This morning six volunteer trail stewards met to rebuild two of our worst sections of trail on the Overlook. These sections are just below the top meadow and are rocky and difficult to traverse—particularly for runners. Prior to today, four wagonloads of packable gravel had been hauled up to the job site. Even so, we could have used more.
After about three hours of work we had rebuilt the two sections of trail to our satisfaction (at least for now, there are a few mop-up jobs left to finish off the segments).
In rebuilding these parts of the trail, we essentially went through several phases:
- Demolition: removal of rocks and boulders from the path (some of them quite large and deeply embedded).
- Rough-in: filling of holes from boulder removal with smaller rocks and large gravel; recreating the trail foundation.
- Final smoothing and sculpting: layering packable gravel and soil to create a smooth path and packing it down.
- Declaration of success and congratulations: The necessary acknowledgement of what was accomplished and kudos all around.
At the start of our work I had set up a time-lapse camera to capture a greatly sped up version of the morning, which I then edited into a less-than-five-minute video that ends up being slightly comical. I hope you enjoy it.
We’re rolling into autumn. As always, we continue our work to keep the trails healthy, safe and accessible. If you’ve visited lately, you’ve seen many freshly graded sections, thanks to our intrepid Maintenance Team.
When I started this effort to remove invasive thistle from the Sonoma Overlook Trail, and then also the Montini Preserve, I thought, in my ignorance, that it was a battle. Over time I realized it was a war. And not only a war, but a war of attrition. That is, who could last longer? Us or them? In the end I know it’s them, but I will take a bite out of them. A serious bite.
Recently I noticed that there was very little room to stand in front of our display at the top of the trail (see picture). Frankly, I couldn’t believe why that spot was chosen, when moving it several feet to the left would have been better by far. But whatever, it’s what we now need to deal with.
I finally gave up sooner than I would have otherwise, leaving a ridge of rock jutting up from the trail, since at the time I had no other choice. Perhaps later I can reduce it more, and create a smooth surface, but one battery’s worth of power is about all I can take on my wrist.
Sonoma Overlook Trail • Montini Open Space Preserve 