Trails Day

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Aug 09 2002 10:50 pm

As some/most/all of you may know, back in (around) 1996 Backpacker magazine created National Trails Day...the idea being that one day each year, hikers/backpackers/trail users would give back through an all out effort across the country to do trail maintenance...be it picking up trash, clearing brush, or even more involved work with trail crews...now like most of you, I tend to pick up trash as I hike, so I know you all know what I'm talking about...

Each year Pat and I have done our own Trails Day thing...mostly just picking up trash on Wind Cave Trail....this past June I checked out a few of the organized events, and was surprised to discover that I couldn't find an event to do actually trail maintenance, but did find a bunch of trail expos/festivals...

So, I was thinking, maybe next year (June 1, 2003) HAZ members can sponsor/put together/offer up a Trails Day activity....then I was also thinking that we could maybe do a monthly/bi-monthly trail maintenance activity...be it on the same trail each month, or rotate the trail each month, whatever, I just thought it might be a cool thing. A way to give back a bit...

It could be as simple as each month, someone (me, GTG, Mike, whoever) picks a trail, a date, and a time, and whoever can show up does so and we just do light maintenance...pick up trash, etc as we hike the trail...of course, a meal afterward could be planned, along with adult beverages, etc...or maybe someone picks up a bunch of coffee's for before the work starts...whatever...

Anyone interested? What do you think?

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Aug 21 2002 7:00 pm

GTG - the thought is truely appreciated. I believe it'd be best to stay away from the adopt-a-highway. If anybody want's to help clean the trails, forest, or whatnot, just show up and do it and/or do it on your own. Doing a good deed without recognition is the grandest deed of all.

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Aug 21 2002 8:54 pm

See, and I think we should get t-shirts that say..."We picked up your garbage"

Nevermind...

OK, I'm not sure where to go from here...seems like lots are willing to do the work, but where does the work need to be done? I'm going to check out a few places around the valley, specifically the more popular Sups trailheads...ie Peralta, as well as Meridian Trailhead and the area due north of Salt River Recreation. That area is always a mess...and I'll report back here..

I would much rather hike a trail and pick up trash, but I haven't seen really messy trails, just a few pieces of litter here or there..

Daryl · Post by **Daryl** » Aug 22 2002 11:39 am

I'd be down for a trail clean up. I could probably get more people to come too.

Any suggestions on a trail yet? Having been on a lot of the superstitions trails off peralta and first water trail head monday and tuesday, they are very clean and don't need any clean up. (Great job those of you that regularly hike there!) I guess those trails are a little too tough for the mullet headed litter bugs.

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Aug 22 2002 12:15 pm

Colin,

Check out FS143 off the Beeline Highway, the Four Peaks road. As you you are drivivg after about three miles keep your eye out for any area that might be used as a 'camping spot'. There a four or five of them both on the left of the road and the right. It will break your heart. Everything from beer bottles, cans, tires, oil cans, even broken lawn furniture. My husband and I filled the back our truck last fall and barely made a dent.

Four Peaks is truely one of the gems of our deserts, and there is only one. The abuse that has been put on this land is devestating. They even tag billion year old rocks up there.

Lizard · Post by **Lizard** » Aug 22 2002 5:02 pm

If you guys are looking for a place that needs cleaning that you can hike to, consider one of the popular swimming holes within reach of the valley. Every time I've visited places like Bell Crossing I've been apalled at the amount of trash.

I'd love to help with this but I am fairly unmobile right now without a vehicle (truck stolen). If anyone in Tucson is planning to head out for a project like this, drop me a pm.

Lizard

RickInMesa · Post by **RickInMesa** » Aug 23 2002 11:32 pm

There's stuff, and then there's disgusting stuff. I picked up several pocketsfull of trash on the Romero Canyon trail (near Tucson), but decided to leave behind the TP that is seemingly behind every out-of-the-way bush near the pools. I know why people don't like to pack out their TP, but it sure is a problem. Now if I'd brought a spade or something, I could have just buried it deeper, I suppose. Not a good wilderness habit, tho. Another trail/area with this problem is the Wet Beaver. In both cases, once you pass the popular turn-around (or party) point, the amount of trail garbage drops off.

MaryPhyl · Post by **MaryPhyl** » Aug 24 2002 8:57 am

My husband and I had a big plastic sack with us one time and spent an afternoon cleaning up that spot on Wet Beaver. We picked up a huge amount of broken glass and other things and then carried the bag between us on the way out. Just that one place took two of us several hours but it was perfect when we left it. We were working on the theory that a big pile invites more since it is already a mess. You can tell it is a kid's party place--makes you wonder why the kids muck up their own favorite spot.

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Aug 24 2002 1:03 pm

Having gone to Wet Beaver for the first time last week I also noticed all the trash.

That may be a good place to start.

GTG_AZH · Post by **GTG_AZH** » Sep 01 2002 11:27 pm

OK enough chat, how about some cleanup?
We went to Fossil Springs via the Flume Trail yesterday, Fossil Springs is a mess. If you've ever been there, you know what a beautiful place it is, it's in a total state of disrepair right now.

