This project is an immediate need to improve a section of trail on the National Register of Historic Places within the Tahoe National Forest trail system along the Western States trail. It is a very special area that has major cultural and heritage resources, threatened and endangered species, natural resources, native plant communities, and most of all human life and safety that each and all need further protection and improvements in order to be a sustainable NFS trail. The USFS initial estimate to complete the work in the El Dorado canyon is more than $200,000. This grant funding will help us achieve a completed project that is much safer for users and will help to maintain the trail.
Partners for the proposed project include Western States Trail Foundation, Western States Endurance Run, USFS. Grant funds will be used to maintain the trail without altering the overall character of the trail. Work will consist of limited trail tread widening to restore the trail width to 18"-30" where possible under specific direction and coordination with Tahoe National Forest staff. Work will consist of pulling back the hinge, hazard tree work, drainage feature installation and maintenance, trail creep prevention by performing aggressive handwork, chiseling, compacting, and quarrying rock for placement along the critical edge, rock wall placement and tread armoring. No mechanized trail equipment is authorized for use due to this trail being a part of a historical section of trail. The critical edge leads to a 2000' drop off into El Dorado canyon. In some instances the trail is 12" wide or less which is of significant concern for trail users on foot, equine or bike (motorized and non-motorized). Traditional trail specification within this section is 18"-24" wide with a NTE 30" width. The work proposed in this application is anticipated to be completed in late 2023 through the Spring of 2024, dependent on contracted crew and volunteer availability and BAER hazard tree mitigation. An estimated 6 weeks of work is necessary to complete the project as proposed. Two annual endurance events which take place on the trail are held in June and July. In order to accommodate these events, the work will ideally be completed prior to June 2024 to maximize public awareness and recognition of the significant safety enhancements completed to the trail.
2024: Highline Trail
2024: Teton Trails Deferred Maintenance
2024: Phase 2 of the Arroyo Hondo Project
2024: Greenhorn Gulch Trail Reroute and Bridge Rebuild
2024: Trail Rehabilitation in Beaverhead Deer Lodge National Forest
2024: Trail Maintenance and Repairs in Pisgah National Forest
2024: Wasatch National Forest Deferred Maintenance and Weather Resilience
2024: Rio Fernando de Taos Watershed Revival
2024: Mineral Creek Trail Reroute
2024: Second Fork Trail Project
2024: Trinity River Watershed Trail Improvement Project
2024: Salmon-Challis National Forest Trail Restoration
2024: Manistee, White, Muskegon, and Pere Marquette River Watershed
2024: Mount Shavano Trail and Riparian Habitat Restoration Project
2024: South Park Ranger District Singletrack Connector Trail
2024: Oak Creek Canyon Watershed Restoration Project
2024: Bartram National Recreation Trail Maintenance
2024: Idaho Panhandle National Forest Sandpoint Ranger District Trail Reroute
2024: Pony Express National Historic Trail Improvement
2024: South Lake and Moss Lake Trail Restoration
2024: West Ridge Trail #176 Improvements
2024: Blue Bend Loop Trail Restoration
2024: Catamount Trail Improvement
2024: Munson Meadow Trail Restoration
2024: Vesuvius Recreation Area Trail System Restoration
2024: Hurricane Creek Trail Restoration
2024: Cove Creek Trail Rehabilitation
2023: The Storm Creek Connector Trail
2023: Backpacker and Lakeshore Trails
2023: Beaver Meadows Trail
2023: Munson Meadow Trail
2023: Imnaha River Trail
2023: Maxon Meadows Trail to Chamberlain Meadows Camp
2023: Lost Lake Trail
2023: Virginia Highlands Horse Trail
2023: Pasayten Wilderness Project
2023: Catawba River Headwaters
2023: Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
2023: Southfork Trail, White Mountain Wilderness
2023: Black Canyon and Trail Creek Drainages
2023: Twenty Lakes Basin Toads and Trails
2023: Dickey Bell Trail Reroute and Bypass
2023: Horseshoe Canyon Trails
2023: Lower San Francisco River Wilderness Study Area
2023: Trails in Ontonagon and Sturgeon watersheds
2023: Bandit Springs Trail System
2023: Caton Lake Trail
2023: Yellowbelly Trail
2023: Santa Cruz Trail
2023: Bridge Replacement for Trail Access
2023: Pioneer Mountains Trail Maintenance
2023: North Country National Scenic Trail Connections
2023: Pincushion Mountain Ski Trails
2023: Rocky Gap Horse Trail System
2023: Shrode Lake Trail
2023: Johnson Creek Trail Re-Establishment
2023: Soda Ditch Loop Trail
2023: Restoration of Buckhorn and Indian Trails
2023: Hauf Lake and One Horse Lakes Trails
2023: Building Resilience on the TRT/PCT
2023: Camp Creek Watershed Improvement
2023: Pomas Creek Trail and Entiat River Trail
2023: Western States Trail & Tevis Cup Trail, within Granite Chief Wilderness
2023: Sipsey Wilderness Trails Restoration
204 views • posted 05/25/2023
