ron Veltkamp, Brad Tuck, Jim Mahaffey, Mike Pollock, Fred West, Andy West, Joe Pollock, Matt Olnes, Brent Veltkamp, Howie Sparrow, Jake Goodhue, John Mahaffey.  Part of the trail was later widened and paved as part of a MOA project.

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NSAA 203 W. 15th Ave. #204, Anchorage Alaska 99501, 907-276-7609, Fax 258-7609, nsaa@alaska.net

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