Student Members: Katherine Benzmiller, Joshua Borders, Cody Kapotak, Barry Otwell, Owen Rohler
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Vinod Vasudevan
Project Mentor: Chuck Casper, PE
Description:
The Bear Lake Trailhead in the Bear Lake subdivision is approximately 7 miles north of Seward, AK. Originally the land was owned by the USFS, in 1994 it was selected by the State of Alaska, but the USFS retained a site easement for the development of a trailhead associated with the Iditarod National Historic Trail. The “Southern Trek” of the Iditarod National Historic Trail (INHT) is a system of historic and commemorative trails that run for nearly 200 miles through Forest Service lands from Seward to Crow Pass near Girdwood in South-Central Alaska. It is one of 19 National Historic Trails nationally and one of the four original trails established in 1978. Although the trail’s connection to the gold rush dominates the historical narrative, its history stretches back for thousands of years as a corridor of pathways and trading routes for native Alaskans. The area also has a rich history that includes Native Alaskans, Russians, Americans, and other groups that have lived, mined, or traded along the network of trails from the mid-18th century to today.
The USDA Forest Service is looking to develop this site for the trailhead. This multi-disciplinary project would include conceptual design of parking lot using existing site survey and Civil3D, design of highway access for ADOT&PF Driveway permit, design of trail connections for site to trail easement transition, site accessibility evaluation, and design of a kiosk and outhouse installation. Students will produce grading plans, including balancing cuts and fills; evaluation and design of drainage and culverts, and roadway design for large vehicles such as RVs and trucks with trailers.
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