SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
So I got to wondering, is it legal for just anyone to do "trail maintenance"? Do you not have to be certified or a member of some organization?
I Did Some Trail Work Today
- Thread starter Daddy Dirtbag
- Start date
kioti
iMTB Rockstah
Mike and I got along well today. It was a good trail day from start to finish, and Ranger Brad called our work "Beautiful." But the most beautiful thing to me was that there were actual kids out there doing trail work!
Oh, and I don't know about pigs, but I've heard that cows can fly. The difficulty remains in milking them, along with other obvious problems.
kioti
iMTB Rockstah
Simple enough question.. first the "simple" answer. Yes, anyone can do trail maintenance legally. But there are restrictions depending on who owns the land.
Today, for example, Facu and the LCR kids and parents worked in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. They were supervised and directed by trail and habitat specialists from the Laguna Canyon Foundation, a non-profit group who has an arrangement to manage trails in LCWP and Aliso/Woods Canyon Park. The ranger came along to help as well, as did I (an OC Parks trail volunteer). I have an arrangement with the Aliso rangers to work and lead volunteers on Meadows Trail, which I've been working on for several years. I do not have a similar arrangement in Laguna Coast, but can work there under the supervision of LCF (even to the extent of leading a small crew). I've also had similar arrangements in other County parks, most notably Whiting Ranch, for several years after the Santiago Fire.
There are other groups with various arrangements in both County and National Forest parks and lands. Two main groups in Orange County are SHARE and the Warrior's Society. SHARE has many volunteer opportunities for riders wanting to do trail work, as does the Laguna Canyon Foundation. Anyone interested in helping out is encouraged to contact the land manager, or visit these groups websites. You can also ask a person working on a trail how to get involved, and exchange contact information. And sometimes you can even help out immediately, though you might be asked to sign a waiver.
And if you wish to commit to being an official volunteer in the National Forest, like say in the Angeles, you'd contact the ranger, fill out an application, and go from there.
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SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
Thanks for the skinny!
evdog
iMTB Rockstah
Trail work today, a bit different from the norm...
San Diego Mtn Biking Assn had a trail day today with the Marines on MCAS Miramar. Same place, same trail where the bike confiscations happened last year. It was actually a pretty momentous day that a few people worked a long time for. Over the last 5-10 years we've even had County Supervisors go to DC and local Congressman meet with the head of the Marine Corps about this trail. The County was never able to convince them to sell the land the Stowe Trail is on, and things weren't looking good last year when hardcore enforcement began. But the base commander had a change of heart after seeing Pardee Homes grading for a large new development at the SE corner of the base, and knowing that a couple thousand more homes are proposed right up to the base boundary in Santee. There will be a lot more people nearby and pressure on the base boundary in the future. So the various parties finally worked out a deal to (re-)establish public access to the Stowe Tr.
It will be a bit like Camp Pendleton where you have to go into the base and apply for an annual permit to ride through. Unlike Pendleton though you'll have to carry it with you at all times. With a permit you will be able to ride through on the Stowe Trail which will get you from Poway to Santee, a key connector that was lost when the Marines started enforcing their eastern boundary. There will be no access to any trail west of Stowe, and they have put up plenty of signage. Our work today was to close down those trails west of Stowe and make them unrideable so that people will hopefully stay off them. Stowe is not open yet as they are still working on the permit process, but hopefully soon we will be able to ride through there.
Lack of signage was the #1 excuse for those ticketed by MPs. There is no shortage of signage anymore.
We had a 3 mi hike in to the work site, fortunately it was a perfect day for it
Such a beautiful canyon, it was nice to be back there
Signs every 100-150 feet
The crew I was with decommissioned what is known as the Switchbacks trail. Parts of it were completely overgrown due to lack of use and recent rains
Parts that weren't overgrown we broke up the tread to promote vegetation growth and piled on some debris. It won't keep a determined poacher off, but the MPs will
We did some work to re-establish Stowe Trail itself. Part of it is old ranch road and part is singletrack. The road portions took a beating in recent rains, so much so that patrolling MPs have created ride arounds with ATVs and side by sides which we were able to re-purpose as the official trail.
VIPs like the SDMBA el presidente got a lift in
Working on a blown out stream crossing
Stay on the trail! I talked to a few MPs and they are very serious about their job. They will be out in force once the trail opens, for sure...
Closing down trail isn't something I generally like to participate in but in this case it will be worth it to help get legal access to Stowe Trail re-established. Can't wait to be able to ride through here again, it will open up some longer ride opportunities!
