Getting out on the Trails in Auburn, California

The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew takes on the challenges of multi-use trails.

An enthusiastic group of volunteers can accomplish a lot in one afternoon.
Sue Fry, FATRAC's president and IMBA staff, and Dawn, a local volunteer, measure grades to determine where the new trail alignment will be sustainable.
After laying out a trail route with flags, Donna the Park Ranger ran the alignment to make sure it had nice flow.
Many of the volunteers already had years of trailbuilding experience, and were very efficient.
The volunteers didn't quit until the trail was complete; the park now has a new trail that connects headquarters to the Manzanita Trail.

In late April, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew leaders, Nat and Rachael Lopes, led an IMBA Trailbuilding School at the Auburn State Recreation Area hosted by the Divide Horsemen's Association. The focus of the weekend was sustainable design, maintenance and conflict resolution on multiuse trails. The horsemen got a taste of the mountain bike experience during IMBA presentations, and in contrast, Nat and Rachael were taken on a horseback ride around the Olmstead Loop Trail to see the equestrian perspective.

The Crew also worked with a newly formed local downhill mountain bike club to assess areas for downhill suitability, environmentally and socially. The club has put their energy into developing a positive relationship with the park rangers, which will likely empower them in the future to build such trails.

The Divide Horsemen's Association, the downhill club and Folsom-Auburn Trail Riders Action Coalition had a presence at Saturday's Trailbuilding school. In a short three hours after the school, the group of ten designed, flagged and constructed a new 300-foot section of trail near the park headquarters. At the end of the day the group had put in 30 hours of volunteer work and felt productive and accomplished.