Trail-blazers building legacy for genera…
Leaving the blare of music, television, cell phones and the hustle and bustle of the city behind, volunteers and users of the Ozark Trail system become more attuned to nature. Whether you like a challenging hike, a bike ride, a ramble on your favorite horse or just a chance for a leisurely walk leading to what might become a favorite overlook of the majestic countryside Missouri has to offer, Ozark Trails can deliver. Greg Echele, volunteer board member for the Ozark Trails Association, was there at the beginning in the fall of 2002, when the founder of the system, John Roth, made his vision known. Killed last year in an accident when a tree fell on the tractor he was driving on his farm, Roth had inspired enough people and made a deep enough beginning in the root of the overall mission to take the trail from St. Louis to the Arkansas border that his legacy continues, fired by the spirit, drive and “elbow grease” of hundreds of volunteers.
Echele said Roth was a smart, ambitious man who loved nature, and when he was able to retire at the age of 38 after great success with his own information technology consulting firm, he began concentrating his efforts on the upkeep and extension of the Ozark Trail system that had begun in the 1970s. “John was hiking in Missouri and noticed there were felled trees, and some of the paths were impassible,” Echele said. “When he called the Forest Service to complain, he was told they were aware of it, but simply didn’t have the manpower or budget to clean it up.
” So, Roth made it his own personal mission, putting his labor where his mouth was. Organizing the nonprofit association, he began gathering volunteers from all walks of life, of all ages — who enjoyed nature — organizing the efforts to improve and maintain the trail system. Friendships were formed, brush was hauled off and new trails were blazed. The idea for a trail from St. Louis to Arkansas started to grow in the 1970s when the “Ozark Trail Concept” was formed as a cooperative effort of one private landowner and several governmental agencies and environmental groups. it later became the Ozark Trail Council. The council constructed about 170 miles of trail in about 10 years. along with previously existing trails, it formed a system encompassing 200 miles. But still, gaps remained, many of them on private land. And the trail was not well-known, so it was not well-used. Maintenance became an issue. The Ozark Trail Association now works with the Ozark Trail Council to develop, maintain, preserve and protect the rugged, natural beauty of the Ozark Trail. Echele said there also is a lot of interest in building spur trails off the main completed trails. Not every trail is designated for every activity. “Each landowner makes the determination as to what a particular trail is best used for,” Echele said. “Some allow horseback riding; others are for hiking and/or biking.” The U.S. Forest Service, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also make judgment calls about the best use for stretches of trail. Anyplace along the trails can become an instant tent campsite, as well, as long as it is 100 feet off the beaten path, Echele said. Echele often leads “mega-events” involving the bringing together of volunteers to build new trails, perform maintenance or clean up debris, and it all ends with a barbecue, bonfire, raffles and bluegrass music.
“It’s always a nice group of people of all ages, even kids, who enjoy the outdoors and become friends along the way,” Echele said. To begin a new trail, Echele said the first step is to bring in a person who knows how “hydrology” or the flow of the water line works, who determines the best course, grade and slope of the path. Flaggers tie ribbon every 20 feet to mark the trail, and the Forest Service comes with a bulldozer, rough-grading the future trail. Then, volunteers use hand tools to form and pack it. Sometimes, rock walls are built to prevent erosion in areas. “We make the slopes gradual, so nothing is too steep and curves aren’t too sharp for someone on a bike,” he said. Mega-events generally are held in the spring and the fall, but in the past couple of years, Echele said there have been as many as four. “We have had interest from as many as 3,000 people since 2002. Some come and go, but we now have a solid 1,000 who are active,” he said. Some events focus on building, some on maintenance, and in many cases, people adopt a section of trail that they “keep up.” “People do it for the tranquility, the spiritual aspect, for exercise and because they love nature,” Echele said. “We all enjoy everyone’s company. There are men, women and probably one-third are children. All of the events are family-focused.” Ryan Hanlon, volunteer, trail-builder and director of the new documentary video about the Ozark Trail Association, said even though the trail is in Missouri, there is a large group of volunteers from Alton and Edwardsville. He worked with Alton-based Gebbs Total Video to produce the film about the trail. It’s close enough for a nice weekend outing just two hours from Alton, Hanlon said, and the people he has met and the friends he has made are numerous. “I moved back to the Midwest a few years ago, and as a real nature lover, I wasn’t sure what I would find to do for recreation,” Hanlon said. “The Ozark Trail blew me away. it is fun, and working on it gives everyone a real sense of accomplishment.” For more information about the trails and upcoming events or to volunteer, or to make a donation to the trail organization, visit the Ozark Trail Association website at www.ozarktrail.com or call the office in Potosi, Mo. at (573) 436-0540 or Echele at (314) 651-4232. vbennington@sbcglobal.net Upcoming Ozark Trail system events and volunteer opportunities Taum Sauk/Ozark Trail Maintenance Outing 5 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 — Haul cut limbs from the trail, lop overhanging branches or nail signs, and there is a need for certified sawyers. Camping will be free at Taum Sauk State Park for Friday and Saturday nights, and there will be a free barbecue dinner provided for the Saturday evening meal. MEGA Fun on the Berryman Trail Re-route 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 — one of the largest events of the fall construction season. Free camping Friday and Saturday night at Bass Resort, complimentary lunch on the trail and evening barbecue, bonfire, live bluegrass music and raffles. Maintenance on the Middle Fork 8:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 Inaugural OTA Boots, Bikes, Bridles and Bluegrass Family Festival 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 — Recreation. Celebrate seven years of trail building and maintenance work. a weekend party, OTA’s first family recreation event at Bass River Resort from Friday, Oct. 15 through Sunday, Oct. 17. Rent a log or cozy cabin or tent camp for free Friday and/or Saturday night. Trail-blazers building legacy for generations to come