Join the Army - Build Trails in Iowa
The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visits Rathbun Lake, site of a proposed 30-mile trail.

Volunteers learn how to "zero out" with clinometers. Members of the Rathbun Lake Trails group will use these handy tools to design 30 miles of new multi-use trail.

Bill Felkner runs a proposed flag line to test its flow. Flow is the rhythm or "feel" of the trail.

Lake: Rathbun Lake, IA

Partners: USACE; International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)

Partnership Type: MOU

Corps POC: Marcia Thomas

Story: Adding trails is an excellent start. With permission of the Army Corps of Engineers, members of the Rathbun Lake Trails group began the process last year by marking the lake's high-water line. The Army Corps is now pursuing environmental clearances. In anticipation of future construction, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew presented two IMBA Trailbuilding Schools during their visit, one to area land managers and one to trail volunteers. Classroom and trail instruction focused on sustainable trail design, drainage, assessing soil types, and practicing layout.

When the trail is complete, it will be cause for celebration. Thirty miles of multi-use trail in a state with very little public land is an achievement of epic proportions!

URL: http://www.imba.com/tcc/2003/rathbun.html