Cottonwood Eastland Trails
Vision
The Homer Cycling Club, in partnership with the Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park, is working to develop a system of biking and hiking trails in the Cottonwood-Eastland Management Unit of Kachemak Bay State Park. This is part of a larger volunteer and community-based effort to build hiking trails, biking trails and equestrian trails in the State Park unit, which is accessible by road 17 miles East of Homer. Road access to these types of trails are limited on the southern Kenai Peninsula but the demand for them is great.
Action So Far
In the spring of 2024, we contracted Ptarmigan Ptrails to do layout and design for a stacked loop system of trails. Their work was completed mid-summer, and the resulting document will serve as a template to share with the public, land managers, and granting agencies as we pursue this vision.
In fall of 2024, we applied for an RTP grant.
In January of 2025, we got an RTP grant!
See the full concept plan here:
Cottonwood Eastland concept trails design
In February of 2025 we advertised a Request for Quote for professional trail builders to construct Phase 1.
In late April of 2025, we contracted with Last Frontier Trails to build Phase 1. Construction is expected to begin late summer 2025.
In May of 2025 the Interagency Land Management Administrative Decision (ILMA) was signed!
Participate
To get involved, donate funds or housing for our trail builders, contact us at: cetrailsak@gmail.com
Fundraising
The scope of this project is huge, and as such the costs to build it out are proportionally huge. While we will be applying for some significant grants, we are going to need all the funding we can get, including at the grass-roots level. If you want to see this kind of accessible trail system on this side of the bay, consider donating to the cause. Your donation is tax-deductible as HCC and Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park are both federally recognized non-profits. You can mail your donation to: Homer Cycling Club, 4658 Tamara Street, Homer, AK, 99603 and just write “Cottonwood” on the memo line.
Timeline
June 2024: Ptarmigan Trails site evaluation and trail design - COMPLETED!
October 2024: Submit RTP grant for funding phase 1 - COMPLETED!
Winter 2024/25: Get RTP grant, begin fundraising at local level -COMPLETED!
Summer 2025-2026: Begin construction of trails*
* pending funding and land manager agreements