San Diego Mtn Biking Assn had a trail day today with the Marines on MCAS Miramar. Same place, same trail where the bike confiscations happened last year. It was actually a pretty momentous day that a few people worked a long time for. Over the last 5-10 years we've even had County Supervisors go to DC and local Congressman meet with the head of the Marine Corps about this trail. The County was never able to convince them to sell the land the Stowe Trail is on, and things weren't looking good last year when hardcore enforcement began. But the base commander had a change of heart after seeing Pardee Homes grading for a large new development at the SE corner of the base, and knowing that a couple thousand more homes are proposed right up to the base boundary in Santee. There will be a lot more people nearby and pressure on the base boundary in the future. So the various parties finally worked out a deal to (re-)establish public access to the Stowe Tr.
It will be a bit like Camp Pendleton where you have to go into the base and apply for an annual permit to ride through. Unlike Pendleton though you'll have to carry it with you at all times. With a permit you will be able to ride through on the Stowe Trail which will get you from Poway to Santee, a key connector that was lost when the Marines started enforcing their eastern boundary. There will be no access to any trail west of Stowe, and they have put up plenty of signage. Our work today was to close down those trails west of Stowe and make them unrideable so that people will hopefully stay off them. Stowe is not open yet as they are still working on the permit process, but hopefully soon we will be able to ride through there.
Lack of signage was the #1 excuse for those ticketed by MPs. There is no shortage of signage anymore.
We had a 3 mi hike in to the work site, fortunately it was a perfect day for it
Such a beautiful canyon, it was nice to be back there
Signs every 100-150 feet
The crew I was with decommissioned what is known as the Switchbacks trail. Parts of it were completely overgrown due to lack of use and recent rains
Parts that weren't overgrown we broke up the tread to promote vegetation growth and piled on some debris. It won't keep a determined poacher off, but the MPs will
We did some work to re-establish Stowe Trail itself. Part of it is old ranch road and part is singletrack. The road portions took a beating in recent rains, so much so that patrolling MPs have created ride arounds with ATVs and side by sides which we were able to re-purpose as the official trail.
VIPs like the SDMBA el presidente got a lift in
Working on a blown out stream crossing
Stay on the trail! I talked to a few MPs and they are very serious about their job. They will be out in force once the trail opens, for sure...
Closing down trail isn't something I generally like to participate in but in this case it will be worth it to help get legal access to Stowe Trail re-established. Can't wait to be able to ride through here again, it will open up some longer ride opportunities!
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
^ Outstanding! 
kioti
iMTB Rockstah
At the request of the Ranger, I took out the 3 kickers on Meadows today. I had universal support from all the riders and hikers I talked to. The conditions were poor for digging, but I did my best to return each of the spots to pre-kicker status. That means they still provide opportunities to get air; just not go into orbit.
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
Here are before and after shots of a short section of trail where I stopped to clear some babyheads out of the way.
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
I walked the entirety of the Catalina Verdugo trail in the Glendale Sport Complex this evening with the wifey.
Clippers in hand, I cleared the way of overgrowth once again. A passing mountain biker thanked me for my efforts.
Clippers in hand, I cleared the way of overgrowth once again. A passing mountain biker thanked me for my efforts.
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SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
Did some clearing this evening on a local trail with da wife!
kioti
iMTB Rockstah
Had a few hours this afternoon to do any one of a million things and I chose trail work. Drove to Aliso and rode from the Ranger Station to the base of Meadows. Stashed my bike and walked up the trail, cleaning every drain I saw. I counted 63 of them (or one for every year I've been alive). Then I hustled back down to my bike and rode back to the truck with zero daylight to spare. Ready for rain, but maybe not deluge.
Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
Good stewardship, Jim!
kioti
iMTB Rockstah
Thanks @Cyclotourist. This is my first day of trail work on Meadows for the '17/'18 winter trail work season. The dirt was dry so I did minimal chopping into it--just enough in places to encourage water to the edge of the trail/drain. Mostly I cleared weeds and scraped deposition dirt out of depressions so water could flow off the trail. Overall the trail was solid with no loose dirt except the top of some berms, and pretty much in the same condition as when Facu and I brushed it in July. Some of the fall line social trails are grown over, but I won't be surprised if they're re-established. I'll put a group together once it rains to knock down the brake bumps and re-shape some berms. We'll probably want to add a few berms as well, where riders are tracking off the out-slope.
I've been working on the STT as well, with Jon Kearley and friends. Same M.O. Trying to re-establish drainage ahead of significant rainfall. Not fun, but helps prevent ruts and preserves time for brake bump removal and trail shaping. Luge is also on the agenda.
MrGreedom
Well-Known Member
I have been eyeing this line on my local ride since the Summer. It has been washed out for years. The hikers hardly use it because it starts and ends in odd place. I finally got a chance to do some work on it.
