News

2017/2018 Accomplishments

• 248 miles of system trails maintained.
  
• 6 miles of new trails constructed.
  
• 12 trail improvement projects including reroutes and heavy maintenance including rock armoring, major tread repair, rock stairs and retaining walls constructed including Hangover, Templeton, Cathedral, Llama, Easy Breezy, and Baldwin.
  
• 428 trail drainage structures maintained and 47 new drain structures installed for sustainable water drainage during rain events in monsoon season.
  
• 81 signs installed or replaced. These are vital for an enjoyable experience and to reduce search and rescue.
  
• Over 40 Public Volunteer Trail Work events accumulating over 1,800 hours of service to trail maintenance and construction
  
• Over 500 Volunteer Trail Patrols completed for a total of almost 4,000 volunteer hours assisting all trail users.

The Red Rock Ranger District has hired the largest seasonal trail crew in its history this year. Six men and one woman make of this year's crew. Adam Barnett reports that five of the crew are primarily funded by the SRRTF.

SRRTF President Kevin Adams and Vice President Dan Blaettler met with Representative Tom O'Halleran and Chip Davis, Deputy District Director for Representative O'Halleran to brief them on the SRRTF's activities. Rep. O'Halleran's congressional district, 1st Arizona, is larger than 36 States and he just finished a 14 day district tour. Representative O'Halleran serves on the House Agricultural Committee and he discussed upcoming committee actions that should have a positive impact with the Forest Service. Representative O'Halleran also committed to helping with any letters of support the SRRTF may need on grant opportunities.

he Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund (SRRTF) is pleased to announce it has received a $25,000 Matching Awards Program (MAP) Grant from the National Forest Foundation (NFF).  The grant will pay for new trail construction west of Sedona, a project called the Western Gateway Watershed and Trail Enhancement Project (Project). Specifically this Project will construct non-motorized multi-use trail, adopt user-created trails, reroute system trails and perform restoration actions in an area located just west of the Sedona city limits and north of State Route 89A, known as the Western Gateway.

Chartered by Congress, the NFF works to enhance our nation’s Forests and Grasslands. NFF’s MAP Grants provide funding for projects that enhance forest health and outdoor experiences. “The SRRTF brought together a broad spectrum of partners with this grant opportunity” said Jennifer Burns, SRRTF MAP Grant Project Manager. “In addition to the NFF, our Project partners include REI Co-op, the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition (VVCC), American Conservation Experience (ACE), and the Red Rock Ranger District (RRRD) of the Coconino National Forest” Burns added.

The Project will sponsor 12 volunteer trail workdays, starting this November and continuing through the Spring 2019. “REI is excited to support the trail workdays, provide some giveaways/refreshments, and help build broader community trail involvement” stated Justin Ingles REI Flagstaff Outdoor Programs & Outreach Coordinator.

~$41,000 in matching funds were raised by the VVCC, making the Project total ~$66,000. “When we put the call out for donations, mountain bikers from 18 States and as far away as Alberta, Canada responded” stated VVCC President Marty Glinsky. “Our fundraising success boosted the amount of work that will get done with this MAP Grant” added Glinsky.

The Project will also hire and train youth crews. “Two ACE youth crews will begin construction in January 2019” stated Forrest Saville RRRD OHV and Trails Coordinator. “The RRRD will be directing these two ACE crews that are staffed by 18-25 year olds who are considering land management as a career path” added Saville. “We are thrilled to be part of this Project” stated Jordan Rolfe, Director of ACE Southwest.

“Project construction is scheduled to take up to three years including the trailhead improvements” stated Adam Barnett, RRRD Recreation Program Manager. “Community support is essential to its completion.” added Barnett. Ultimately the Project, supported by the USFS and City of Sedona, will construct over 27 miles of non-motorized trail, accessible from the area previously known as the “cultural park”. According to the SRRTF’s President Kevin Adams, “We are now working on raising funds for the 2019-2020 Project season. Donations can be made online or through the mail to P.O. Box 4475 Sedona, AZ 86340.” A renovated trailhead is planned, but currently unfunded. 

The Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund (SRRTF) Board of Directors elected Kevin Adams as the Fund’s new President. Kevin will replace Jennifer Burns who is stepping down after two years as President while continuing on the Board. Kevin is a retired Marine, Fortune 500 and Non-Profit executive who brings 40+ years of experience to the SRRTF and is currently the Treasurer of the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition.

