Other trail work opportunities
If you FBO can’t fill your need to grub about in the dirt, build trail and karma, here are some other programs that do trail construction around Flagstaff in the summer.
Close the Gap – Finish the AZ Trail
Join the the fourth and final season on the San Francisco Peaks passage to “Close the Gap.” Every volunteer is important in this cooperative effort of the Coconino National Forest, the Arizona Trail Association, Flagstaff Biking Organization, Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association, and many volunteers. Every volunteer can say, “I helped finish the Arizona Trail.” You can help carry out Dale Shewalter’s vision of a trail across Arizona. Whether you are a mountain biker, hiker, runner or equestrian, here are opportunities to give back to trails.
Be a part of this final effort, and plan to join the celebration too. So far “Close the Gap” events are scheduled May 21-22, June 4 (National Trails Day), and June 25-26. Stay tuned for announcements of the completion celebration.
More information on schedule, location and what to bring will be provided when you make your reservation. For reservations and questions for any of the “Close the Gap” events, contact Gay or Gary Hohner at sghohner@cox.net or 480-595-9303. More info: http://www.aztrail.org/calendar.html
Both the May 21-22 and June 25-26 “Close the Gap” weekends have a camping option Friday and Saturday evenings. You may work Saturday or Sunday or both. Saturday evening is always a fun social time and pot luck. June 4 is National Trails Day, and this promises to be a popular trail-building event to help “Close the Gap.”
These events owe their great success to the spirit of teamwork and to the many enthusiastic and loyal volunteers over the last three seasons. It is amazing how much fun you can have getting dirty. When you build, maintain or improve the AZ Trail, you not only help to build a lasting icon for Arizona, but camaraderie, new friends and a sense of accomplishment are fringe benefits. Thanks for the leadership by Arizona Trail Association trail stewards, and thanks again to all our old friends and new friends.
When AZ Trail Segments 34A and 34B between Schultz Pass and Aspen Corner are finished, you will be able to go from Shultz Pass to Utah on the Arizona National Scenic Trail. This will complete all of the “Gap” in the San Francisco Peaks passage, and it will also mark the completion of all the Arizona National Scenic Trail in the northern part of the State. Stay tuned for the celebration; updates posted at:aztrail.org Thanks to all the volunteers who help “Close the Gap – Finish the AZ Trail.”
Secret Trail Realignment with the Coconino Trail Riders
The Coconino Trail Riders (CTR) is a motorcycle club with a passion for singletrack trail riding. They began in the 1970’s as various iterations of loosely knit group(s) of riding buddies, but due to a constantly changing scene of forest use and users, they decided to re-invent CTR into a group of responsible trail and forest users.
Early in 2003 they began the process of forming a Not for Profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation and have achieved that status.
They are dedicated to the creation and preservation of motorized/multi-use singletrack trails and trail systems which are sustainable and harmonious with ecological, cultural and social concerns.
This year, as in past years, they will be having several Trail Days where they will be constructing and maintaining singletrack trails with the US Forest Service, primarily in the Fort Valley area.
Specifically, their primary focus will be to complete the re-route of “Secret Trail” to mitigate the disturbance of a known Spotted Owl nesting area, this being a goal of both the US Forest Service and the US Fish & Wildlife (USFWS).
CTR invites all who share their love of the Coconino National Forest and the Secret Trail system to join them for their Trail Days listed below.
Schedule for 2011:
It’s time again for our Trail Days to begin. I hope to see all of you “HOE in HAND” ans ready to build MOTORIZED SINGLE TRACK. We are almost done with the “SECRET”to “ROCKY MOTO”connector.
May 14 – Fort Valley
June 4 – National Trail Day (Non Motorized) But Fun!
June 11 – Fort Valley
July 23 – Fort Valley
August 20 – Fort Valley
September 17 – Pedals Vs Pistons Vs Horseshoes Vs Hiking Boots
October 9 – Fort Valley Weather Permitting
We all ride these trails, let’s all keep them looking good.
You can visit their website www.coconinotrailriders.org for details and staging locations or contact Keith Greenwalt at 928/853-7093 or kkgreenwalt@msn.com.
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