this pathway has existed here since the 60s and has been used by motorized vehicles the whole time. my family has lived in the butte before burkharts saw mill was active. i don't believe atvs are causing accidents on the highway. i dont see how pulling off the edge of the road and walking across traffic is safer, and as for the dust, you live in the butte where silt is blown around on a daily basis. there are days you can see the dust from matanuska bridge and thats not caused by atvs
benmeganlove: Did you mean Barnhardt's sawmill? Mr. Barnhardt was the gentleman who donated the land for the fire station. Their house was/is on the corner of Old Glenn and Plumley. On the other hand, Mr. and Mrs. Burkhardt were the people that started "The Store."
We rode a street legal Honda 90 in the sixties on the road. There was no trail, except a sorta single lane in some places. I used to ride a horse in the 70s to Palmer and had to pick my way along the sides of the ditch.-continued-
I think it is getting better. I camped and went to the glacier July 4th, with a couple of virgin Jim Creekers in their 50's. They were very impressed.
They were like " where's all the crazy people, where's all the burned cars we've heard about. This place is beautiful."
Just the small police pressence has helped. My 17 year old daughter(sigh), who's a good kid but likes to camp/party a bit with friends, won't go out there. She scared they'll be busted, she's heard the cops go out there now.
I'm glad it's getting better. Our group (BARCO) was able to get $180,000 a year for on-the-ground law enforcement written into the legislation HB307; and, thanks to Rep. Stoltze, he listened to our request to make car burnings on state and municipal lands a Class C Felony and worked hard to get this legislation passed last year HB268. Sure looks like it works as planned: as deterrent.
Wish I had had the instincts and common sense of your daughter when I was her age --
PS to above: I need to give thankful credit to then Senator Lyda Green for having added the $180,000 a year fiscal note, per BARCO request, to allow for on-the-ground law enforcement. We had asked for $250,000 as per law enforcement officer estimate, but were very, very grateful to Sen Green, since the sponsors of the Knik River Public Use Area (KRPUA) legislation, Sen. Huggins and Rep. Stoltze, had not included any funds in the legislation for law enforcement.
I've always thought " what's the big deal?I'm riding on a washed out river bed. How much damage can I possibly be doing.
One good flood (like now), and all the trails will be washed away." Now I see that's not the area your targeting.(no pun-lol)
People need to be informed of what your group is REALLY intending. Not what the average, atv'er specuates you're intending. How about flyers with a handi-wipe, under people's winshields in the JC parking lot-lol ...be nice to come back to.-lol
Thank you for understanding where we're coming from. It warms my heart. Things are not always what they seem. It's people like you who think for themselves who are making a difference. Your idea with the handi-wipes is super. I'll pass it along to the group. Maybe there'll soon be a time for such a campaign where we wouldn't have to do a "handi-wipes-and-flyer-cleanup" the morning after? Or, find a sponsor to provide car trash bags along with the handouts - lol
ok, I'll admit it. I've been riding to the glacier for years, but i'd never researched the KRPUA until recently.
I didn't even know about the wetland areas of Swan Lake, Jim Lake. I can see why you want them protected. Never ridden there. Didn't know those trails existed.
I think most people, like me, only know about riding on the river bed to the glacier, granted with a couple trails through the woods. That's why we don't understand why people want to limit atv's
i'm a 3rd generation Alaskan. My dad was raised in Seward. My grandfather, a fisherman, died there in the 1964 quake/tidal wave. Unfortunately for me,
I missed most of "the good ol' days" . But I think I have idea of what it was like.
For instance, on July 4th, my cousin got a flat about 2 miles past Jim Creek. Some random guy, who just pulled over on his own, plugged the tire, filled it with air, and away we went!.
It's sad that your grandfather suffered an untimely death. For you to have pass along to your kids such a rich Alaskan background will make them appreciate their rich heritage.
We're newcomers to you. My family bought the place in 1964 and the rock chimney was crumbled on top from the earthquake.
Just as your cousin, over the years, we also were fortunate to have been recipients of generosity and kindness from strangers.
aknmopar, I also appreciated the conversation. Please forgive me if you detected some attitude. We put a lot of hope in the legislation that created the KRPUA that was to enhance motorized and non-motorized rec opportunities, and then they took all the non-motorized trails away. In the olden days, (pre-pipeline) we had it all: trails for everyone and respect for each other. It looks as if you are the person who can make a difference and make things right again. Thanks.
