Endangered boonie hike trail on Ague Cove

Endangered boonie hike trail on Ague Cove

Posted: Jan 13, 2010 8:32 PM PST
by Heather Hauswirth

Guam - For the month of January, the Guam Boonie Stompers are featuring trails that are expected be closed to the public according to plans outlined in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Before the hike began the Guam Boonie Stompers gathered at the Chamorro Village and the hike's leader, David Lotz, asked everyone there to sign a petition against restricting public access to hiking trails.

Ague Cove is property of the Pangelinan family, who granted the Boonie Stompers special access to the trail for this hike. Co-leader of the Boonie Stompers Roger Edson is an avid hiker and works at the National Weather Service.

Edson said, "There are a lot of coastlines that are privately owned, but then you can at least talk to the family. If the military takes it over you have a whole new set of bureaucracy."

75 people came out for the hike, but most hikes attract between 50 and 100 stompers. Aaron Jackson and his girlfriend Mandi Swander are first-timers, with the former saying, "I better go now before I can't."

Robert Mangahas is in the military and works in the laboratory at Naval Hospital. Robert is a frequent boonie hiker. After trekking through the jungle, we finally made it to cove.

A lot of people enjoy snorkeling and jumping off the cliffs and it is also one of the trails that the military listed in the Draft EIS as one they will have to close off to the public during the buildup. The trail is also popular for families.

Sarah Vinch loves that she can bring her little ones along, saying, "The hike coming down here is very doable for families and is one of the most beautiful coves on the island. I love it here. It's my favorite hike; hopefully we can keep hiking down here."

There are three more hikes left in January that are listed on the endangered trail list. Whether you want to see a new part of the island or if you've already been, it's best go before it's too late.