Flakes On La Cumbre Peak 12/31/14

Just enough snow to dust the highest peaks......

Camino Cielo just behind La Cumbre

Arlington and Cathedral with a light dusting on the backside

 frozen solid

Snow in the backcountry

Pine needle popsicles

Picnic Table at La Cumbre

Upper Tunnel Trail Head

Mid December Post Storm Cleanup

Some of the damage on the trails from recent storms, 

other areas of repair include: Jesusita and Tunnel Trails

Rattlesnake Cyn deadfall

after

Connector water channeling

after

Winter Storm Prep, Rattlesnake Canyon - Preventing Erosion On The Trail

Properly functioning water bars aka water drainage features, 

keep trails dry and prevents major erosion problems later on

Contact the Multiuse Trails Coalition to find out how you can help!

Post Storm Clean Up - Jesusita

Before and after of a fallen tree on Jesusita

Thanks Seldon!

Red Rock 50 Trail Run

Congrats to all that participated in the Red Rock 50 for 2014!

Runners on the Hot Springs Connector Trail

More about the Red Rock 50

See The Unofficial Photo Album Here

Winter Trail Prep Has Begun - Waterbar Repair, Jesusita Trail

Contact us to find out how to make the trails better!

Arroyo Burro Trail Coyotes

Jesusita Trail Wall Build - Day 2

Six dedicated trail builders turned out for today's Jesusita Trail wall building project.  Several thousand pounds of rock were located and carried into place during this mornings session and the wall is approaching 3/4 complete.  Look for another work day coming in the next few weeks to finish this project off.

Surveying rock placement locations 

1st person rock sling view

Chris Orr preparing to lower rocks onto the wall

  

 Adding fill

Rest

Adding fill and moving rocks

The Team

Today's start

Today's finish

Before

After

Sunrise From La Cumbre

National Public Lands Day A Success!

Big thanks to all those who participated in National Public Lands Day this past Saturday on Jesusita Trail.  The main objective was to repair a section of trail damaged by people switchback "cutting"  .  The project is halfway completed and it will hopefully be fully restored in the next several weeks.  Contact us to find out how you can help!

The section of trail damaged by hikers "cutting" a switchback

Constructing a wall to reinforce the hillside and rebuild the trail

Half way there!

The rest of the photos

National Public Lands Day - Sept 27, Jesusita Trail

Tip Of The Day - Don't Cut Switchbacks!

Trails are designed to hold up under a lot of hard use and abuse .  However, when they are not used properly they can fall apart.  A common problem us trail maintenance groups face is when people decide to "cut switchbacks" to save a little time and or make the journey more challenging.  

This particular switchback shown below(Jesusita Trail) has been a favorite of hikers to cut for years.  Tree limbs have been placed to discourage cutting but they have all been pushed aside in order to cut.  In the last six months this trail has gone from about a foot of usable tread to non-existent.  It is going to be a major repair to fix this section of trail and probably cost in the thousands of dollars.

The trail is now a dangerous and has a six foot drop to the trail below.  If on this trail, be careful and NEVER CUT A SWITCHBACK!

Evidence of cutting, Jesusita Trail - Feb 2014

July 2014, Same area

Can You Find The Baby Rattler?

Along the Arlington Peak Trail

National Trails Day A Success!

More than 50 people turned out for National Trails Day on Jesusita Trail last weekend.  Lots of brush was removed and many repairs made to the tread.  Thanks to all that participated!

Front Country Trails Coordinator Chris Orr prepping the group

Tools of the trade

Opening an non functioning WDF

After

It took 7 people to lift this oak tree off the trail

A volunteer clearing brush

Cutting back the brush with pole saws