I sure haven't seen a boost in the local economy from fourwheelers patronizing local establishments, even when we had 250 machines a day going by our place for fun and whatever. We're too close to Anchorage. Wheelers bring their gas and only top it off here if they have to. We can tell by the roadside and trail trash, where most of the food and drink comes from. It's not local. If I were so inclined, I'd give a mobile concession a try between JC and the Pavilion Parking Lot.
worked out. I always like to support the local economies wherever I ride. When I snowmobile in Willow, I always fill up at Newman's Tesoro, eat lunch at Pioneer Lodge, etc. I figure it helps warm the locals to all the weekend warriors. I think it would be a big boost to Butte's economy, if the atv'ers were able to access the local vendors for gas. lunch, etc. Sure, you could stop riding, and go in a car. But that's not near as fun!-lol
aknmopar: yes, it's all about education. The signs there have been up for several years, but have consistently been torn down and vandalized by those who don't know how to read so they have no use for them. One family going down for ice cream doesn't seem to be a big deal; however,when you see some 200 rigs Saturdays and Sundays it doesn't help people's respiratory issues who own homes along the Old Glenn. Like they all say: "We're just following the tracks.."
Going for ice cream is at least more benign on people driving the Old Glenn than running back and forth on the pathway for tanking up on more than just gasoline. I also think it would be nice to have the pathway paved if nothing else to give those who have lost their drivers' license due to DUIs a safe place to ride their bikes to get to work.
Ive herd of road spikes on the trails in the area and it killed a snowmachiner you don't here anything about that.
ukelp 2 years ago
this pathway has existed here since the 60s and has been used by motorized vehicles the whole time. my family has lived in the butte before burkharts saw mill was active. i don't believe atvs are causing accidents on the highway. i dont see how pulling off the edge of the road and walking across traffic is safer, and as for the dust, you live in the butte where silt is blown around on a daily basis. there are days you can see the dust from matanuska bridge and thats not caused by atvs
benmeganlove 2 years ago
benmeganlove: Did you mean Barnhardt's sawmill? Mr. Barnhardt was the gentleman who donated the land for the fire station. Their house was/is on the corner of Old Glenn and Plumley. On the other hand, Mr. and Mrs. Burkhardt were the people that started "The Store."
We rode a street legal Honda 90 in the sixties on the road. There was no trail, except a sorta single lane in some places. I used to ride a horse in the 70s to Palmer and had to pick my way along the sides of the ditch.-continued-
kniklvr 2 years ago
If you'd like to see a history of the bike trail please google butte alaska pathway.
By the way, a lot of rough-cut lumber for various projects around the house came from Mr. Barnhardt's and Mr. Williams' sawmills.
kniklvr 2 years ago
I think it is getting better. I camped and went to the glacier July 4th, with a couple of virgin Jim Creekers in their 50's. They were very impressed.
They were like " where's all the crazy people, where's all the burned cars we've heard about. This place is beautiful."
Just the small police pressence has helped. My 17 year old daughter(sigh), who's a good kid but likes to camp/party a bit with friends, won't go out there. She scared they'll be busted, she's heard the cops go out there now.
aknmopar 2 years ago
I'm glad it's getting better. Our group (BARCO) was able to get $180,000 a year for on-the-ground law enforcement written into the legislation HB307; and, thanks to Rep. Stoltze, he listened to our request to make car burnings on state and municipal lands a Class C Felony and worked hard to get this legislation passed last year HB268. Sure looks like it works as planned: as deterrent.
Wish I had had the instincts and common sense of your daughter when I was her age --
kniklvr 2 years ago
PS to above: I need to give thankful credit to then Senator Lyda Green for having added the $180,000 a year fiscal note, per BARCO request, to allow for on-the-ground law enforcement. We had asked for $250,000 as per law enforcement officer estimate, but were very, very grateful to Sen Green, since the sponsors of the Knik River Public Use Area (KRPUA) legislation, Sen. Huggins and Rep. Stoltze, had not included any funds in the legislation for law enforcement.
kniklvr 2 years ago
I've always thought " what's the big deal?I'm riding on a washed out river bed. How much damage can I possibly be doing.
One good flood (like now), and all the trails will be washed away." Now I see that's not the area your targeting.(no pun-lol)
People need to be informed of what your group is REALLY intending. Not what the average, atv'er specuates you're intending. How about flyers with a handi-wipe, under people's winshields in the JC parking lot-lol ...be nice to come back to.-lol
aknmopar 2 years ago
Thank you for understanding where we're coming from. It warms my heart. Things are not always what they seem. It's people like you who think for themselves who are making a difference. Your idea with the handi-wipes is super. I'll pass it along to the group. Maybe there'll soon be a time for such a campaign where we wouldn't have to do a "handi-wipes-and-flyer-cleanup" the morning after? Or, find a sponsor to provide car trash bags along with the handouts - lol
kniklvr 2 years ago
ok, I'll admit it. I've been riding to the glacier for years, but i'd never researched the KRPUA until recently.
