By Erin Cole
For The Cordova Times
After years of planning, the parking lot at Sand Trail, designed specifically for trucks and trailers at the ATV access route to Scott Valley via Sand Trail, mile 9.5 of the Copper River Highway, is now open and fully functioning.
If not for Native Village of Eyak partnering with the Forest Service and Federal Highway Administration, this project would not have been possible. A big thank you also goes out to Eagle Contracting for construction.
Why is parking needed at this site when roadside parking has sufficed for so long? Now that the project is completed, we’re asking for a transition of use by riders from the “Golf Course” access at mile 7 to the improved Sand Trail route. Recreational ATV users must access the Scott Valley via Sand Trail; ATV access at the “Golf Course” is restricted to those engaged in subsistence activities.
Additional downsides exist at the “Golf Course” location, prompting the new access site. The traditional route requires users to cross a busy state highway without traffic controls. User-created trails developed in the area follow salmon spawning and rearing channels on Ibeck Creek. ATV use in these areas introduces fine sediments, destroys riparian vegetation, and injures adult and juvenile salmon, including the incubating eggs. Sand Trail alleviates these concerns.
Work completed on Sand Trail ATV route in 2015-16 rerouted a section of trail that had washed out along Scott River and reinforced the trail bed with gravel substrate, turnpikes and bridges in strategic locations. Routes have been marked with posts and orange diamonds for increased navigability, and the trail extended to bring travelers closer to Scott Glacier.
Trail improvements will continue in coming years. Approved stream crossings along the route have been marked with orange diamonds to limit impact to important salmon rearing habitat. Please cross only at approved locations.
Sand Trail parking lot is designed for vehicles to keep left of the traffic control island, offload ATVs, and continue around to park facing north for easy exiting. Use caution near steeply angled edges and abide by the proper traffic flow for your safety and convenience.
Contact the Cordova Ranger District for further information at 907-424-7661 or visit us in the historic courthouse building at 612 2nd Street, Cordova.
Erin Cole is the Developed Recreation Program Coordinator for the U.S. Forest Service Cordova Ranger District.
