New Trail at Cumberland State Forest

Last Thursday and Friday I had the great pleasure of working with the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) group from Bear Creek Lake State Park. These young men spend three weeks of their hard earned summer vacation performing various work for the state park including maintenance, moving the archery range, and trail work. In a welcome partnership with Bear Creek Lake State Park, park ranger Joey Dayton, offered me two days of service from these hardworking gentlemen.

Led by three team supervisors the group showed on Thursday morning not knowing fully what to expect except that it was going to be HOT! In near 100 degree temperatures I led them to Arrowhead Lake on the Cumberland State Forest. Our goal was to clear a one mile trail that would take users on a loop around the lake. The trail was designed to give fishermen better access to different parts of the lake as well as provide a short nature trail for enjoyment. The plan is to eventually put a picnic shelter at the parking area for the lake which would allow forest visitors a chance to enjoy a meal and then enjoy the woods.

The YCC group was an absolute pleasure to work with. They were constantly talking and laughing all while digging in the heat. They chopped small trees, cleared brush, and dug a trail down to bare dirt in no time. The high temperature did take effect on the crew by the early afternoon, but I was more than happy to turn them loose early to go back to the park and get some swim/free time in. The next day the crew showed up ready to work and quickly found their rhythm. The trail is approximately halfway done, reaching from the far side of the dam almost to the creek that feeds the lake. I didn't expect them to finish the trail in only two days but they certainly put every effort towards it.

Words cannot express my gratitude towards the YCC group as well as the state park for allowing me to use them! I look forward to participating in the YCC program in the future as this is a great opportunity for young men and women to gain valuable experience in a natural resource career. THANK YOU YCC!