By Mila Besich-Lira

Just after the Thanksgiving holiday eight Americorps volunteers began work on the desert gateway segment of the Legends of Superior Trail. The crew worked for two weeks and were able to build a retaining wall to protect the trail that crosses a nearby ravine. The cost for the two weeks of work was $12,400.

The work was paid for by a Secure Rural Schools grant which the Tonto National Forest applied for. The grant was competitive and it was the first time that the LOST received federal grant dollars for work on the trail.

The Tonto National Forest Globe district office then contracted with Southwest Conservation Corps to complete the work.

In addition to building the retaining wall the crews worked on brushing and general maintenance and clean up of the trail.

“We have removed a truck full of trash everyday that the crews have been out there,” explained Pablo Burghard the project manager from Tonto National Forest. The crews were also treated to delicious home made dinners and baked goods by Bill and Nancy Vogler who are the trail stewards for the LOST.

The LOST is a comprehensive trail system that will eventually include other spur trails to the Pinal Cemetery and other local points of interest. Currently the LOST has two segments completed the Desert Gateway and the Queen Creek Canyon segments. The goal of the trail is to connect the Arizona Trail to Superior and provide new hiking areas for both residents and visitors to Superior.

For more information on the LOST, you can like the LOST on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/SRP7xJ

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