I didn't even know about the wetland areas of Swan Lake, Jim Lake. I can see why you want them protected. Never ridden there. Didn't know those trails existed.
I think most people, like me, only know about riding on the river bed to the glacier, granted with a couple trails through the woods. That's why we don't understand why people want to limit atv's
in the KRPUA. Cont'd-
aknmopar 2 years ago
i'm a 3rd generation Alaskan. My dad was raised in Seward. My grandfather, a fisherman, died there in the 1964 quake/tidal wave. Unfortunately for me,
I missed most of "the good ol' days" . But I think I have idea of what it was like.
For instance, on July 4th, my cousin got a flat about 2 miles past Jim Creek. Some random guy, who just pulled over on his own, plugged the tire, filled it with air, and away we went!.
Once you cross Jim creek, it's pretty much
good people out there!-lol
aknmopar 2 years ago
It's sad that your grandfather suffered an untimely death. For you to have pass along to your kids such a rich Alaskan background will make them appreciate their rich heritage.
We're newcomers to you. My family bought the place in 1964 and the rock chimney was crumbled on top from the earthquake.
Just as your cousin, over the years, we also were fortunate to have been recipients of generosity and kindness from strangers.
kniklvr 2 years ago
well, i can only speak for myself. I top off
my machines and buy a few snacks, at that little station there, on the corner.
Who cares if gas is 10 cents more, i'm
only getting like 10 gallons.
Of course, I live on KGB, and go to Hollywood Mart all the time. I like to support my neighbors.
Oh well, I guess all I can do, is keep a clean camp ,and scold those who trash
my state.
thanks for the friendly dialog-take care
aknmopar 2 years ago
aknmopar, I also appreciated the conversation. Please forgive me if you detected some attitude. We put a lot of hope in the legislation that created the KRPUA that was to enhance motorized and non-motorized rec opportunities, and then they took all the non-motorized trails away. In the olden days, (pre-pipeline) we had it all: trails for everyone and respect for each other. It looks as if you are the person who can make a difference and make things right again. Thanks.
kniklvr 2 years ago
I sure haven't seen a boost in the local economy from fourwheelers patronizing local establishments, even when we had 250 machines a day going by our place for fun and whatever. We're too close to Anchorage. Wheelers bring their gas and only top it off here if they have to. We can tell by the roadside and trail trash, where most of the food and drink comes from. It's not local. If I were so inclined, I'd give a mobile concession a try between JC and the Pavilion Parking Lot.
kniklvr 2 years ago
It's too bad a decent plan for all, can't be
worked out. I always like to support the local economies wherever I ride. When I snowmobile in Willow, I always fill up at Newman's Tesoro, eat lunch at Pioneer Lodge, etc. I figure it helps warm the locals to all the weekend warriors. I think it would be a big boost to Butte's economy, if the atv'ers were able to access the local vendors for gas. lunch, etc. Sure, you could stop riding, and go in a car. But that's not near as fun!-lol
aknmopar 2 years ago
Paving that trail would eliminate 95%
of the problems. Everyone in your video,
that stopped, was unaware they were
breaking the law. And were happy to turn
around.
unfortunately, the people who flipped you
off, will probably still ride on the paved trail.
But they can't plead ignorance, when the cops pull them over!!!-lol
aknmopar 2 years ago
If you'd like to get some background on this issue, please google "Butte Alaska Pathway."
kniklvr 2 years ago
you gotta wonder what the state is thinking sometimes...-lol
..there's a paved bike trail from Big Lake to
Houston, on BOTH sides of the road!!!
What a waste of pavement. -lol
They could have / should have paved another trail somewhere else.
Butte maybe?
aknmopar 2 years ago
I agree, pave that trail.
They'll be no more excuses by the atvs.
Everyone knows a paved trail is a bike trail. Otherwise it looks just like all the legal trails in the valley.
I have to admit, my kids and I rode that
trail to the store for icecream, before we
found out it was non-motorized trial.
aknmopar 2 years ago
aknmopar: yes, it's all about education. The signs there have been up for several years, but have consistently been torn down and vandalized by those who don't know how to read so they have no use for them. One family going down for ice cream doesn't seem to be a big deal; however,when you see some 200 rigs Saturdays and Sundays it doesn't help people's respiratory issues who own homes along the Old Glenn. Like they all say: "We're just following the tracks.."
kniklvr 2 years ago
Going for ice cream is at least more benign on people driving the Old Glenn than running back and forth on the pathway for tanking up on more than just gasoline. I also think it would be nice to have the pathway paved if nothing else to give those who have lost their drivers' license due to DUIs a safe place to ride their bikes to get to work.
kniklvr 2 years ago