28 miles of trail rebuilt, 10 miles of new trail constructed since May, 2000

2007 Trail Projects

In Partnership with

Los Alamos County

Espaņola Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest

Los Alamos National Security, Inc.

Upcoming Volunteer Work Parties

Saturday, October 27, 2007, 8:30 AM to Noon, Hidden Canyon Trail Repair

Over the past three years, the Volunteer Task Force has worked with the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Trails Advisory Working Group (TAWG) to foster and agreement with LANL and LANS to permit volunteers to do trail maintenance on the many trails on LANL property that connect the community to the laboratory or trails that have long been used for recreation on lands on the periphery of the lab. After a long and painful process, an institutional agreement was signed by LANS and VTF to permit the much-needed work to be accomplished.

As a kickoff project, the TAWG has selected the Hidden Canyon Trail near Trinity Drive. The historic trail connects Los Alamos with the laboratory via the trail and the Deadmans Trail across Los Alamos Canyon. Stormwater drainage from Trinity Drive is eroding the trail and it needs stabilization.

Join this historic work party--it could be the start of a very important relationship for the trail users in the community. Meet at the NNSA/DOE Headquarters Building at 8:30 AM on Saturday, October 27. Bring plenty of water, a snack, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, and long pants. Tools will be provided.

Saturday, October 27, 2007, 1 to 4 PM, Tent Rocks Trail Improvements

Everyone wants to get their trail work in before the ground freezes, so we have two work parties the same day. Los Alamos County is developing a fireline in Pueblo Canyon into a trail--that way the fireline stays maintained. The first quarter mile was completed by the YMCA YES Corps in August. Dan West, Eagle Scout candidate and former YES Corps member, has taken on the next stretch. The trail will offer a mile-long singletrack loop segment on the south wall of Pueblo Canyon. Fire crews are systematically reducing fuel loads in this area with maintenance burning operations. The two activities are complementary.

Meet at the parking area the highway yard at the White Rock/Los Alamos interchange on New Mexico Highway 502 at 1 PM on Saturday, October 27. Bring plenty of water, a snack, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, and long pants. Tools will be provided. Work will conclude at 4 PM.

GUAJE RIDGE VOLUNTEER TRAIL WORK PARTIES, 2005-2007

Before the Cerro Grande Fire, the Guaje Ridge Trail was a popular route for hikers, mountain riders, and runners. Almost the entire length of the 5-mile trail was in the severe burn area. Post-fire erosion damaged steep sections of the trail, hazard trees were everywhere, and after 5 years, the trail was an obstacle course.

Thanks to the USFS Espanola Ranger District Trail Crew and the Santa Fe Hot Shots for hauling saws up to Guaje Ridge and taking out more than 1,000 downed trees that had fallen across the trail between Pipeline Road and the Upper Guaje Road out of the cemetery.

The trail needed tread improvements, water control, and brushing. A total of 66 volunteers worked on the trail in 2006 and 2007.

 


WATER CANYON AND CANON DE VALLE TRAILS, FALL 2005

Other popular trails, the Water Canyon and Canon de Valle Trails, have been cleared of most downed trees by an anonymous worker or workers. The Canon de Valle Trail is in excellent shape and can be traveled on a mountain bike. Water Canyon remains a hiking route, but is relatively free of obstructions. It needs some ground work, but approval by the Forest Service will be required.

 

 

 
The Guaje Ridge Trail needs a bit of tread work. On the flats west of the Cemetery Road, September 2005..
The Guaje Ridge Trail--can you find it? Watch out for the New Mexico locusts, November 2005.
The view along the trail is considerably more open than it was in 1999.
   
 

Contact VTF at cmartin@losalamos.com if you would like to be on the mailing list for trail work parties.