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
Enthusiasm and teamwork produce good results. Last season the San Francisco Peaks passage of the Arizona Trail was completed northward to Kelly Tank (FR 514), and work also began on the other end of the Gap (Segments 34A and B between Schultz Pass and Aspen Corner). This season continues the effort to close this last gap of the Trail in northern Arizona. Check out the schedule below, and make plans to join our enthusiastic volunteers. You can help carry out Dale Shewalter’s vision of a trail across Arizona.
Flagstaff area Trail Stewards for the Arizona Trail will lead four “Close the Gap” weekends this season. 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, Flagstaff Hiking Club and other groups. Every volunteer can say, “I helped finish the Arizona Trail.” When this last piece of the “Gap” is completed, the AZ Trail will provide access from Flagstaff to the Snowbowl area and beyond to Utah.
“Close the Gap” weekends have a camping option Friday and Saturday night. You may work Saturday or Sunday or both. There is often a pot luck social time on Saturday evening. More information on schedule, location and what to bring will be provided when you make your reservation. For reservations and questions on any of the “Close the Gap” weekends, please contact Gay or Gary Hohner at sghohner@cox.net or 480-595-9303. More info: http://www.aztrail.org/calendar.html
May 22-23: Andrea and David Michaels, Gay and Gary Hohner. Reservations and information: Gay or Gary at sghohner@cox.net or 480-595-9303
June 26-27: Bruce Belman and Gary Hohner. Reservations and information: Gay or Gary at sghohner@cox.net or 480-595-9303
July 31-August 1: Anthony Quintile, Flagstaff Biking Organization and Neil Weintraub, Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association. Reservations and information: Anthony at trails@flagstaffbiking.org or 928-526-7704
August 28-29: Chambo and Beverly Chambers. Reservations and information: Chambo at pazdog@mac.com or 575-405-0053
Photo reports from past events: http://www.aztrail.org/reports/event_reports.html
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.
Saturday, May 5th, new construction of “New West Secret Trail”
Saturday, June 19th, new construction of “New West Secret Trail”
Saturday, July 24th, new construction of “New West Secret Trail”
Saturday, August 14th, new construction of “New West Secret Trail”
Saturday, September 11th, Pedal vs. Pistons vs. Horseshoes vs. Hiking Boots, new construction of “New West Secret Trail”
Saturday, October 2nd, new construction of “New West Secret Trail”
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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