6/17-6/24, 2026
SUMMARY
The TPA Trail Crew began the hitch with travel and equipment preparation, gathering supplies and completing repairs to ensure both the bikes and camp equipment were ready for a productive week. New rotor guards were installed on all four motorcycles, additional protection was added to crew bikes, a radiator fan was installed, and a new saw rack was mounted. Camp improvements included replacing the camper’s propane regulator, which resolved a propane leak, and making temporary repairs to the bathroom vent (mission critical).
Field work began on the Jones Creek, Pinkerton-Flagstaff, and Dutch Creek trail systems. We encountered numerous downed trees, heavy debris, and extensive burn scar tread damage. Corridor clearing, down tree removal, and rock work were completed throughout the single track trail system. Work took place with temperatures approaching 90 degrees and strong winds developed, gusting up to 45 mph. Multiple hazard trees fell during the day, highlighting the dangers associated with working in recent burn scars. Despite challenging conditions and a front flat on one motorcycle, the crew got the trail work done safely and returned to camp to complete repairs and rest up.
The following day focused on Dutch Creek Trail where we continued corridor clearing, hazard tree removal, and tread repairs. Unsafe down tree trail hazards from narrow corridor cuts were widened, down trees cut out, significant crib wall repairs made and rock work was completed in several narrow, eroded locations. Calmer weather conditions allowed work to proceed more safely within the burn area.
A major accomplishment of the hitch occurred along 18.9 miles of Hermosa Creek Trail. Approximately 30 large to very large trees were removed from the trail corridor, many of which completely blocked the route on steep side slopes. In addition to removing fallen timber, we cleared debris, and restored trail width to single track specs throughout the trail system.
Additional work was completed on Mitchell Lakes Road, where several fallen trees were removed to reopen access for motorized users. Continued maintenance on the Pinkerton-Flagstaff and Jones Creek trails included hazard tree removal, corridor clearing, and cutting out dense aspen regrowth within the burn scar.
The TPA crew partnered with local Forest Service employee Isaac for multiple workdays. Together we focused on heavily overgrown sections of Jones Creek, Pinkerton-Flagstaff, and Dutch Creek trails. Using chainsaws and hand tools, our team removed dense aspen regrowth, cut numerous fallen trees, and reopened remote sections of trail that rarely receive trail work. The final push targeted a remote middle segment of Dutch Creek Trail where extensive burn-related tree fall and thick vegetation had severely impacted the corridor.
The hitch concluded with equipment maintenance, including bike servicing, air filter changes, oil changes, and repairs to camp equipment and fueling systems. The crew departed after breaking down camp, organizing equipment, and ordering supplies and maintenance items for upcoming hitches.
Throughout the hitch, the TPA Trail Crew restored access to critical trail sections, addressed hazards created by wildfire, and improved overall trail sustainability across the Hermosa Creek, Dutch Creek, Pinkerton-Flagstaff, and Jones Creek trail systems.
WHY THIS WORK MATTERS
The Columbine Ranger District has many miles of iconic single track within a fire scar. Wildfires cause severe erosion damage for many years, even decades after a fire. Land managers have a hard time accessing remote sections of trail which essentially require motorcycles to get on site efficiently. The TPA trail crew can safely get into hard to reach work sites, knock out the trail work and report back any major issues encountered which helps land managers keep trails open.
GOALS FOR NEXT HITCH
Next hitch: 7/1-7/8 Norwood Ranger District
Goals:
Evaluate the Red Canyon reroute and fine tune trail layout for NEPA. Work with Westcore (local OHV club) to plan reroutes for future grants. Partner with Westcore to focus TPA trail maintenance where it is most needed on US Forest Service lands. Report any major trail damage, hazards or other problems to the landmanager. Provide solutions to any trail issues encountered.
STATS
- Reporting Period: 6/17-6/24 (includes mobilization and demobilization days)
- RD/BLM: Columbine Ranger District
- Hours Drive time total: 19
- Trails worked:
- Jones Creek trail #518, Pinkerton-Flagstaff trail #522, Dutch Creek trail #516, Hermosa Park road #578 , FS 576, Mitchell lakes road #740, Hermosa Creek #514
- Trail miles ridden: 145.9
- Trail miles maintained: 57.7
- Trees felled: 5
- Trees cut: 618
- Drainage cleared: 2
- New Drains built: 3
- Restoration feet: 150
- Reroute feet: 0
- Reconstruction feet: 200
- Debris removed feet: 1755
- Corridor cleared feet: 7915
- Signage: 0
- Contacts made: 30
- Educational interactions: 20
- Volunteer hours: 0
- Total truck miles per hitch: 260