A hidden gem, the Montana Creek Wetlands conservation property in Juneau is one of the largest pieces of property in the Mendenhall Valley. This property is tucked between Montana Creek to the west and the Mendenhall River to the east. Out in the wetland meadows of the property, you would never guess that you are surrounded by private residences.
When the Southeast Alaska Land Trust bought the property in 2014, there was a small camp area next to Montana Creek, with two tent platforms and an outhouse. The tent platforms and outhouse had become unstable and were unsafe for use.
The camp area next to Montana Creek before the cleanup.
Volunteers Frank Rue & Pauline Strong hard at work.
Over the course of four cleanup days in 2018, volunteers disassembled and painstakingly removed these structures piece by piece, carrying out all materials a quarter-mile down a root laden trail to Mendenhall Loop Road for disposal.
Now that the site is clear, vegetation will soon reclaim the area and provide excellent habitat for deer, black bears, and songbirds.
The old campsite still has a small wooden bench and a beautiful view of Montana Creek—we hope you’ll come out and enjoy this peaceful location.
Many thanks to the many volunteers who made this cleanup possible. We couldn’t have done it without you!
To read more about the Montana Creek Wetlands conservation property, and to see a map of the area, please see our property page at this link.
*This article was originally published in the 2019 Spring Newsletter. To read the entire newsletter, please go to this link.
The camp area immediately after the cleanup.