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Trail Steward,
2017 is coming to a close and as I have reviewed it, I have been impressed at what we have accomplished together through the Adopt-A-Trail Program! We produced strong numbers and stats this past year, and when combined with all the photos of your hard work, it's downright inspiring. Because of you, our trails are tip-top and our forest is healthier and happier. You are the doer- literally shaping our valley and helping produce it's trails-focused culture. We have received a lot of positive feedback on the work you have performed. Here's a snapshot of our accomplishments for 2017:
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Adopt-A-Trail
The Adopt-A-Trail program is growing strong,
thanks to you
! Since its transition from an all-volunteer run program to a professionally run program, we have seen a 66% increase in volunteer adopters and a 144% increase in financial adopters. Of the 62 sections of trail available for adoption, currently 80% have received volunteer adopters and 39% have received financial adopters. Unfortunately, we were unable to capture the data for number of laughs, high fives, or good times- but you know those are off the charts! Nothing beats digging in the dirt! Adopt-A-Trail 2017 by the figures:
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39 Trail work events.
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Engaged 813 volunteers.
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Volunteers provided a total of 3,345 trail work hours.
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Over 53 miles of trail maintained.
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Approximately 1 mile of "new" trail constructed (Cabin 89 realignments and Going Green Connector)
Click here for more information on how to get involved!
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New Trails Plans
The introduction of the Trails Coordinator position has allowed the Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation to address additional needs within the valley, specifically, the deficit of interconnected trails in the Big Bear Valley. Following research and meetings with all trail stakeholders in the valley, a New Trails Plan has been created. It was open to the public for comment during two open houses at the Big Bear Discovery center where approximately 120 people reviewed and commented. This undertaking will make our non-motorized trail system more socially sustainable by connecting neighborhoods and communities by trail, as well as developing more purpose-built trails to satisfy increasing and evolving user demand. This plan has been positively received by the San Bernardino Forest Service. We are currently exploring funding opportunities for this project.
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Realignment on the
South Shore
In 2013 the Southern California Mountains Foundation was awarded a Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant through the state of California that allows us to Big Bear's system trails on the South Shore up to a sustainable standard through proper redesigns and reconstruction. Working in lockstep, SCMF and BBVTF have done a great deal of work under this grant. But in 2017, this work looked a little different than the past. Cabin 89 received two major realignments. The first occurred on National Trails Day where 90+ volunteers built a technical realignment and another. The second, I had the good fortune of getting in the Trails Foundation's mini-excavator to perform the rough cut, with volunteers following behind, dialing in the final product. The result is Cabin 89 v2.0: a rowdy, bidirectional trail that retains the character of the Cabin 89 Trail we know and love.The significance of this? The SCMF/BBVTF Partnership is in the professional trail making business, poised and ready to implement the New Trails Plan...
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New Signs in the South Shore
The South Shore is developing! The Forest Service granted SCMF a special sign variance for new signs, and we've started in the popular South Shore. They can now be seen in the ground, marking your location, guiding you through the forest, and improving everyone's recreational experience. Oh, and they give us the ability to more properly and formally recognize adopters on the South Shore.
A big shout out to Big Bear Mountain Resort staff and SCMF Corpsmembers who installed 44 Secondary Directional signs with accompanying posts.
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More Effective Trail Work
The Adopt-A-Trail Program has turnied pro. We've purchased an enclosed trailer that is being outfitted with all the trail work necessities. We'll have more tools and better tools: motorized wheelbarrows for proper rock work, radios for more effective communication in the forest, new Rogue Hoes and so on. Want to do trail work on your own, or lead your own group? Get with me to learn how.
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Trail Bosses
We're constantly getting better, and a key missed opportunity identified in the past year is the need for quick, immediate trail work to keep trails open. Tree down on the trail? Heavy rain washed out the trail? By the time adopt-a-trail groups can mobilize, often the damage is already done. Enter: Trail Bosses. With an individual volunteer agreement in their pocket, Trail Bosses will be our special unit. They'll also be good eyes and ears for reporting conditions. Rumor has it mountain bike hall-of-famer Pat Follett will be the first official Trail Boss.
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Realignments
Cabin 89 received this treatment in 2017, now there are a few more trails that need a proper realignment or reconstruction to be brought up to standard. Trails on the list are Plantation, Seven Oaks, Dickies, Pine Knot. Have an opinion on any or all of these? Let me know.
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Trail Reporting Streamlined, Made Simple
A dedicated trail lover who also happens to be an engineer at ESRI approached us with an idea: let's make reporting trail conditions easier and more effective. Naturally we liked it and have been helping him develop it. It's in the final stages of beta testing and will be live and ready to go early 2018. Reporting poor trail conditions has never been easier. Simply snap a photo from a smartphone and send it off- that's it.
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More Signage
The Forest Service has allowed us to install our new signs throughout the valley, and we intend on doing just that... in time. Trails like Hanna Flats and Grays Peak are set to be properly signed by late 2018.
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It has been an absolute blast working alongside each one of you out on the trails this past year. I cannot thank you enough for the support you have given me, and our board members, as I jumped into this newly created position. 2017 is one for the books! Here's to you and your hard work this past year, and here's to an even better 2018!
Bennett Rossell
Non-Motorized Trails Coordinator
Adopt-A-Trail Program
Southern California Mountains Foundation
trails@mountainsfoundation.org
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Southern California Mountains Foundation | Adopt-A-Trial
trails@mountainsfoundation.org| www.mountainsfoundation.org
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