Raymond, CA:  IMBA And The U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Bring New Trail Opportunities To Central California

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew for three visits in the southern Sierra Nevada foothills of California.

Ranger's eye view of Pine Flat Lake from the new trail alignment.
A sustainable trail is born at Hensley Lake.
USACE Rangers, Barry and Freddy, carry heavy loads of tools for the group at Hensley Lake.
At the entrance to the re-route, the reclaimed trail to the left is hardly noticeable.
image Clack and Mike Bloom accepting the USACE win-win award, also presented to IMBA at the Bass Lake Ranger Training.
A clean moment before the sweat and dirt of trailbuilding at Pine Flat Lake.
A fisherman's perspective of Edison Point at Pine Flat Lake.
The new rolling contour trail is designed under the shade of trees wherever possible. Summer temps often exceed 100 degrees.

The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew began their U.S. Army Corps of Engineers California tour at Hensley Lake this February where Crew leaders, Mark Schmidt, Lora Woolner, Nat Lopes and Rachael Lopes, joined forces with the Central California Off Road Cyclists (CCORC), US Army Corps rangers, and Tri-Sport Limited for a weekend of talking trails. With a big vision for the trail system at Hensley Lake and limited time, the group reclaimed a section of fall line trail that was deeply eroded and widened and constructed a 250-foot long re-route along the contour through native oaks and manzanita.

In mid-March, Nat and Rachael taught Trailbuilding School at the 2004 Ranger Training Conference to 100 US Army Corps of Engineers rangers from California and New Mexico at Bass Lake, just 8 miles from the southern entrance into Yosemite National Park.

Following the Bass Lake training Nat and Rachael headed to Pine Flat Lake l for their third trailbuilding school in the gorgeous foothills of California. An early heat wave caused the spring flowers to bloom early offering wonderful views of rolling green hills and colorful wildflowers. Located on Edison Point, the trail will have sweeping views of the lake and reach two idyllic view points nestled under blue-grey oak trees.

Special thanks to Matt Like, Hensley Lake Park Ranger and Freddy Arias, Pine Flat Lake Park Ranger for their positive spirit and recognition of IMBA's efforts as well as CCORC's hard work. Thanks also to Mike Bloom and Rick Clack of CCORC and Boy Scout Troop 417 for all their work.