The first USFS trail renovation project of the year was successfully completed on January 13th, aided by sunny skies and empowered by a skilled trail crew and many community collaborators. One of Sedona’s most popular trails, Soldiers Pass suffered from critical damage from overuse and erosion from weather.
Before the work commenced, USFS crew members received a week of specialized training by Flagline Trails, made possible through funding from the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund (SRRTF). This training program was initiated last year to great effect and appreciation by the crew members.
Kevin Kuhl, USFS trails/wilderness/OHV coordinator for the Red Rock Ranger District, explained that a key to completing this project quickly was “help from volunteers who helped scout the location and provide different perspectives. They contributed intimate knowledge of the user’s experience and the changing conditions of our dynamic ecosystem. This helped us bridge the gap between effective trail management and maintenance, and a creating a great experience for multiple types of recreational users”.
The 6-week renovation project involved installation and repair of new and existing rock structures, construction of drainage systems, rehabilitation of social trails, installation of new fencing, and restoring of areas adjacent to the system trail.
In addition to the USFS crew, American Conservation Experience (ACE) crews, Sedona Friends of the Forest and ad hoc community volunteers played important roles in the accomplishment. Funding for the project included approximately $51,000 from the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund, which collects donations from individual donors, business supporters and grantor to support the maintenance and enhancement of the non-motorized trails in the Sedona and Village of Oak Creek area.
Trail Fund Board Expands to TwelveMembers In February the organization elected Tracy Randall to join its 12-member board. Tracy and her husband Jim are avid mountain bikers. They met on the trails and moved to Sedona full-time in 2020 to enjoy the incredible trail system. She spends much of her free time on the trails either riding her Shadowcat or helping the Red Rock trail crew with trail maintenance.
Tracy has spent most of her career with startups in the consumer Internet space and has utilized her background to assist the Verde Valley Cyclist Coalition in growing and strengthening its membership base and mission.
“We are grateful to have Tracy join our board as she brings valuable experience with the Red Rock Ranger District and the challenges of trail stewardship”, noted President Kevin Adams. “Her leadership success with other non-profits will be of tremendous value as we work to strengthen the trail fund to a level that can support the trails in perpetuity.”
In fiscal year 2023 (ended September 30, 2023), the SRRTF raised $656,000 towards the maintenance and enhancement of the Sedona Red Rock Trails. The SRRTF is a 501c3 non-profit organization and an official partner of the USFS Red Rock Ranger District. Learn more about the organization at RedRockTrailFund.org.
Photo caption: The wash at the top of West Soldiers Pass staircase, before and after. This 6-week project was accomplished by the USFS trail crew with support from ACE crew, Sedona Friends of the Forest, local volunteers and funding from the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund.