There is garbage everywhere, as my pictures will attempt to show. There are blankets, coolers, empty water containers, empty fuel cans, dead animals and other various pieces of garbage strewn about. People are digging the fire pits out like they're getting ready for a chili shindig in there.
A group of people could spend a good day or so down there cleaning up the place.

http://www.hikearizona.com/~gtg/trash/trash1.jpg
http://www.hikearizona.com/~gtg/trash/trash2.jpg
http://www.hikearizona.com/~gtg/trash/trash3.jpg
http://www.hikearizona.com/~gtg/trash/trash4.jpg
http://www.hikearizona.com/~gtg/trash/trash5.jpg

So how about it? - Will you put your money where your mouth is?

A HAZ camp out/cleanup at Fossil Springs, during September. One day or so cleaning, the next day swimming and enjoying ourselves down there in the water.
We'll go in on a Friday evening, get up Saturday and clean. Sunday will be play day, coming out late that afternoon.

We'll need to arrange with folks, who'll bring what items to help out with, garbage bags, empty packs to carry out garbage etc.

I have an extra tent, packs, and sleeping bags to loan if needed.

I'll give out a HAZ t-shirt to the first two that sign up to help.*
If we get a real interest in this venture, like I know the good group at HAZ is, then I'll start a new thread for it.

P.S.
We're not going in there to put HAZ stickers everywhere and say we're out there to promote the site by cleaning up.
That's not what it should be about.
We're going in there to have a good time, meet some folks we only know through our computers and do a good thing

Thanks,
GTG

*(Person must not currently own a HAZ t-shirt.)

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Sep 02 2002 12:56 am

I figured I'd start with a place close to my heart...

On Saturday Sept 7th in the early morning I'll be doing a trash pick up in NE Mesa at the southern end of Usery Mountain Park. I've been trail running lately from the Crismon Road trailhead and am appauld at the trash in that area.

If anyone would like to join me, please respond or send me an email.

kurthzone · Post by **kurthzone** » Sep 02 2002 2:16 pm

GTG wrote:OK enough chat, how about some cleanup?...

I'd be glad to participate, but can only do the 14th - 15th of September.

kurthzone · Post by **kurthzone** » Sep 02 2002 2:22 pm

ck1 wrote:I figured I'd start with a place close to my heart...

On Saturday Sept 7th in the early morning I'll be doing a trash pick up in NE Mesa at the southern end of Usery Mountain Park. I've been trail running lately from the Crismon Road trailhead and am appauld at the trash in that area.

If anyone would like to join me, please respond or send me an email.

Sorry ck, I know I said I'd be there, but too quick notice. I'm doing Humphreys on Saturday.

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Sep 02 2002 10:30 pm

Hey, don't worry about it if you can't join in the fun. I just figured out my schedule for the week and I know I have Sat. morning free...so I figured I'd go pick the area up. Figured I'd post it and anyone who is free and wants to do something can. I'm picking the crap up regardless of if anyone joins me....I run there a few times a week and I'm tired of looking at the garbage.

nealz · Post by **nealz** » Sep 04 2002 1:42 pm

ck1-

I can get there too. That's the spot I usually start my MTB rides at and it certainly could use some tidying up. What time do you want to start? I'm a real early bird.

-Nealz

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Sep 04 2002 8:47 pm

I was thinking around 6, but can arrive earlier also. I'm going to try to borrow some of those garbage picker tools from the grounds crew at the school where I teach, thought they might come in handy.

nealz · Post by **nealz** » Sep 05 2002 12:02 pm

06:00 is good by me. I'll bring rakes, shovels and other implements of destruction and garbage bags. Gloves might be a good idea too.

-Nealz

evenstarx3 · Post by **evenstarx3** » Sep 05 2002 4:08 pm

Patches and I are gonna do Bell trail Saturday. We'll take a couple of garbage bags.

Abe · Post by **Abe** » Sep 07 2002 7:32 am

GTG wrote:OK enough chat, how about some cleanup? So how about it? - Will you put your money where your mouth is?

I am trying this he said, she said thing. Hope I do not wreck yours GTG. Anyhow, I think this is a great idea when my schedule allows and I need plenty of time or notice. And I can more than likely work it once a quarter or twice a year. It has been my experience that popular sights seem to attract people like a herd of cattle around a watering hole. And like cattle trashing an area, folks will too. Once an area is cleaned up is there a way to leave a message that says HAZ cleaned this area up for your pleasure.

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Sep 07 2002 8:16 am

Abe wrote: Once an area is cleaned up is there a way to leave a message that says HAZ cleaned this area up for your pleasure.

Abe- clean it just for the pure joy of giving back...no need to mention HAZ or even yourself.

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Sep 07 2002 8:34 am

nealz wrote:06:00 is good by me. I'll bring rakes, shovels and other implements of destruction and garbage bags. Gloves might be a good idea too.

-Nealz

Nealz -

We missed you! I got your pm, I think you were heading to a different trailhead. I left a not for you at the Meridian Trail access point/trailhead on Meridian Road just south of the actual "Meridian Trailhead"...(does that make sense?)...saying that we'd be at the Levee Trail Trailhead area at Crismon and McKellips.

We picked up trash from 6-7am. Filled about 6 bags worth, plus some stuff that didn't fit in a bag. It was cool b/c the area looked sooooo much better!

I can't encourage others enough! It is well worth the effort!

Trails Day

Trails Day

Trail Cleanup

Re: Trail Cleanup

Re: Trail Cleanup

Re: Trail Cleanup