Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund hosted Veterans on Saturday, November 11th for a special volunteer work day focused on the Soldier Pass trails. Over 50 workers, including Sedona area Veterans, USFS personnel, Friends of the Forest Sedona, Sedona Westerners Hiking Club, Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition volunteers, and SRRTF staff participated. Assignments included cleaning drains, moving rocks, and closing off social trails near the trailhead. This work will help facilitate the larger Soldier Pass trail system project which is expected to require $50,767 in cash resources to complete. Click here to contribute to that fund.
Following the morning work session, there was special picnic at Posse Grounds. In the spirit of honoring local veterans for their service, and to all the volunteers for helping to preserve the trails, the City of Sedona provided three ramadas.
This event marked the official start of a planned year-long series of events marking the organization’s 10th year of support to Red Rock trails.
Food was provided by Thunder Mountain Bikes, with James and Bri Goodwin serving as grill masters with burgers, hot dogs and all the fixings. The Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition provided pizza and Trail Lovers: Sedona Hiking and MTB Guides provided beverages. A raffle had fabulous prizes from Danner Boots, Canyon Outfitters, Thunder Mountain Bikes and Hike House. Setting the mood for the party, the band Slide Rock, featuring Chris Malek and Winston Norrish, graciously donated the musical entertainment.
The beautiful weather only added to the enjoyment of all.
At the commencement of the work day, Richard Zahner, retired Lieutenant General U.S. Army, addressed the volunteers with words of appreciation for their contribution to public lands and for service to country.
Photo above: The USFS seasonal crew with a Veterans’ tribute cake to recognize our local vets who pitched in for the trail work.
Photo below: Amidst the backdrop of Thunder Mountain, the participants of the Salute to Veterans Soldier Pass Work Day gather at the end of their project.
