Recreational Trails Program |
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In 2017, CASA received a Recreational Trails Grant from the Arizona State Parks to help pay for trail work on Mt. Lemmon! CASA is partnering with the Arizona Trail Association and the U.S Forest Service to help maintain 21 miles of systems trails used by all types of outdoor enthusiasts.
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Project Updates
September 1st, 2017
We have had a very successful second quarter of 2017.
Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) crews completed maintenance work on the Incinerator Ridge, Aspen, Marshal Gulch, Meadow, and a small section of the Lemmon Trail during the month of May. Work was primarily vegetation removal, crosscutting fallen logs, and installing Carsonite trail signs. Hands on supervision and close coordination with the Catalina Ranger District Forest Service helped to maximize the effectiveness and productivity of the crews on this project.
On June 3 we had 44 volunteers come to our Adopt a Crag volunteer event. With this incredible turnout our hardworking volunteers completed a massive amount of work on the Aspen Trail, repairing eroded tread, restoring damaged areas, and improving the trail.
Production numbers:
Volunteer event: (Aspen Trail)
9 erosion control check steps
5 lapped rock steps
7 drains
80 feet of tread re-established
0.25 miles of trail brushed
3,850 sqft of impacted soil restored
AZCC Crew:
Aspen Trail
2.6 Miles of trail brushed (medium to very heavy)
18 Drains constructed
20 Logs crosscut
1 Root ball hole filled
20Feet of tread repaired
8 Carsonite signs installed
Marshal Gulch Trail
1.2Miles of trail brushed (light)
20 Square feet of social trail closed and restored
7 Carsonite signs installed
Incinerator Ridge Trail
1.5 Miles of trail brushed (light-medium)
4 Logs crosscut
4 Drains built
2 Cairns built
60 Feet of spur/social trail closed
30 Feet of new tread built (re-route)
8 Carsonite signs installed
Meadow and #5(Lemmon) Trail
9 Drains built
150 Feet of new tread built (re-route)
729 Square feet of impacted area closed and restored
20 Feet of tread repaired
4 Carsonite signs installed
Other Carsonite signs installed
Bug Springs 4
Bellota 9
April 12th, 2017
CASA's Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant is off to a great start. Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) crews recently worked on Finger Rock, Arizona, and Bug Springs trails.
This project benefits all trail users, and it secures CASA's place as a recognized user group and valuable Forest Service Partner.
This work is more than just about fixing our local trails. It's an incredibly successful collaboration between local users, youth, and land managers working together to benefit the community and the land we recreate on.
In the words of one of the crew members involved:
“The past three weeks of working on the Finger Rock Trail for CASA and the Forest Service have been, in the least cliché way, an honor and a privilege. Being the first people to put in serious work on the trail for almost 30 years was above what my expectations ever were for this job. I've been working for about 9 or 10 years of my life, and none of those jobs ever taught me as much or gave me so pride as working on this trail.” - Michael, AZCC Crew Member
Production numbers:
Finger Rock Trail:
Miles of Trail brushed (50% heavy brush) 1.6
Miles of tread improved (removed loose rock, hazards etc) 1.6
Check steps built 29
Drains built 15
Pinch points opened 28
Feet of tread repaired/re-benched 415
Feet of trail rerouted around boulder pinch point 35
Feet of spur trail closed and restored 435
Feet of rocky trail opened and improved 25
Check steps reinforced 2
Cairns built 1
Stacked steps (switchback corner) 8
Feet of existing trail outsloped 200
Feet of retaining wall 8
Bellota Trail:
Rubber water bars removed (average distance water bar carried =1 miles) 55
Drains constructed 42
check steps reinforced 4
Mile of light brushing 1
Bug Springs Trail:
Feet of trail re-benched (mostly in solid rock) 220
Feet of shortcut spur trail closed 80
Drains built 3
Drains cleaned 2
Check steps reinforced 4
Square feet of retaining wall 10
AZ Trail to Sycamore Reservoir:
Miles of trail brushed 0.55
Check steps built 21
Terrace steps built 13
Check steps repaired 6
Drains built 6
Drains repaired/cleaned 8
Feet of new tread built 110
Feet of repaired tread 60
Rip Rap installed (square feet) 190
Square feet of old trail restored (transplanting, etc) 1600
Carsonite signs installed 14
We have had a very successful second quarter of 2017.
Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) crews completed maintenance work on the Incinerator Ridge, Aspen, Marshal Gulch, Meadow, and a small section of the Lemmon Trail during the month of May. Work was primarily vegetation removal, crosscutting fallen logs, and installing Carsonite trail signs. Hands on supervision and close coordination with the Catalina Ranger District Forest Service helped to maximize the effectiveness and productivity of the crews on this project.
On June 3 we had 44 volunteers come to our Adopt a Crag volunteer event. With this incredible turnout our hardworking volunteers completed a massive amount of work on the Aspen Trail, repairing eroded tread, restoring damaged areas, and improving the trail.
Production numbers:
Volunteer event: (Aspen Trail)
9 erosion control check steps
5 lapped rock steps
7 drains
80 feet of tread re-established
0.25 miles of trail brushed
3,850 sqft of impacted soil restored
AZCC Crew:
Aspen Trail
2.6 Miles of trail brushed (medium to very heavy)
18 Drains constructed
20 Logs crosscut
1 Root ball hole filled
20Feet of tread repaired
8 Carsonite signs installed
Marshal Gulch Trail
1.2Miles of trail brushed (light)
20 Square feet of social trail closed and restored
7 Carsonite signs installed
Incinerator Ridge Trail
1.5 Miles of trail brushed (light-medium)
4 Logs crosscut
4 Drains built
2 Cairns built
60 Feet of spur/social trail closed
30 Feet of new tread built (re-route)
8 Carsonite signs installed
Meadow and #5(Lemmon) Trail
9 Drains built
150 Feet of new tread built (re-route)
729 Square feet of impacted area closed and restored
20 Feet of tread repaired
4 Carsonite signs installed
Other Carsonite signs installed
Bug Springs 4
Bellota 9
April 12th, 2017
CASA's Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant is off to a great start. Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) crews recently worked on Finger Rock, Arizona, and Bug Springs trails.
This project benefits all trail users, and it secures CASA's place as a recognized user group and valuable Forest Service Partner.
This work is more than just about fixing our local trails. It's an incredibly successful collaboration between local users, youth, and land managers working together to benefit the community and the land we recreate on.
In the words of one of the crew members involved:
“The past three weeks of working on the Finger Rock Trail for CASA and the Forest Service have been, in the least cliché way, an honor and a privilege. Being the first people to put in serious work on the trail for almost 30 years was above what my expectations ever were for this job. I've been working for about 9 or 10 years of my life, and none of those jobs ever taught me as much or gave me so pride as working on this trail.” - Michael, AZCC Crew Member
Production numbers:
Finger Rock Trail:
Miles of Trail brushed (50% heavy brush) 1.6
Miles of tread improved (removed loose rock, hazards etc) 1.6
Check steps built 29
Drains built 15
Pinch points opened 28
Feet of tread repaired/re-benched 415
Feet of trail rerouted around boulder pinch point 35
Feet of spur trail closed and restored 435
Feet of rocky trail opened and improved 25
Check steps reinforced 2
Cairns built 1
Stacked steps (switchback corner) 8
Feet of existing trail outsloped 200
Feet of retaining wall 8
Bellota Trail:
Rubber water bars removed (average distance water bar carried =1 miles) 55
Drains constructed 42
check steps reinforced 4
Mile of light brushing 1
Bug Springs Trail:
Feet of trail re-benched (mostly in solid rock) 220
Feet of shortcut spur trail closed 80
Drains built 3
Drains cleaned 2
Check steps reinforced 4
Square feet of retaining wall 10
AZ Trail to Sycamore Reservoir:
Miles of trail brushed 0.55
Check steps built 21
Terrace steps built 13
Check steps repaired 6
Drains built 6
Drains repaired/cleaned 8
Feet of new tread built 110
Feet of repaired tread 60
Rip Rap installed (square feet) 190
Square feet of old trail restored (transplanting, etc) 1600
Carsonite signs installed 14
Some before and after photos:
Click for larger view
Click for larger view
The Grant
CASA received a Recreational Trails Grant from the Arizona State Parks to help pay for trail work on Mt. Lemmon! The grant will be used in the Santa Catalina Ranger District on 21 miles of established trails. CASA will be partnering with the Arizona Conservation Corps, the Forest Service, and the Arizona Trail Association to perform maintenance work on trails that access climbing areas in the Catalinas. The work will also benefit all other users of these trails including mountain bikers, equestrians, and hikers.
