San Gabriel Mountains Trailbuilders
The San Gabriel Mountains Trailbuilders (SGMTBs) is a 501(c)3[1] non-profit volunteer organization which performs hiking and nature trail building and maintenance within the San Gabriel River Ranger District[2] of the Angeles National Forest located within the San Gabriel Mountains.
The organization works closely with the United States Forest Service from which the Trailbuilders volunteers get their safety oversight and general schedule for tasks and projects which are performed during the year.
Responsibilities
Hikers, bikers, climbers, fishers, backpackers, and other people who get their recreation within the Angeles National Forest often send Email to the Trailbuilders when there are significant problems on trails which have not yet been identified and repaired. Such problems include dead trees down across the trail, significant erosion and washouts, excessive plant growth along the trail, or sections of trail which have otherwise disappeared or are difficult to locate.
Additionally the Trailbuilders are increasingly responsible for establishing and maintaining trail signs within the San Gabriel River Ranger District, identifying missing or damaged signs and replacing them as funds and schedule permits.
The Trailbuilders are responsible for all of the hiking and nature trails within the Crystal Lake Recreation Area, Coldbrook Campgrounds,[3] Bear Creek Trail[4] (mile post 32.4 along California State Route 39), East Fork Trail, Heaton Flats Trail (at the end of East Fork Road), and numerous other hiking and nature trails within the San Gabriel River Ranger District.
Additionally the organization is responsible for some of the trail maintenance within the Mount San Antonio (also known as Mount Baldy) area.
The organization invites High Schools, Colleges, Youth Groups, and other organizations to send volunteers to assist with trail projects during the year. Community service projects for students, Boy Scouts of America volunteers, and Eagle Scout Service Project candidates may contact the Trailbuilders to acquire information on how to participate in the trail-working efforts.
Major Accomplishments
- Along the East Fork of the San Gabriel River the Trailbuilders are responsible for maintaining the trail which leads to the famous Bridge to Nowhere (San Gabriel Mountains) which includes the John Seals Bridge[5] which spans across Laurel Gulch.
- Upper Bear Creek Trail[6] required horses, mules, and 935 pounds of Tovex explosives to repair[7]
- Ice House Canyon[8] is one of the Trailbuilders most extensively-used trails which the organization maintains.[9]
Work Schedule And Joining
The Trailbuilders meet at the San Gabriel Canyon Gateway Center (located at 1960 N. San Gabriel Ave. Azusa, California 91702) on the first, third, and fifth Saturday of every month with additional work days scheduled through the Trailbuilder's mailing list.
Volunteers meet at Gateway and then leave at 8:00 a.m. To head toward the work site, work during the day, and generally return to Gateway at apprioximately 4:00 p.m. When the work effort is completed for the day.
History
The SGMTB was founded in 1984 and for the past 30 years have built trails (Mount Islip, Wawona, and many others) within the Angeles National Forest. The organization has historically maintained about 110 miles of trails within the San Gabriel Mountains.
Contact Information
Mailing address: 978 Norumbega Drive,Monrovia, CA 91016-1821
Related Volunteer Organizations
- Angeles National Forest Fire Lookout Association — Restoration and operation of fire lookout towers in the ANF
- Altadena Mountain Rescue Team — Saving lives through mountain rescue and safety education
- Sierra Madre Search & Rescue — A group of dedicated volunteers committed to saving lives in the wilderness[10]
- West Fork Conservancy — Maintains the West Fork of the San Gabriel River and Beer Creek[11]
- Angeles Volunteer Association — Organizes Visitor Center information, trail repair, and a broad spectrum of forestry efforts[12]
- Fisheries Resource Volunteer Corps — works with the Forest Service, helping with various projects during the year[13]
- San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team — Highly trained mountain rescue team[14]
- Los Angeles County Sheriff's Air Rescue 5 — Volunteer Reserve Deputy Sheriffs are paid $1 a year for their work
External links
- Trailbuilders Web Site
- History Of Some Work Efforts
- PE, Packing It In On A Mule—Accessed 2013-July-22
References
- ↑ 501(c)3 Organizations
- ↑ San Gabriel River Ranger District Accessed 2013-06-26
- ↑ Coldbrook Campgrounds Accessed 2013-06-26
- ↑ Bear Creek Trail Designated Wilderness
- ↑ John Seals Bridge Accessed 2013-06-26
- ↑ Bear Creek Trail Accessed 2013-06-26
- ↑ Bear Creek Trail Repairs Accessed 2013-06-26
- ↑ Ice House Canyon Accessed 2013-06-26
- ↑ Ice House Canyon Repairs Accessed 2013-0-26
- ↑ Sierra Madre Search & Rescue
- ↑ West Fork Conservancy
- ↑ Angeles Volunteer Association
- ↑ Fisheries Resource Volunteer Corps
- ↑ San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team