“I am excited to raise funds for our great redrock trail system” said Kevin Adams. “I look forward to working with Jennifer, the SRRTF board and the community to support our trails and trail users.” Adams added.

“The SRRTF helps the US Forest Service to fund annual trail maintenance; and with local businesses and the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau to raise funds. In addition, the SRRTF applies for grant funds through other partners and government entities” stated Jennifer Burns, outgoing SRRTF President. “Kevin has the essential ingredients to be president: experience and knowledge to do the job and passion for our trail system” Burns added.

The SRRTF is a 501c3 not for profit organization whose mission is to raise funds to pay for trail maintenance and enhancement on National Forest lands near Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek. These trails receive over 1.7 million trail uses annually, being some of the most popular trails in the national forest system. They require maintenance to keep them safe, enjoyable and environmentally compatible. Federal funds are not sufficient. It is the mission of the SRRTF to help close the funding gap. The SRRTF board of directors includes local hikers, cyclists, runners and equestrians who work with the Red Rock Ranger District to provide trail maintenance funding. Since inception, the Fund has donated over $300,000 for trail maintenance and enhancements. For information see www.redrocktrailfund.org

Over 1,000 mountain bikers from all over the United States and Canada descended on Sedona this past weekend to 'shred the red'. The Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund (SRRTF) was there raising $s to support the trails. Raffle prizes were donated by:

Amara Resort
The Hudson
Hermosa Bike Tour
Over the Edge Sports
Sedona Outdoors
REI
Sedona Real Inn
Sound Bites Grill
Enchantment Resort
Pink Jeep Tours
Sedona Day Spa
Hike HoPoco Diablo
Javalina Cantina
Diva Hillside Boutique
Red Agave
Bike & Bean bike rental
Miley's Restaurant
Hilton
Shadow Rock Grille

Additionally, Giant Bicycles raffled two mountain bikes and donated the proceeds to the SRRTF.

The Festival raffle raised over $5,300 for trail maintenance!

Thank you Mike Raney, Giant Bicycles and all who attended the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival.

North Sedona Trail System Renovation and Enhancement. The Red Rock Ranger District identified the trail system running from Soldiers Pass Trailhead to Dry Creek Road as a high priority for reconstruction, renovation, and rehabilitation. The trail system includes the Teacup, Andante, Thunder Mountain, Chimney Rock, and Sugarloaf Trails which all contained highly eroded sections of trail on sandy and steep portions of the historic trail alignments. Major sustainable realignments were recently completed, including:

Total Trail Maintained - 6.9 miles

New Trail Constructed – 1.6 miles

Total Trail Naturalized – 1.5 miles

Rock Steps Installed – 65 steps

Rock Armoring Built- 250 feet

Signs Installed – 8

Volunteer Labor – 500 hours

View final report (Feb 2018)

2016/2017 Accomplishments

• 180 miles of system trails maintained.
• 4.6 miles of new trail and reroutes constructed including: on Andante, Thunder Mountain, Teacup, Crusty, and Oak trails.
• 5.7 miles of trail improvements including reroutes and heavy maintenance including rock armoring, major tread repair, rock stairs and retaining walls constructed.
• 540 trail drainage structures maintained and 47 new drain structures installed for sustainable water drainage during rain events in monsoon season.
• 83 signs and 53 posts or directional arrows installed or replaced. These are vital for an enjoyable experience and to reduce search and rescue.
• 19 Public Volunteer Trail Work events accumulating over 1,540 hours of service to trail maintenance and construction.
• 163 Volunteer Trail Patrols completed for a total of 543 volunteer hours and 7 medical assists, 27 lost visitors assisted, and over 350 visitors contacted. 

2015/2016 Accomplishments

• 140 miles of maintenance done by USFS crew (does not include maintenance done by volunteers)
• 5.6 miles of new trail constructed (Skywalker, Over Easy, Manzanita, Scorpion, Pyramid in Sedona area)
• 1.9 miles of reroutes/heavy maintenance (retaining walls, major tread work, etc.) completed.

Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) 2 person crew for 12 weeks helping with maintenance on trails near Sedona.

Forest Service coordinated more than 70 volunteer trail work events for trail work in the Sedona area and had over 800 volunteers come out to help throughout the season. This adds up to over 4000 volunteer hours. All with a perfect safety record and smiles at the end of the season!

USFS 2016 crew funded in part by SRRTF