This award recognizes an individual that has made outstanding contributions and provided consistent support for trail planning, development, or maintenance. It is intended to recognize the efforts of a private or public sector individual working for enhanced trail recreation on either the local, state, or national level.
Adam has diligence, work ethic, and the ability to teach others trail construction and maintenance using his skills and experience.
In 2011, Adam Stoldal was serving as AmeriCorps crew supervisor position for the Utah Conservation Corps (UCC). Adam’s main project for the 2011 season was to supervise UCC crews constructing a two mile segment of singletrack within Providence Canyon, an area just outside the city limits of Providence, UT in Cache County. The stretch of trail that the UCC was constructing was located on Utah Division of Wildlife Resources property that adjoins an existing trail further up canyon in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and the regional Bonneville Shoreline Trail at the mouth of the canyon. Funding for the project was secured through the City of Providence through a local recreation, arts, parks, and zoo bond.
Adam worked closely with senior UCC staff in flagging the route and became the chief architect of the trail once construction started. Adam guided UCC crews in constructing two sets of switchbacks, one set of climbing turns, and several rock walls within this narrow, steep-sided canyon. Not only was Adam a diligent trail worker in completing much chain-sawing of trees within the trail corridor, moving rock, and digging tread, but he also was a patient and effective mentor to many UCC crew members under his supervision. More importantly, he ensured the safety of all crew members completing the project in rugged, challenging terrain.
Adam led the completion of the project by constructing a 20 foot bridge over a fast-moving stream. As with all other technical challenges of this project, Adam used the construction of the bridge as a hands-on learning experience for multiple crew members. Even a year after the trail’s completion, UCC staff routinely are pulled aside by trail users, especially hikers and bikers, and complimented on how enjoyable the Providence Canyon trail is. Adam was instrumental in starting this public interface by greeting trail users during construction and informing them of the progress of the non-motorized trail through the heavily traveled canyon.
Adam has since been promoted from a seasonal AmeriCorps crew supervisor to a staff position as a crew coordinator for the UCC and continues to use his trail design and construction skills while completing projects with UCC crews across the state. Adam continues to be a mentor to UCC crew members and while passing on valuable technical trail construction and maintenance skills to crew members that will be tomorrow’s land managers and public servants. I fully endorse this nomination of Adam Stoldal for the Trail Worker Award for his diligence, work ethic, and ability to teach others trail construction and maintenance using his skills and experience.
558 views • posted 01/16/2018
