NMOHVA News & Announcements

Last Updated: January 26, 2009

On Saturday, November 8, 22 members of the Blackfeather Trails Preservation Alliance (BTPA) joined with Mike Dechter and Phyllis Martinez of the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest to maintain sections of the singletrack “Motown Trail” located in the Jemez Mountains north of Cochiti Mesa.

For more than three decades BPTA members have cared for hundreds of miles of trails in the Jemez Mountains by removing downfall across the trails and trimming brush from the sides. This was the first time in many years that the Club has worked with the Forest Service on a joint maintenance project.

Prior to leaving the parking lot, Phyllis, the Jemez Ranger District’s trail maintenance expert, briefed the riders on safety and the proper use of tools. She went on to stress the importance of “quality over quantity,” whereby the end result is a product that will last for years to come. Club members were given photocopies of illustrations detailing Forest Service approved trail maintenance methods including grade berms, diversion channels, rolling grade dips, check dams, out-slopes, and others. The primary strategy of these techniques is the prevention of both standing and running water on the trails.

As BTPA crew headed out, Phyllis and Mike provided tools designed specifically for the tasks ahead. Sections of the trail had been flagged previously by the Forest Service to indicate what needed to be done at each specific spot. At the first flag, Phyllis demonstrated the installation of a grade berm. While it seemed like a slow start with everyone being anxious to let the picks fly, this detailed instruction emphasized the focus on performing the tasks the right way.

The group completed all of the Forest Service identified maintenance opportunities by noon, due in large part to the overwhelming turnout and the eager, cooperative attitudes held by everyone in the group. After lunch, the group continued work armed with their new knowledge and a couple of tools generously donated by the Forest Service. The work continued into the afternoon until the tools were getting heavy and the call of cold liquid refreshment was too much to resist.

By the end of the day, the BPTA had transformed rutted trail sections and installed numerous measures designed to prevent future wear and tear and erosion on the trails. Phyllis Martinez, Forest Service commented, “I enjoyed working with all of you and I look forward to more partnership days next field season!”

Jim Tyldesley, Project Coordinator for the Blackfeathers, thanked all of the volunteers for their hard work and added, “I hope that this is the beginning of a long and productive collaborative partnership between the Forest Service and BPTA.”

BTPA Work Crew for Motown Trail Maintenance Day

BTPA Hard at Work on Motown Trail Maintenance