First Trail Blazers Hike!

The first Trail Blazers hike was done along the fire road of the Mount Baldy trail from Manker Flats to the Top of the Notch restaurant (also accessible via ski lift). The hike was about 7 miles round trip, but most of the trash could be found in two specific areas: by the cars parked at Manker Flats, and by the restaurant at the top of the ski lift. 

Here is a picture that I took from the Top of the Notch restaurant looking down towards the trail.

One part of the hike that struck me was after picking up one of many cans along the trail. This can was slightly heavy so I shook it thinking dirt and rocks would fall out. However, a ton of ants started crawling out of it. I felt like I had destroyed their home, but this can should have never been their home in the first place.

Another strange thing that I picked up was a diaper. This was pretty gross, but it was more annoying that I found it fairly close to a trash can. Teach your kids to clean up after themselves!

The best part of the hike was coming across other people who intended on picking trash up as well on their descent. Our goal as Trail Blazers is to clean up trails, and finding other people with the same intentions or being able to inspire other people is rewarding as well!

A full bag of trash and recyclables after just one hike-there is still a lot to be picked up!