Our new Trail Stewardship Crew has been hard at work the last several weeks. We would like to introduce you to the “Dirt Fairy Diaries” which will be a regular series throughout the summer & fall to highlight the work from this great crew. Spending 40 hours a week building trail in the woods is a tough job. We hope this series captures their efforts for you!
Welcome to the Dirt Fairy Diaries
May, 29th, 2024
Over the last month, we at Overland have indulged in the fruits of our labors by taking actionable steps to bolster the resource our community holds at the highest regard – Trails. Strategic growth and a backlog of maintenance, coupled with one of the greatest natural disasters this state has witnessed, granted us the opportunity to build a new team. A crew of dedicated individuals devoting the next term of their life to mending our environmental connection avenues.
An honest metaphor, for their work often is completed out of sight and out of mind. It is a rare site to stumble across them as you are out for a jaunt through the woods. They are shy, constantly moving onto the next following the required “test laps” on the fresh blanket of first tracks. Rather than sticking around once the project is done, they know there is always more work to be done. Recognition is not sought out, as they are a conglomerate of something much larger than self, but a thank you acts as fuel for the fire. They plug elusively long hours of back breaking work to curate the magical string lines flowing through the landscape we all enjoy in our recreational splendor. This form of art creation must only be capable of the wondrous wands, shovels, and picks of fairies.
Three weeks ago, we sat in a classroom, the team’s only office day for the year, and on-boarded a staff of three. Individuals coming in with unique backgrounds and relationships with trails in the region. Some already inducted into the ragtag community of dirt diggers. Others nervously trusting their curious heart, pushing to explore the wonders of a summer of no cellphone service or showers.
In a lull between presentations and first aid certifications, the sound barrier broke, struck up by the words, “why did you guys want to do this?” Everyone’s answer in some way shape or form was based off of fostering relationships with the land. A place we go to recharge and reset before and after big life moves. A place we go searching for ourself. Wandering in the release of self control, while continuing to build a relationship with a lifelong friend. Tapping into our senses in a way every man-made gadget dreams they could. Different life journeys from across the country, deep in conversation, now headed into the woods together.
Our first mission was 2 weeks of re-routes and adjustments to Lower Roaring Creek. A once unrideable fall line, now stretched out over the meandering gulch contoured by 2 branches of the name-worthy stream. While we introduced the team to the flag lines, operational structure, and goals, we also talked about the history and reading the hillside. We read the signs left by those who have dedicated their time to our same mission. Without them we would not be granted the opportunity to play our part. We tie this history with the story the hillside is telling us. Combining these with countless hours of wandering to get to know the hill like your home are fundamental steps of sustainable tread.
Over the two weeks, we were able to teach the team trail building standards through tread curation and rock work. Tips and tricks were shared by those that had to learn the hard way on shortcuts and techniques. Starting to provide the resources for the team to take these fundamental skills and marry them into their creative being. We completed 2 re-routes, rebuilt 2 drainage structures, restructured 3 corners, and stacked a lot of rock. The crew now able to comprehend the complex process of blank canvas to masterpiece.
Through this work the team also got to foster their relationship with the healing land. On one of the last days during lunch, I asked “what is it like for you all to work in a burn zone?” A conundrum insued on the force like balance between apocalyptic and beauty. Ghost of the charred living, dry standing to remind the naive life of humility. The fact that one way or another nature will take what is hers back. Through living in this moment of the circle of life, we all understood our undertaking of creating something that works both for us and with her. The most pivotal lesson of all the onboarding teachings.
As snowmelt gushes down the watershed drainages, quenching the thirst of new life, we set our sights on Donner Pass. Over the next 10 weeks we will work in unison with contractors, youth corps, volunteers, and the Forest Service to connect the dots from trailhead to summit with the intention of creating a more engaging trail for the users. The first couple days gifted us with the young velvet of antlers and the golden snitch sensation of hummingbirds. Campground shadowed by Lookout and Crystal mountains. Warm days are upon us, as our work heats up and heads into June. We are looking forward to what this new young stand of lodgepole and aspen can teach us along the way.
If you have made it to this point in the read, these dirt fairy tales must intrigue you. Please follow along throughout the summer as we get back into service and share our stories with you.
