As Allen Countians continue to clear up damage from Friday’s storm, David Fontaine has set his sights on the Southwind Rail Trail.
The hiking and biking trail that connects Iola and Humboldt has been closed to the public since Friday’s storms, with several mangled trees blocking the corridor.
Southwind in particular is closed. Most of Lehigh Portland is open.
“It’s the worst I’ve seen it on the trail,” said Fontaine, one of the lead volunteers who helped build and maintain the 8-mile trail that follows the old Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Rail corridor.
Just north of the Humboldt trailhead is an oversized Cottonwood tree that was uprooted from winds estimated at more than 80 mph, completing blocking the path.
“That’s going to take multiple hours by itself just getting it cut up and off the trail,” Fontaine said.
At several other places, fallen trees are hung up with others still standing, making it precarious for those attempting to clear the debris.
He said trail users should not attempt to clear any brush along either the Lehigh Portland or Southwind trails.
“When you have broken stuff up high, that’s where it gets dangerous,” Fontaine said. “You never know when that’s going to fall.”
Fontaine has secured a mini excavator to help with the project.
But just as he was about to embark on repairs Tuesday morning, his truck broke down.
“It’s just one thing after another,” he muttered. “But we’re working on it. It’s just going to take some time.”
John Leahy, Thrive Allen County’s trails manager for the Lehigh Portland Trails complex, said his area sustained some damage as well.
The main “backbone” trails are for the most part accessible, “but by no means completely cleared,” Leahy said.
He had yet to navigate the 14-plus miles of single track courses to gauge the damage.
