What is
Trail Mix, Inc.?
Cooperation
 Trail Mix is a non-profit organization in Juneau, Alaska
that brings together volunteers and local, state,
and federal agencies to develop and maintain a trail
system in the City & Borough of Juneau.
Trails in Juneau pass through lands that may be under
the jurisdiction of several agencies:
- Local City Parks & Recreation Department
-
Alaska State Parks & Outdoor Recreation
- USDA Forest Service, Tongass National Forest
 as well as some privately owned land. It takes
cooperation among these agencies to plan, develop,
and
maintain trails for many types of users:
| hikers |
bikers |
snowmobilers |
| ORVs |
dog walkers |
wheelchairs |
| horseback riders |
sightseers |
skiers |
Trail Mix hires trail crews
and negotiates contracts with the agencies to build
and
maintain trails.
It also organizes volunteer work parties
for the same
purpose. It participates in the development of land use regulations
associated with commercial and recreational
trail use.
Tourism
Visitors to Alaska come to explore Juneau’s rainforests,
waterways, alpine meadows, and glaciers that make Southeast
Alaska a destination of choice. Juneau’s trail
system offers many different recreational opportunities
for visitors. Independent travelers can use our trail
guides and trip reports to choose a trail to match
their time constraints and abilities. Guided hikes
with naturalists are also available through guiding
and tour companies.
 Planning
Volunteer community members and agency representatives
work together to develop trail plans that guide cooperative
efforts on behalf of the trail system. A draft Juneau
Trails Plan incorporates input from community members
at public meetings, and then the revised Plan serves
as a guide for seasonal projects and deployment of
work crews.
Trail Mix is always involved in planning new trails
and enhancements for existing trails. It welcomes suggestions
for expanding the trail system and above all, counts
on the enthusiasm and hard work of its members to turn
plans into a mixed-use trail system.
Fundraising
While the agencies provide much of the funding for
materials, supplies, and work crews, the ongoing
operations of Trail Mix and funding for its Executive
Director,
Trail Crew Foreman, and Office Manager positions
have to be supported by fundraising. The Trail Mix
Board
of Directors actively organizes fundraising activities
and seeks grant support for its projects.
Education
 Juneau is a small urban center completely surrounded
by wilderness. There are no roads out of Juneau to
interior Alaskan communities. It takes only minutes
on any of Juneau’s trails before you have opportunities
to view wildlife and lose sight of human habitation.
Hiking preparedness is especially important given
the remote nature of Juneau’s trails and the
varieties of terrain through which trails pass. Trail
Mix educates new trail users about safety precautions
and trail etiquette.
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