Page 11 - summer 2019

10 Friends oF red rock canyon Friends oF red rock canyon 11

Article and Photos by Tom Lisby

About the Author
Tom began volunteering at Red
ith at least 100 miles of approved als needed for the project. Cowboy Trail Rides mule’s pack saddle has a large bag on either side buckets are then lined up on either side of the Rock Canyon in 2013. He is cur-
W trails, three million visitors a year, and provides the mules, pack saddles and buckets. that will be used to carry the gravel. They then path that the horses and mules will use to ap- rently a member of the Board of
the impact of weather-caused erosion, trail main- Backcountry Horsemen provide the wranglers ride from the parking lot to proach the gravel site. When the Directors for Friends and has also
tenance is a never ending process at Red Rock and horses used to “string” the mules for the the trail work site. riders arrive at the gravel loca- served as President of the Friends
Canyon National Conservation Area. Constant project. tion they ride between the lined Board. Tom leads interpretative
exposure to hikers, horses and the weather can While the riders and mules up buckets and stop when their hikes at Red Rock Canyon for the
leave deep ruts and exposed The gravel used for fill is either are on their way, Friends vol- mules are even with the row. BLM on most Sunday mornings
rock along the trail, causing, dumped along the Scenic Loop unteers meet at the trailhead Two volunteers, one on each
at best, an uncomfortable Drive or we will use gravel from and split into two groups. side of the mule, will simulta-
hiking experience. Repair- a nearby dry wash, if available. One group will spread out the neously dump one bucket at a
Volunteers dedicated to the preservation of Red Rock Canyon
ing these trails often requires Occasionally, for trails with heavy gravel delivered by the mules time into the pack saddle bags.
filling in the damaged areas wear, Friends volunteers will fill in the damaged areas. This Each mule can carry about
with rock and gravel. Get- in deep depressions in the trail group will hike the trail to the 280 pounds of gravel in one
ting these materials to the with large rocks the day before the site carrying their tools. The trip. The riders and mules then
needed locations can be quite scheduled gravel haul. second group will gather at proceed to the trail work site
challenging. In most cases, the gravel location and begin where the bottom of the pack
it is impossible for any type On the morning of the project, filling buckets with gravel. Each mule can safely carry 280 pounds - or saddle bags are opened and the
of motorized vehicle to reach Cowboy Trail Rides staff and Each bucket can hold about 35 8 buckets of gravel - per trip. One person gravel is dumped out much like
would have trouble carrying two buckets to
these badly impacted areas. volunteers outfit the mules with pounds of gravel. The filled the worksite. a dump truck. Once they dump
We have found combining their pack the gravel the volunteers begin throughout the hiking season and
“old school” methods along saddles and to spread it out on the trail and the riders and also volunteers at the information
with teamwork is the best trailer them mules return for another load. desk in the Visitor Center. Tom is
way to get the job done. Two volunteers simultaneously fill the side for their trip a member of the Friends Natural
bags with buckets of gravel.
to the Scenic On our last work project there were nine Resources and Cultural Resources
The Bureau of Land Man- Loop Drive mules that made five trips each (280 x 9 Teams. He is an instructor for the
agement’s (BLM) Natural Resources Ranger, exit parking area where they = 2,520 lbs.) (2,520 x 5 = 12,600 lbs.) We “Trails of Red Rock Canyon” and
Friends of Red Rock Canyon (Friends) Natural will deploy for their day’s were able to move and place more than six “Burros of Red Rock Canyon”
classes that are available, along
Resources Team, the Bristlecone Chapter of Ne- work. The Backcountry tons and all within four hours! The team- with many other classes, for our
vada Backcountry Horsemen and Cowboy Trail Horsemen riders will meet work for these projects is incredible to see volunteers twice a year. When Tom
Rides all “partner up” for these trail maintenance them at the parking lot with and even more incredible to be part of. is not at Red Rock Canyon, he and
events. The BLM Ranger, Joe Kotecki, and their personal mounts. Each Thanks to all involved! his wife Laura enjoy ice skating
Friends Natural Resource Team Leader, Wyatt rider will have one or more when they are not too busy spoiling
Mulvey, prioritize the trail location and materi- mules following them. Each We are making a difference at Red Rock their three grandchildren.
Canyon National Conservation Area!

the Rock - Volume 9 Issue 4 Summer 2019