New Trails in the Works in New Mexico

Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Visits Albuquerque and Gallup

Albuquerque Visit Volunteers listen attentively as Mark explains the history and safe use of trailbuilding tools.
The reroute consisted of a lot of full bench construction. To learn more about this trailbuilding technique, go to IMBA's Resources section.
Thinking about drainage, Jim Sattler, the open space ranger for Elena Gallegos Park, shows participants how to stabilize a portion of the trail using rock.
Taking a break, trailbuilders enjoy a tasty sub lunch, provided by the Intermountain Conservation Trust.
While the rest of the group was busy moving dirt, Lora taught clinics on trail layout and design.
Gallup Visit Attila Bality of RTCA and Charles Koehler of Gallup Trails 2010 pose beside the Gallup Trails 2010 Partnership Agreement. The agreement outlines the common vision of government entities, special interest groups, and private sector organizations to achieve a comprehensive, shared-use trail system.
Volunteers take a break to show off their bomb-proof armored crossing.
Using the project as an opportunity to give a goose a proper burial, IMBA Trailbuilding School participants affectionately named this "Dead Goose Switchback."
While some volunteers were busy building a rolling crown switchback, others bench-cut the trail leading up to it.
Found in the high deserts of the Colorado Plateau, cryptobiotic soils are extremely sensitive to human impact. Mountain bikers should always stay on the trail to avoid disturbing these living organisms.

Crew Helps Expand Trail Network in Albuquerque

Early March was a working Spring Break for Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew ambassadors Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner. After two weeks of ice and rain on their travels, the Crew was excited to see the sun in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Crew's visit was part of IMBA's memorandum of understanding with the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program (RTCA). This program is designed to assist community groups and local and state governments conserve rivers, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways.

Together with representatives from Albuquerque Open Space and the U.S. Forest Service, IMBA Trailbuilding School participants helped construct a 500-foot reroute at Elena Gallegos Open Space Park.

"As a result of the trailbuilding workshop, the East Mountain Open Space Stewards now have the knowledge and ability to assess trail conditions on open space properties and can help create a regional trails park," said Attila Bality, Outdoor Recreation Planner for RTCA. "People are energized--we've already had two more trailbuilding workdays since the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew's visit."

To read more about the Bernallilo County East Mountain Open Space RTCA project, go to: http://www.nps.gov/rtca/whatwedo/projects/02pr-nm.html#2.

Special thanks to Erik Zsemlye of Albuquerque Open Space for providing the photos for this write-up.

Showing Locals the Ropes in Gallup

The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew's visit to Gallup, New Mexico began with an outstanding welcome from Mayor Bob Rosebrough, who declared March 13 "International Mountain Bicycling Association Day." Following this great kick-off, Mark and Lora presented a "Ride Around the World with IMBA" slideshow to an enthusiastic crowd of more than 40 people at the Scoreboard Bike Shop.

For a relatively small city, Gallup is building tremendous momentum for trail development. The city currently has very few trails, but the Gallup Trails 2010 initiative is aiming to change that, with ambitious plans to expand the community's trails and greenways network. To help get the ball rolling, Mark and Lora worked with local volunteers to create a short piece of demonstration trail at the city's sports complex.

After a morning in the classroom and an afternoon of on-the-trail assessment and layout, the new trailbuilders were ready to apply their skills to the dirt. Neither snow nor rain was going to stop them!

The project included constructing more than 200 feet of contour trail, a rolling crown switchback, and a rock-armored drainage crossing.

Completing their project in record time, the group was ready to change out of wet clothes and get something warm to eat by mid-afternoon. Thanks to Gallup Trails 2010, the volunteers enjoyed excellent Chinese food at the King Dragon Restaurant--a great way to end a fantastic weekend!

The Subaru/IMBA's Trail Care Crew's visit to Gallup was a part of IMBA's memorandum of understanding with the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program (RTCA). To learn more about what RTCA is doing in Gallup, visit: http://www.nps.gov/rtca/whatwedo/projects/03pr-nm.html#1

Special thanks to Peter Tempest from Gallup Trails 2010 for contributing photos for this write-up.