The Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is currently adding a few trails into its amazing trail system and making them 'official'. These are trails that already exist in one form or another through repeated use or renegade construction.

I am currently tasked with identifying the problem areas and finding solutions to make these trails more sustainable. For example, I reroute trails in soils identified as having severe erosion limitations or on slopes too steep/flat. Other spots I look for may have a trail down the fall line of the hill. One of the most interesting observations I have made is just how much the history of the trail can tell me about its sustainability. A trail developed through use without any planning is going to be obvious in layout and erosion problems whereas as a trail built by a skilled trail worker will be very different. It will have grade reversals and a nice flowing path instead of straight linear, boring features.

But one of the greatest challenges that I will have to deal with is keeping the current users and even builders happy with any changes. It will not easy to do and will require a good understanding of the trail and its character; how it was built, who uses it, and why is it unique. If I flatten every steep section with a longer reroute it will dramatically change the challenge and the speed a mountain biker may experience. My plan is to hopefully keep these users involved as in the planning and construction so that there may be greater understanding all around. It is always a balance with land management and I simply need to look at many of the other trails on the district that at one time in our districts history were made official. These trails just have too many unsustainable sections to keep up with the maintenance given our budget and they should have never been added in their current layout.

So my goal in this project is to find a routing for these new trails that is sustainable while retaining its original character. Here is a little flow chart which describes my decision process. Wish me luck! Read more about the Sedona Trails Study project.



Trails Currently on My List:
Mescal Trail
Chuck Wagon Trail
Slim Shady Trail
Made in the Shade Trail
Easy Breezy Trail
Lost Watch Trail
Snake Trail
Anaconda Trail
Various short connector trails

Contact me at jwpoehnelt @ fs . fed. us if you are interested. We will be cutting new trail, moving big rocks and getting some Sedona trails into the Forest Service system. Projects starting in October(when its cool). Check back for more information but feel free to contact me at anytime!

Doing trail work allows me to be in some of the most beautiful places. Sedona, AZ where I currently work was just featured as one of the most beautiful places in the United States.

Where have you done trail work?

I replaced some old rock check steps with some more bike friendly rock structures with the Friends of the Forest today. These pictures are always difficult to judge. Big Park Loop trail is a beginner loop and these structures keep it simple but fun.

This week I will be meeting with the botanist and a local user to help identify the layout for nearly five miles of new trail near Cottonwood, AZ. It is one of the proposed trails for the Coconino National Forest. I'll be bringing my clinometer, trimble, and a whole bunch of marking supplies! Yes the Forest Service allows the creation of new trails if you are willing to put in the effort and have the patience to get it done.

On Friday I spent my day constructing a boulder causeway for a short reroute of the Broken Arrow Trail in Sedona. We are building this little rock structure to one, make a nice feature, and two create a hardened tread where it might otherwise erode. Here are a few photos and I'll add some more of the final product.

Today I did some recon on the Airport Loop Trail in Sedona after some feedback from the Fat Tire Festival this past weekend. It was a nice little hike and the trail isn't too heavily used. There is a fun portion of the trail on slickrock with a fairly steep sideslope. I definitely found a few spots that could use some work and here are a couple of them...

Trail work brings me to some of the most beautiful places and gives me an amazing opportunity to experience nature. I currently work in Sedona and have views like this...


And wildflowers like this...

Coconino National Forest - Project Planning Page - Map of Proposed Sedona System Trails

The additions under consideration are described below. All trails would be: non-motorized, located outside of Wilderness, and in popular visitor use areas. Two maps are attached.

1. Soldiers Wash: Provide trails within the Soldiers Wash area that would link to area trailheads and to Highway 89A. Many non-system trails exist in this area. Map area A.

2. Trail to connect Girdner Trail, near the west end of FR152, with the Long Canyon Trailhead. A non-system trail currently exists aka Lost Watch Trail. Map area C.

3. Trail to connect Girdner Trail, near east end of FR152, with the Brins Mesa Trailhead outside of Wilderness. A non-system trail currently exists aka Chuckwagon Trail. Map area C.

4. Trail to connect Boynton Canyon Trailhead with Long Canyon Trailhead and OK Trailhead. A non-system trail currently exists aka Mescal Mountain Trail.Map area D.

5. Trail in the Dry Creek area to provide a connection between the Arizona Cypress Trail and the Girdner Trail.Non-system trails currently exist aka Anaconda Trail and Snake Trail.Map area E.

6. Trails that link the Village of Oak Creek with the Sedona area and with the new Highway turnout on the west side of State Route 179, opposite the Bell Rock Pathway. Nonsystem trails currently exist aka Slim Shady and Made in the Shade trails. Map area F.

7. Trail that connects the Baldwin Trail with the new Yavapai Point parking area on State Route 179. A non-system trail currently exists aka Highline Trail. Map area G.

8. Turkey Creek area trails: Provide several loops in this area. Numerous non-system trails currently exist in this area. Map area H.

9. Trail that links the Cathedral Trailhead with the Templeton Trail.A non-system trail currently exists aka Easybreezy Trail. Map area I.
10. Trail to connect the High School (Sheurmann Mountain Trailhead) with the Carrol Canyon Trail system. A non-system trail currently exists aka High School Trail. Map area J.

11. Extend Templeton Trail: Provide a short section of trail to extend the Templeton Trail all the way to Red Rock Crossing on south side of Oak Creek. A non-system trail currently exists. Map area K.

12. Trail to link Mystic Trail with Broken Arrow Trail.A non-system trail currently exists aka Hog Heaven Trail. Map area M.

13. Trail to loop around rock formations west of Schnebly Hill Road, connecting Cow Pies with Old Munds Wagon Trail. A non-system trail currently exists aka Hangover Trail. Map area N.

14. Dead Horse Trail System additions:Provide loop trails to augment trails such as Thumper and Raptor, located on Forest land and accessed primarily from Dead Horse Ranch State Park near Cottonwood. Refer to Map 2.

15. Trail links to Courthouse Butte Loop from Jacks Canyon Road and Trailhead aka Rabbit Ears Trail. Map area O.

16. Provide a connection between Lower Red Rock Loop Road and Scheurman Mountain Trail. A non-system trail currently exists. Map area P.

17. Dry Creek Road Trailhead: Provide a trailhead at the southern end of FR152, close to the junction with paved Boynton Pass Road.Provide a parking area for scenic viewing and trail access in a high visitor use area and reduce roadside parking issues.An informal parking area currently exists.

18. Verde Valley School Road Trailhead: Provide a trailhead on National Forest land adjacent to Verde Valley School Road.This trailhead would provide access to an expanded trail system in the Turkey Creek area, and create additional trail access and opportunities close to Village of Oak Creek.

The trails being considered in no way sanctions the unauthorized construction of trails by individuals or groups. No person should infer from this proposal that future unauthorized trails will be considered for adoption. If you have a specific idea for a new trail, please contact the Red Rock Ranger District.

I recently worked with a CREC crew to install some armoring on the Huckaby Trail in Sedona. This project spot is located where Huckaby Trail heads up the hill from Oak Creek. This armoring style is called stone pitching. Simply explained, the rocks are placed on end and tightly fitted. All holes are filled with small rock crush.