6/3-6/10, 2026
SUMMARY
The TPA trail crew headed out for Upper Gold Camp road to stage for the Pikes Peak hitch. After setting up camp, the crew performed maintenance on the bikes, including coolant top-offs, radiator guard installation, oil changes, air filters and general maintenance tasks. The next morning they set off to scout and clear Captain Jack’s Trail. Several downed trees were removed and volunteer project work areas were identified.
Work then focused heavily on Nelson’s Trail #672, where our crew completed extensive corridor clearing, installed numerous drains, repaired tread damage, and armored steep technical sections with heavy rocks to improve overall trail sustainability. Nearly the entire western side of the trail was cleared of debris.
June 6th was National Trails Day, so to celebrate the weekend, two volunteer trail work events brought together US Forest Service staff, Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates, CMTRA (Colorado Motorcycle Trail Riders Association), and other local volunteers to tackle major two separate trail improvement projects. Volunteers assisted with tread repair, rock armoring, berm construction, drain installation, stump removal, and corridor clearing while also receiving instruction on proper drain construction and safe grip hoist operation techniques.
One of the most arduous projects of the hitch involved hauling rock tools and winching equipment to the upper sections of Nelson’s Trail to repair a heavily damaged section of the tread. The TPA trail crew installed drainage features, removed a stump with a come-along, rebuilt the inslope tread, and reinforced a switchback corner with approximately 1,000 pounds of rock armoring to create a more durable and sustainable trail line. Hazard trees and down trees were cleared from the eastern side of the trail, and a worn out switchback area was identified for future repair work. An abandoned vehicle discovered on Mt. Rosa Road #381 was also reported to land managers.
Later in the hitch, TPA’s Scott Lee joined the crew to document work being completed throughout the trail system. The TPA team spent the day improving corridor and removing hazard trees along Foresters Trail #701 with three saws operating throughout the entire day. The hitch concluded with final assessments of the Pipeline Trail and documenting June 5th storm damage for Pikes Peak Ranger District before returning to camp for equipment maintenance, bike servicing, and parts ordering ahead of the next hitch.
WHY THIS WORK MATTERS
The Pikes Peak Ranger District sits along Colorado’s Front Range and supports an enormous volume of trail users who rely on this beautiful trail system for recreation. Heavy use creates an equally large need for ongoing trail maintenance, and the TPA Trail Crew helps expand what the district can accomplish by partnering with local stakeholders and volunteer groups.
Two highly successful volunteer work parties highlighted this hitch. The Colorado Motorcycle Trail Riders Association hosted a work party on June 6, while Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates hosted another on June 7. Both events completed substantial trail work while strengthening long-standing partnerships between local trail advocates and the United States Forest Service.
Working together over National Trails Day weekend, the Pikes Peak Ranger District, the TPA trail crew, and these dedicated volunteer organizations accomplished meaningful improvements across the trail system while continuing to build strong community stewardship for public lands.
GOALS FOR NEXT HITCH
Next hitch: 6/17-6/24 Columbine Ranger District
Goals: The TPA Crew will maintain trails around the Hermosa Creek area north of Durango Colorado. They will focus on Dutch Creek, Hermosa Creek, Jones and Pinkerton-Flagstaff trails. These fire scar single track trails need whole sections of tread rebenched, retaining structures installed, rolling grade dips and drains built or repaired. Much of the trail work will take place within a fire scar, so lots of cutting and dirt work are guaranteed!
STATS
- Hitch Number: 7
- Reporting Period: 6/3- 6/10 (includes mobilization and demobilization days)
- RD/BLM: Pikes Peak Ranger District
- Hours Drive time total: 16
- Trails worked:
- Gold camp #370, Seven Lakes Road #376, Frosty Park Road #379, Foresters trail #701, Captain Jack's #667, Elk camp road #379C, Almagre road #379.A, Nelson's trail #672, Eagle Rock road #370.C, Saran wrap road #370.D, Pipeline Trail #668, High drive trail, Captain Jack's #665, Mount Rosa road #381, Frosty shortcut trail #626
- Trail miles ridden: 215.3
- Trail miles maintained: 52
- Trees felled: 44
- Trees cut: 149
- Drainage cleared: 27
- New Drains built: 25
- Restoration feet: 70
- Reroute feet: 0
- Reconstruction feet: 320
- Debris removed feet: 7420
- Corridor cleared feet: 13115
- Signage: 2
- Contacts made: 237
- Educational interactions: 161
- Volunteer hours: 108
- Total truck miles per hitch: 210
- Hitch point of Contact: Jake Ellsworth USFS