Page 7 - The Black Range Naturalist Vol. 4, No. 3

work is needed at specific sections. I join other experienced trail people to provide oversight and perform trail work. No trail experience is necessary to join a trail project. Trail maintenance skills and safety trainings are a part of each trail project. Volunteers are encouraged to work at their own pace and focus on the trail skills they enjoy. Some of my “before and after” photos of trail maintenance are shown on the previous page and to the right. The emphasis is on quality over quantity. For example, if we brush a trail, it is done so that we don’t need to return for several years. We brush to the Forest Service standard of 6 ft (or generally arms outstretched). This allows pack animals, which are wider than hikers or equine riders, to travel the trail without getting caught on the brush or branches.
The trail projects vary in the time required. Some, close to Silver City, are only one day. More remote projects can be 6 or 7 days long. Sometimes it takes an entire day to hike into the base camp in remote parts of the Gila Wilderness. (Base camp photo by Richard Boren, to the right.)
A majority of the bigger volunteer trail projects are conducted during February to May and late August to November. The goal is to run a lot of trail projects during the optimal months while generally avoiding June through August. June gets quite hot; some water sources dry up and the dry lightning starts. In July and August there is the hazard of lightning and heavy rains – not very conducive to trail work.
Accomplishment - Spring 2021
Between February and May of this year, Gila BCH has significantly improved over 70 miles of trail, removed over 1000 logs, performed extensive brushing, and more. This was accomplished by over 5000 volunteer hours.
During this period, our work in the Black Range included: Railroad Canyon # 128, Gallinas Canyon # 129, and East Railroad # 130. (See map at this link.) The Forest Service will be continuing to work in that area, making more improvements on the Gallinas Canyon Trail and reopening the Crest Trail, connecting all 3 trails, hopefully in October. This will open up the loop options in this area.
During this time, Gila BCH also provided their yearly Forest Service approved chainsaw and crosscut 3-day training. These trainings are required for those who want to chainsaw or supervise the use of the crosscut. (Photo by Richard Boren, to the right.)
After the Trail Project
Reopening a trail does little good if no one knows the trail has been improved and is passable. In fact, having people hike on a trail after reopening it
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