Project Spotlight: Nordic Trail Hardening at Eaglecrest

This spring, the Juneau Nordic Ski Club (JNSC) led a major Nordic trail hardening project at Eaglecrest—an effort that showcased true community collaboration and long-term investment in our trail system.

Our ongoing Trail Hardening Project plays a vital role in protecting the fragile muskeg ecosystem. By reinforcing sections of trail, we’re able to begin grooming earlier in the season—an important step as weather patterns continue to shift. This work acts as essential climate-resilience infrastructure, ensuring the trails remain durable and accessible for year-round user groups including the cross-country running team, dog walkers, casual hikers, Segway tours, and many others.

Thanks to these improvements, our trail system is better protected, more sustainable, and ready to support the growing community of outdoor enthusiasts who rely on it in every season.

Thanks to a Juneau Community Foundation parks and trails project grant and countless volunteer hours contributed by JNSC, the team was able to significantly improve trail durability and all-season usability. The permit that was obtained for this project, now allows for 5 years of continued improvements to the Lower-loop area. Eaglecrest played a key role as well, providing equipment and staff time and even purchasing additional gravel to support the work.

A number of community partners stepped up to make the project possible:

  • Parks & Recreation Department loaned their brand-new Hydrema articulated dump truck for on-site work.
  • CBJ Streets & Fleet transported gravel to Eaglecrest at no charge—with an impressive number of dump-truck loads delivered (final count forthcoming).
  • Bobcat of Juneau supported the project by loaning an electric skid steer.
  • CBJ Engineering supported the project with design and technical support.
  • Eaglecrest Board members were field volunteers.

Photos captured throughout the project highlight just how collaborative and hands-on this effort was. The upgraded trails are owned and maintained by Eaglecrest, with continued support from JNSC for grooming and upkeep. Together, these improvements will help ensure our Nordic trail system remains one of Juneau’s most beautiful—yet still too often under-utilized—recreational assets.