Left to right: Nancy Hazel – Flagstaff Biking Organization, Joe Hazel – Flagstaff Biking Organization, Makenzie Mabery – Arizona Trail Gear Girls, Anthony Quintile – Flagstaff Biking Organization, Aaron Seifert – Arizona Trail Association, Palmer Nackard – Nackard Pepsi, Joe Pozar – Joy Cone, Rob Lockey – Flagstaff Trail Faeries, Leslie Gilmore – Joy Cone, Patrick McGervey – Flagstaff Ranger District CNF, Matt Roberts – Flagline Trails, Nick Kowall – Flagstaff Ranger District CNF, Matt McGrath – Flagstaff Ranger District CNF
Construction wrapped up mid-December on a realignment of Lower Oldham Trail, which is part of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, from Buffalo Park. As part of the Mount Elden Dry Lake Hills Recreation Plan, (MEDL), Flagstaff Biking Organization hired Flagline Trails, a trail contractor based in Flagstaff to construct a 48″ wide, aggregate surfaced pathway from Buffalo Park to connect with the Forest Service Trail System. This has replaced the old alignment which was unsustainable and out of character with the Buffalo Park Flagstaff Urban Trails’ more “front-country” experience.
Half of the project funding was provided by Nackard Pepsi and Joy Cone. Flagstaff Biking Organization is matching the second half of the approximately $91,000 project from its Trail Fund which has been supported by individual contributions and Trail Program Sponsors.
The project was executed in partnership with the Coconino National Forest Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD). The District Recreation crew provided onsite management and confirmed clearances with various stakeholders. The FRD Trail Crew assisted with hand work on several occasions as well.
The Flagstaff Trail Faeries volunteered several days to help with hand work and spreading tread material.
The City of Flagstaff’s Parks Recreation Open Spaces and Events, (PROSE), were helpful in permitting access through Buffalo Park and generally coordinating on the project.
“We are super grateful to our sponsors, Joy Cone and Nackard Pepsi, for stepping up to fund the lion’s share of the cost of this project,” commented Anthony Quintile with Flagstaff Biking Organization. “Flagstaff Biking has long relied upon local business support to help us in our mission to promote bicycling as a safe and attractive means of transportation and recreation in Northern Arizona. We’re happy to live in a place where recreation generally, and bicycling specifically, is so highly valued.”
“The realignment will provide a fantastic opportunity for Flagstaff recreators to better connect with the Coconino National Forest from Buffalo Park,” said District Ranger Matt McGrath.
This coming spring Flagline Trails will follow up with scarification the old tread and a bit of after-winter tuning, and the Arizona Trail Association is slated to host a volunteer event to finalize the naturalization of the old trail corridor.
Please email trails@flagstaffbiking.org and/or patrick.mcgervey@usda.gov with the Flagstaff Ranger District with any questions.
For a full gallery of images of this project, please click here.
