News

On December 8th & 9th Horse Mesa Ranch held a saddle fitting class. SRRTF Event Committee members Shelley Woellmer and Bonnie Miller attended this event and spread the word to help support the red rock trails by donating to SRRTF. With help from Joan Bouck reaching out to the equestrians unable to attend the event, the women were able to raise $2,300 from our local equestrian community.

The SRRTF would like to thank each of the following persons for generously supporting our red rock trails:

Mary Morris & Scott Kummerfeldt, Egon Hagemann, Chris & Sharon Hauge, Joan Bouck, Denise Jurgensen, Tanja Gunsberger, Bee Gordon, Art Bertolina, Shelley & Ralph Woellmer, Bonnie Miller, Betsy Lavine, Sue Dolin, Trish Dees, Brandy Miller, Barb Apple, Sue Dyer, Brenda Garrett, Diana Hagemenn-Milenkovitch, Marilyn Paul, Laurie Kunert, Kelsey Woellmer, Regina Dehr, Marilyn Sanders, Mary Schroeder, Mary J Wallen, Catey Maxey, Xandy Lifson, and Harriet Jack

Photo Courtesy of  Sedona Courtyard by Marriott

The Courtyard by Marriott in Sedona hosted the Annual Sedona Chamber of Commerce Holiday Mixer on December 6, 2018.  This year event added a philanthropic element to the event by supporting the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund.  Through its version of the infamous Wheel of Fortune Game, guests purchased ‘spins’ for $10 each at chance to win a great prize!  Partners have kindly donated restaurant certificates, spa certificates and a variety of gift prizes!  All proceeds from this activity go directly to the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund (SRRTF).  In addition, there will be a holiday photo set where guests pay to have a professional photo taken and those proceeds will also go to the SRRTF.

The event raised close to $600 for the SRRTF. Thank you Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau and Cheryl Barron and Christine McCabe or the Sedona Courtyard by Marriott!

All workdays will be based out of the Girdner/Cultural Park Trailhead. Directions: From the intersection of Routes 89A and 179, take 89A west 4.2 miles to Cultural Park Place (Courtyard Marriott is on your left at the traffic light). Turn right onto Cultural Park Place to the picnic ramadas and interpretive displays on the right.

What to bring:

Sturdy closed toe shoes

Long pants and work gloves

Sunscreen, water and snacks

Bike helmet or hard hat (the latter will be provided by the Forest Service)

All workdays are co-sponsored by the SRRTF & REI.

Workdays start at 8:30 AM and run to 12:30 PM

Here's the remaining schedule. REI will be at each workday with prize giveaways. SRRTF brings pizza and cookies for the après. And, rumor has it that Lagunitas Brewery's finest makes an appearance after each workday.

December 6th

December 15th

December 20th

January 10th

January 19th

January 31st

February 2nd

February 7th

February 21st

Last evening, approximately 250 celebrated the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock's 20th anniversary event. The event was an open-house "celebrating 20 years of light, warmth and hospitality."

SRRTF Board Member Paul Sullivan ran the SRRTF table at the lobby. Paul greeted every person in attendance who was waiting in line for the scavenger hunt and collected donations benefiting the SRRTF. While most donors placed cash in the collection cairn, the following individuals brought checks or charged their donation:

James Kaufman
Penelope Matthewson
Richard and Marilyn Paul
George and Pat Witteman
Spectrum Management Associates
Patricia Persons
Len And Olga Ostrom

In total, over $1,100 was raised last night. A huge thank you to the Sedona Hilton for inviting the SRRTF to participate and benefit.

The Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund (SRRTF) Board of Directors recently elected Stephanie Giesbrecht to its board of directors. Stephanie brings extensive local non-profit experience to the SRRTF board. Stephanie current serves as the Chair of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors having worked into that position via succession chain of Director, Secretary and Vice-Chair. Her other non-profit activities included directorships on the Rotary of Sedona Red Rocks and Sedona Airport Authority and as an advisor on the affiliate board of the Arizona Community Foundation. For the full press release, click here.

After several years of planning and fund raising, nearly 30 miles of new trail are on deck for construction thanks to collaboration of local and national partners. The Western Gateway trail project will add to the Red Rock non-motorized trail system, open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.

Western Gateway trails will be accessed from the Girdner Trailhead on Cultural Park Place north of the High School. These trails will offer loops and connectors of all challenge levels, set within the naturally diverse Dry Creek drainage. The trails offer shady riparian forest, stunning views of the Red Rock Wilderness and southern vistas to Jerome and Mingus Mountain. Part of the project is the substantially rerouted Girdner Trail, away from the flood prone stream-side. Trails will also be accessible from the Aerie Trailhead.

Ground broke today with the first of a series of twelve volunteer work days sponsored by the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund (SRRTF) and REI.

SRRTF contracted for 12 weeks of youth crew work by the Flagstaff based American Conservation Experience (ACE) beginning January 9, 2019. To be efficient, ACE crews are allowed by Forest Service (FS) to camp at the Girdner Trailhead. FS trail supervisor Forrest Saville stated that he is “committed to training and supervision of the contracted and volunteer trail crews to meet FS sustainable trail construction standards.”

Funding for Phase I of this project - over $100,000 - comes from many sources: a $40,800 grant from the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition, $25,000 grant from the National Forest Foundation; $5,000 grant from the Singletrack Futures Foundation, REI support for trail volunteer days and many individual donations. Kevin Adams, president of SRRTF, stated “have raised the funds for Phase I and have begun fundraising for Phase II's construction effort which begins in Fall 2019. We have secured Phase II Funding from The City of Sedona, Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau, and Enchantment Resort, however more funds will be needed to complete the entire ~30 mile system by 2021."

Planning for the Western Gateway Project began nearly 5 years ago as a response to growing trail use and a need to shift use from more crowded areas. Recent City of Sedona “community focus area” planning confirmed the use of the Girdner Trailhead location as an important and well used public space. There is strong recognition of the importance of our local trails as a main venue for forest access, their contribution to a healthy lifestyle and to our local tourism economy.

SRRTF continues to work with all interested partners to complete the project. Total project costs are estimated at over $300,000 excluding trailhead improvements. SRRTF project leader Jennifer Burns emphasized how important donations from local trail users are to the success of our local trail construction projects and annual maintenance. For more information on the Western Gateway Project and to donate to help fund the project, please go to www.redrocktrailfund.org.

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.