Group aims at reopening Trail of Tears hiking paths

Hikers determined to get back into Trail of Tears State Park have organized an emergency clean up for Saturday.

The goal is to reopen 14.5 miles of hiking and equestrian trails.

The park was closed indefinitely after February's ice storms made roads and trails impassable.

Eric Redinger, assistant director of outdoor adventure for Southeast Missouri State University's recreation services department, is a hiker and one of the organizers of Saturday's work detail.

The trails, he said, "are considered kind of a hazard area because of all the hanging branches and limbs. This might not be a good time to bring small children."

Volunteers must bring their own water, work gloves and any hand tools they can use proficiently, such as handsaws or machetes.

After meeting at the park's visitors center to sign waivers and log the number of hours worked, some crews will be dispatched to Peewah Trail, a 10-mile stretch though a remote section of the park, which winds through the Indian Creek Wild Area.

Others will tackle the two-mile rugged loop called Sheppard Point Trail; the two-mile path near Lake Boutin, Lake Trail; or the flatter terrain of the half-mile Nature Trail.

Redinger said the rebuilding plan started when he learned that February's ice storms had closed the park. He'd planned on leading a hike for Southeast students and staff to Sheppard Point Trail.

"It's a pretty rigorous trial and no horses are allowed because of all the climbing and elevations, but it's an overlook trail of the Mississippi River," he said.

He said work will proceed despite a rainy forecast "unless it's pouring down."

Three Southeast groups have already committed to Saturday's project — the Recreation Services Department; Recreation Enhancement Club; and Trail of Tears Sierra Club.

"We don't have any limitations on who's doing this," Redinger said. "We want as many hands as possible. It makes a lot lighter work."

For details, call the park offices at 573-290-5268 or email Adam Gohn, Sierra Club outings chair, at aegohn1s@semo.edu

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127