Can't see it in the pic but I left the 12" drop in tact where the waterfall used to be.
Cleaned up this turn with a natural berm in it.
Rode the line from end to end. Felt good bringing this back, felt better riding it. What doesnt feel good is my back. 3 hrs of throwing dirt hurts way worse than 3hrs being bent over the handlebars.
Can't see it in the pic but I left the 12" drop in tact where the waterfall used to be.
Cleaned up this turn with a natural berm in it.
Rode the line from end to end. Felt good bringing this back, felt better riding it. What doesnt feel good is my back. 3 hrs of throwing dirt hurts way worse than 3hrs being bent over the handlebars.
kioti
iMTB Rockstah
That looks fun!
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
Downed tree before and after...
scottay
Well-Known Member
I did some cleaning up of lines and burm type stuff. Waited too long, stuff was pretty dry and hard already.
Walked off the trail and behind some yuccas to stash my mcloed and damn near was face to face with a rattler!
He musta been cold, because he didnt even move, thank God!
.
Walked off the trail and behind some yuccas to stash my mcloed and damn near was face to face with a rattler!
He musta been cold, because he didnt even move, thank God!
.
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
Good going Scott, and nice rattler!
Rumpled
Well-Known Member
I actually did some land work today. Signed up for an IRC stewardship event on their new to be Waterworks trail.
It goes from Irvine Park to the Fremont Staging area. Parallels the road that is often used for MTB rides.
The leader says that once the trail is complete, it will be open daily - not just docent led like most of their trails. The trail is named for and goes by water works along Santiago Creek from ranching days.
Our work was weeding around new native plantings and watering them. Then, we spent the majority of our time removing non-native thistles and a few tobacco plants. Spent most of that time weilding a ditch blade.
It goes from Irvine Park to the Fremont Staging area. Parallels the road that is often used for MTB rides.
The leader says that once the trail is complete, it will be open daily - not just docent led like most of their trails. The trail is named for and goes by water works along Santiago Creek from ranching days.
Our work was weeding around new native plantings and watering them. Then, we spent the majority of our time removing non-native thistles and a few tobacco plants. Spent most of that time weilding a ditch blade.
Obsidian
iMTB Rockstah
Singletrack?
Rumpled
Well-Known Member
Kinda, but no.
It's basically a flat walking path to avoid a road. Probably 40-48 inches wide mostly. 2/3 of the length is a bed of concrete crushed to sand to gravel sizes.
The rest is currently sandy to soft dirt and will likely get the concrete treatment.
Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
Came home early from a Memorial Day camping trip, so might as well get some shoveling in! Trail is pretty good, so focused on clearing the baby Russian thistle, and filling in gopher holes. Three hours of fun!
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
It was time to do a walk through, armed with the appropriate weapon, on my local trail to give it a little love.
mountaingirl sara
iMTB Hooligan
Good man!
evdog
iMTB Rockstah
With rain right before the last two weekends it's time to dig!
Last weekend was the first trail day at Black Mtn San Diego to bring an unofficial trail into the system. Requires some re-routes, re-building, and rehabilitating an area that goes through a huge erosion scar.
This weekend we were building trail near Julian for San Diego River Park Foundation that will be part of the San Diego River Trail. Got permission to use the mini-excavator for this project. One crew cut down danger trees, the other cut new tread. The machine plus myself finishing tread got through just over 300ft of new trail.
Then went out yesterday to work on some of my own stuff. The entrance to this trail becomes a stream during heavy rain. Between that and lots of traffic it has eroded and the big rocks popping up made it unridable for most people. So I moved the stream over to the left side, built up a rock wall to keep it in place and filled in a bench above it. Then added some large rock to the entrance. It should still be challenging to ride up as there will be a couple steps and it's narrow. I had a bobcat for this job too but it wasn't very helpful.
Before
After
The help
Last weekend was the first trail day at Black Mtn San Diego to bring an unofficial trail into the system. Requires some re-routes, re-building, and rehabilitating an area that goes through a huge erosion scar.
This weekend we were building trail near Julian for San Diego River Park Foundation that will be part of the San Diego River Trail. Got permission to use the mini-excavator for this project. One crew cut down danger trees, the other cut new tread. The machine plus myself finishing tread got through just over 300ft of new trail.
Then went out yesterday to work on some of my own stuff. The entrance to this trail becomes a stream during heavy rain. Between that and lots of traffic it has eroded and the big rocks popping up made it unridable for most people. So I moved the stream over to the left side, built up a rock wall to keep it in place and filled in a bench above it. Then added some large rock to the entrance. It should still be challenging to ride up as there will be a couple steps and it's narrow. I had a bobcat for this job too but it wasn't very helpful.
Before
After
The help
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