Palmer trailblazer among state's top volunteers

April 29, 2005

DARRELL L. BREESE/Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - Austin Helmers admits spending many days enjoying the view of Pioneer Peak from countless porches. He also enjoys hiking and exploring the wilderness areas of the Mat-Su.

A combination of the beauty of the mountain, the drive to explore and a desire to improve access to remote locales led Helmers to develop a safe trail to the summit and earned him recognition from Alaska first lady Nancy Murkowski as one of 11 recipients of the First Lady Volunteer of the Year Award, presented during a ceremony April 20 at the Hilton Anchorage.

Helmers, a retired U.S. Forest Service researcher, put in nearly 20 years of work developing and improving the Pioneer Peak Trail. He also worked on improvements to the Crevasse Moraine and Matanuska Peak trail systems.

"It was sometime in the early 1980s after reading about several people being either injured or killed while climbing the mountain that I knew I had to do something," Helmers said. "At that time, the [Mat-Su] Borough had just one guy working in the Parks Department and trails were a low priority. So I started developing a safer route to climb the mountain."

After photographing Pioneer Peak from several vantage points, he began mapping the current trail. For his efforts, the borough renamed the trail to honor its founder. The Austin Helmers Pioneer Peak trailhead is located near Mile 4 Knik River Road and is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Valley.

Helmers also developed the Matanuska Peak Trail, making it easier to reach the summit.

"The old route to reach the top was to climb Lazy Mountain and then traverse the ridge," Helmers said. "I found an old horse trail at the end of Smith Road and mapped out the route of the current trail."

Being considered one of the state's top volunteers came as a surprise to Helmers.

"I didn't expect it at all," he said of being notified by Murkowski's staff. "I was super surprised and overwhelmed. I just set out to make some trails easier and more accessible. To be one of 11 people recognized, that is a select group. It is truly a great honor."

The First Lady's Volunteer of the Year Awards are presented to Alaskans who demonstrate extraordinary personal commitment to volunteer service and make a significant impact on their community.

"Alaskans are truly some of the most generous and energetic people I've seen, especially when it comes to helping out in their own communities," Murkowski said. "These awards recognize the most outstanding volunteers of the year."

Other award winners include Lynn Ballew, Jeremy Donovan, Kristin Lee Hamerski and Jonathon H. Lack of Anchorage, Rose Cain of Fairbanks, Marilyn Duggar of Nenana, Peter Jacob of Bethel, Grace Merkes of Sterling and Bonnie Nichols from Soldotna.

"I am delighted with the wide range of service and especially with the dedication to volunteerism exemplified by these winners," Murkowski said. "It is a pleasure to be able to honor their service with these awards."