1991-2001 Milestones

--The first 10 years--

How many of the following were you involved with or can remember?

  • The Mat Su Trails Council (MSTC) was conceived by Austin Helmers and Chuck Kaucic in the fall of 1990 to mirror on a smaller scale the Idaho State Trails Council.

  • John Luster served as the first President and has remained at the helm since inception. The Council decided that the President’s term is for perpetuity.

  • MSTC hosted the State’s first Trails and Streams Institute at Hatcher Pass’ Motherlode Lodge in 1992. The National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program and the Borough’s Parks and Recreation Division assisted. Under the direction of Chuck Kaucic and Jack Mosby, the event brought motorized and non-motorized users and agencies together in an educational forum.

  • Dog Drivers North was the first group to purchase a Life Membership. Wayne Groomer is our sole individual Life Member.

  • MSTC assisted with planning and staffing the first Creek and Lake Cleanup sponsored by the Valley Alaska Center for the Environment.

  • MSTC hosts a trails classification meeting attended by numerous federal, state, and local government agencies and user groups for designating trails either remote or urban.

  • Janet Kincaid was the first MSB Assembly member to become an MSTC member. Past District #5 Assembly member Jay Nolfi is a member. These women are true community activists.

  • Two Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Conferences were co-hosted by MSTC in 1989 and 1990. A Winter Recreation Expo was co-sponsored in 1990.

  • The Trail Ranger and Jr. Trail Ranger programs were initiated by Chuck Kaucic. The program purpose is to reach public trail stewardship to youth ages 6-16 through learning and working on trail projects. Since the program inception, over 300 youth have been involved in the program with approximately 40 completing all of the requirements to earn the colorful 100% embroidered patch.

  • The following trails were conceived, constructed, spearheaded and/or improved by MSTC volunteer forces:
    • Thurlow Trail (Palmer-Wasilla Highway Separated Path from Palmer to Wasilla)
    • Thurlow Trail Memorial Observation Deck area
    • 7 Mile Canoe Trail
    • Pioneer Ridge - Knik River
    • Crevasse-Moraine Trail
    • Trail of the Falcon
    • Trail of the Mountaineer
    • Lake Lucille Trails
    • Mat River Park Trails
    • Luthman Trail
    • Lazy Mt. Trail
    • Plumley-Maud Trail
    • Burnt Butte Trail
    • Kings River Trail
    • Permanente Trail
    • Montana Creek Falls Trail
    • Purinton Creek Trail
    • Loon Lake Trail
    • Chickaloon-Knik-Nelchina Trail

  • The Gary Thurlow Volunteer of the Year Award was created by the MSTC in 1995 to recognize outstanding trail volunteers who devoted exceptional service to Mat Su area trails. Award recipients are as follows:

    • 1995 Linda Luster
    • 1996 John Luster
    • 1997 Chuck Kaucic
    • 1998 Bill Eastham
    • 1999 Ron Aldrich
    • 2000

  • MSTC sent a delegate to the 1992 and 1994 national trail symposiums and 1992 Alaska Trails and Streams Institute.

  • MSTC conducted dedication ceremonies for:

    • Seven Mile Canoe Trail System
    • Trail of the Falcon
    • Trail of the Mountaineer
    • 2nd phase of the Thurlow Trail
    • Thurlow Trail Memorial Observation deck

  • Three MSTC members have been honored by the Vibram Company as the State of Alaska Volunteer of the Year:

    • 1996 Linda Luster
    • 1997 John Luster
    • 1998 Chuck Kaucic