The Tsalteshi Trails Association Board of Directors meeting for Aug. 18 will be held in the community room at the Soldotna Library. The meeting starts at 6:15 p.m. Meetings are open to the public. Please email info@tsalteshi.org if you'd like to address the board as part of the agenda.
The Kenai Watershed Forum, as part of the Kenai Peninsula Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, will treat infestations of orange hawkweed on Tsalteshi Trails on July 19. Populations of this invasive weed have been found along the Goat, Lynx, Raven, Wolf and Sprint Hill loops. Areas being treated will be signed and closed to traffic for 24 hours. Weeds will be treated with the herbicide Milestone (active ingredient, aminopyralid). Milestone received a “Practically Nontoxic” rating from the EPA, which is the EPA’s least toxic category. The rates at which the herbicide will be applied are very low. It affects herbaceous plants, not grass. Still, we don’t want the treated area to be disturbed for 24 hours to prevent the herbicide from being transferred to other areas of the trails. Please…
Tree cutting is not allowed on Tsalteshi Trails without a permit from the Tsalteshi Trails Association. We've got a lot of beetle-kill spruce to remove but we also have a lot of trail users and need to prioritize safety. If you're interested in harvesting firewood, please be aware: There is no fee for firewood permits but harvesters must be current members of TTA. Woodcutters must contact TTA and obtain a permit before tree cutting/wood removal. A limited number of permits are available at a time. Let us know when and where you'd like to operate. Woodcutting is not allowed when races/programs/activities are underway in the area. Woodcutters must be over 18, have their own equipment and sign a liability waiver with TTA. Woodcutters must display trail work signage (provided by…
The Rotary Unity Run returns July 17 at Tsalteshi Trails. Choose a 5K, 10K or a 1-mile kid/family friendly distance. Proceeds support TTA and the Kenai River Rotary Club's literacy and tree-planting projects. Door prizes from local businesses. $25 for individuals, $50 for families with a discount for TTA and Rotary members. Register in advance online at https://members.tsalteshi.org/event-4263963. In-person registration opens at 8 a.m. day of the race. Race starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Skyview Trailhead.
Keep an eye out for an aggressive cow moose in the Squirrel-Owl-Rabbit area. She charged a runner on Owl earlier this week. Calves were not spotted but they might be present. Please give all moose a wide berth on the trails, especially cows with calves this time of year. Keep dogs on leashes or under strict voice control. Help us track wildlife problems on the trails — report negative wildlife interactions to info@tsalteshi.org or message us on Facebook. And please keep the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in the loop. Report problem wildlife encounters here.
The Tsalteshi Trails Association Board of Directors put in a lot of hours over 2020-2021 winter and spring updating the guiding vision of the trails today and what we want to accomplish in the next five years. Check it out here. Want to get involved? See a project or goal that sparks your interest? Get in touch at info@tsalteshi.org.
Public Notice: Tsalteshi Trails Association is applying for a Recreational Trails Program grant to improve usability of the Skyview Trailhead and create a new storage area and building for Tsalteshi equipment. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Please read the public notice and let us know. RTP public notice
Join Kenai River Brewing for a social ski event to kick off Frozen Riverfest. Event starts at 11 a.m. Feb. 15 at the Wolverine Trailhead. It's free. No registration required.
This year's Tour of Tsalteshi is Sunday, Feb. 16 at the trailhead behind Skyview Middle School. The 40-kilometer freestyle race — two laps around the trails — starts at 11:30 a.m. A 20-kilometer race — one lap around the trails, with freestyle and classic divisions — starts shortly thereafter. Prizes will be awarded for the first three men and women finishers in each race and raffle drawings will be available to all participants. Awards will be given at a post-race party at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna. Discounts available for early registration, TTA members and members of neighboring ski clubs. First 125 to sign up get a free buff with winter skier artwork of Kaitlin Vadla. For more information, visit www.touroftsalteshi.org. To register, visit the Events page.
Show winter who’s boss in the Iceman Triathlon. The fastest time to complete three full loops wins — 7.5K ski, 4.5K fat bike or 4.5K run. You can choose to just ski, just bike, just run or any combination of the three. Here's where it gets interesting: Total race times adjusted with the following modifiers: 4 minutes off of each lap skied 6 minutes off of each lap run 30 seconds off each transition made (45 seconds if it involves ski gear) 1 minute off for a full ski/bike/run triathlon Strategery! Get thinking about your approach, then sign up on the Events page.
