7/1-7/8, 2026
SUMMARY
We started off our trip to Norwood Ranger District by resupplying the crew with safety equipment, camper supplies, propane, and other essentials. Wildfires have popped up recently all over the state and we need to take extra precautions while working in the woods. Packing fire extinguishers in while sawing will be standard operations until the Stage 2 fire ban is lifted.
Starting off, work focused on reopening the singletrack trail system around camp, including Red Canyon Trail, Paradox Trail, Gray's Creek Trail, Wilson Mesa Trail, and all connecting trail routes. The crew removed numerous downed trees, cleared debris, trimmed overgrown corridor, restored drainage, repaired several Carsonite trail signs, and rebuilt two heavily eroded switchbacks on Gray's Creek Trail using rock armoring, tread repair, and backslope improvements.
Coordination with local riders, WESTCORE and District Trails Manager John Hidy helped prioritize trail work and avoid duplicating trail work efforts. Trail users expressed appreciation for the improved trail conditions, and the agency trails manager complimented the crew's work, inviting us to return for additional projects later in the season. We enjoy working with land managers and motorized clubs to accomplish trail work. In it together!
WHY THIS WORK MATTERS
The Norwood Ranger District has some remote trails spread out across their Ranger District. It is hard to keep eyes on all the trails with few staff, so it’s important for TPA to help ensure that the trails get a maintenance tune up and that little problems are caught before they become big trail problems. WESTCORE has served as the eyes and ears for the Norwood Ranger District helping keep land managers informed on what’s happening on the ground. TPA and WESTCORE partnered up to prioritize what trail work was needed and where. They also worked together to plan the Red Canyon Reroute. WESTCORE plans to pursue a grant to build this reroute in upcoming years after the Forest Service has completed NEPA.
GOALS FOR NEXT HITCH
Next hitch: 7/15-7/22 Gunnison Ranger District
Goals:
Focused trail work will take place around Sargents Colorado. Specifically the TPA Crew will be working on the technical sections of the Canyon Creek Trail. The crew will also take a hard look at the South Quartz trail. There is a strong trail partnership in Sargents between a privately funded trail crew, the US Forest Service and TPA. Lots of time and money have gone into trail work around Sargents. Much of the recent trail work in Sargents has been supported by a local dedicated private individual who enjoys the trail system.
STATS
- Reporting Period: 7/1-7/8 (includes mobilization and demobilization days)
- RD/BLM: Norwood Ranger District
- Hours Drive time total: 17.5
- Trails worked:
- Hornet Trail #131, Parallel Trail #139, Powerline Trail #541, Red Canyon Trail #118, States Draw Road #549, Aspen Trail #125, Little Red Trail #117, Little Red Road #523, Roundabout Trail #120, Hanks Point Road #550, Buck Trail #149, East Fork Dry Creek Road #560, Spring Creek Trail #116, Paradox Trail #126, Paradox Road #535, Beaver Dams Road #524, Gray's Creek Trail #157, Wilson Mesa Trail #421, Elk Creek Road #645, Morningstar Trail #420
- Trail miles ridden: 143.7
- Trail miles maintained: 101
- Trees felled: 4
- Trees cut: 346
- Drainage cleared: 5
- New Drains built: 9
- Restoration feet: 35
- Reroute feet: 0
- Reconstruction feet: 80
- Debris removed feet: 2040
- Corridor cleared feet: 530
- Signage: 3
- Contacts made: 21
- Educational interactions: 18
- Volunteer hours: 0
- Total truck miles per hitch: 404
- Hitch point of Contact: John Hidy and WESTCORE