Trail Projects – Page 31 – Sagebrush Trails

Segment 86 October 2022

Finally I return to my adopted section of the Continental Divide Trail for a 2-day backpack, starting at the northern terminus near Surprise Tank. The surprise is that Google Maps knows where this is. Clearing rabbitbush and some grass from the tread makes the trail more visible on this lower section. Later I clean some drains and saw or drag several trees which have fallen across the trail.

Camp is about 5 miles in. The cattle trough past dry Erman Well is now turned off, so I was low on water and did not hike the entire 11 mile segment, but turned around at dry Rincon Well.

Cave Creek Trail 2022

13 NMVFO volunteers camped at Panchuela Admin Area (next to Panchuela Campground, used by USFS staff) for a long weekend of trail work in the Pecos Wilderness. The first night got down to 26F, and the second to 23F.

On Friday 2 sawing teams, one with a 2-person crosscut and the other with a 1-person crosscut saw, worked their way up Cave Creek Trail. The second day the teams switched saws, and a lopping team was added. The saw teams completed Cave Creek and cleared 0.6 miles on Skyline, interrupted by a noon shower. From camp to our furthest work and back was about 12 miles, so we got plenty of exercise.

Borrego and Bear Wallow 2022

13 NMVFO Volunteers gathered in the Santa Fe National Forest just beyond Hyde State Park to celebrate National Public Lands Day by working on trail for NMVFO.

These are popular trails, and the parking areas at trailheads in this region are often full. Borrego and Bear Wallow, along with Winsor, form a 2-mile loop, well-used by dogs and their humans from Santa Fe.

I took a team lopping on Bear Wallow, and Catlin and Larry led the rest widening tread on Borrego Trail.