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Additionally, the grant will be used to provide workshops for volunteers from all user groups to help create a larger base of skilled volunteers. The $73,000 grant monies will be used to pay for Conservation Corps trail crews, program coordination, signs, educational materials and other project expenses
This work will be executed over approximately the next 12 to 18 months. There is currently a publicly listed Request For Proposal (RFP) to execute and implement the work. |
Pika Consulting
Pika Consulting is a trusted and experienced trail design and construction firm that has been in operation for over nine years. Pika Consulting provides cost-effective and professional trail design, layout, project management, volunteer coordination, program design, training, and construction supervision and has completed other projects comparable to the CASA RTP grant-funded project.
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Pika Consulting is owned by Eric Ruljancich, CASA's Stewardship Coordinator. In his role as Stewardship Coordinator, Eric has organized and run all of CASA's Adopt-a-Crag events, collaborating with the Access Fund, Arizona Trail Association, Arizona Wilderness Coalition, and Forest Service. As administrator for the RTP grant, Eric and Pika Consulting are bringing a wealth of experience to the job, but are also donating thousands of dollars worth of free professional services to make sure that CASA is getting the best value for our money.
Pika Consulting's willingness to do this work for far below the market rate is a huge benefit to CASA and to the greater climbing community. Non-profits often rely on the generosity of their supporters and volunteers to get more bang for their buck. If you see Eric, consider thanking him for offering to work for so little! |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will this work be on climber trails?
Work will be on systems trails in the Forest Service inventory that are at least partially used by climbers as access to climbing areas.
Why not spend the money on climber-specific trails?
CASA is dedicated to mitigating climber impact. Ideally, we would like to work directly on climbing access routes and belay areas, but that goal is difficult to achieve because of Federal Forest Service regulations. The next best thing we can do is take care of established systems trails that climbers use to access climbing areas. Think of it like buying carbon credits to offset your carbon footprint. We’re going to mitigate erosion and improve trails that are already approved by the Forest Service and that are used by a large number of groups, including climbers.
How much is this costing CASA?
Virtually nothing. This grant was written with volunteer time and much of the work to oversee it is being donated. 100% of money spent will be from the State Parks Recreational Trails Program grant. CASA’s is providing some volunteer skills and hours to help spread the grant money even further, and our insurance cost only increases slightly!
Why doesn’t the Forest Service do this work?
Each agency/group may receive only one grant per year up to $80K. The Coronado Forest Service has also received a comparable grant that they are using to work on additional trails in the Catalina Mountains. Essentially, CASA is helping our local Forest Service by bringing in resources beyond what they can access. With CASA’s help, our Catalina Mountains get double the benefit.
Do we still get to have Adopt a Crags?
Absolutely. CASA is committed to hosting several Adopt a Crags per year where climbers work directly on climbing access routes.
Work will be on systems trails in the Forest Service inventory that are at least partially used by climbers as access to climbing areas.
Why not spend the money on climber-specific trails?
CASA is dedicated to mitigating climber impact. Ideally, we would like to work directly on climbing access routes and belay areas, but that goal is difficult to achieve because of Federal Forest Service regulations. The next best thing we can do is take care of established systems trails that climbers use to access climbing areas. Think of it like buying carbon credits to offset your carbon footprint. We’re going to mitigate erosion and improve trails that are already approved by the Forest Service and that are used by a large number of groups, including climbers.
How much is this costing CASA?
Virtually nothing. This grant was written with volunteer time and much of the work to oversee it is being donated. 100% of money spent will be from the State Parks Recreational Trails Program grant. CASA’s is providing some volunteer skills and hours to help spread the grant money even further, and our insurance cost only increases slightly!
Why doesn’t the Forest Service do this work?
Each agency/group may receive only one grant per year up to $80K. The Coronado Forest Service has also received a comparable grant that they are using to work on additional trails in the Catalina Mountains. Essentially, CASA is helping our local Forest Service by bringing in resources beyond what they can access. With CASA’s help, our Catalina Mountains get double the benefit.
Do we still get to have Adopt a Crags?
Absolutely. CASA is committed to hosting several Adopt a Crags per year where climbers work directly on climbing access routes.
