Photo by Linda Hunyar, https://alltrails.com
Yavapai Trails Association (YTA) was awarded $17,500.00 in funding to complete this trail maintenance project to benefit hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. To successfully complete the project YTA has partnered with the Prescott National Forest and Back Country Horsemen of Central Arizona (BCHCAZ) ) to leverage private donations, collaboration, and volunteer resources to ensure the funding through the Arizona Community Foundation completes as much maintenance work as possible. The grant award will be utilized to fund a critical backlog of primarily brushing work on the Almosta Trail System in the Prescott National Forest. The total restoration project budget is valued at over $43,000 worth of trail improvements.
The Almosta Trail System is a network of approximately 20 miles of multi-purpose trails in the Williamson Valley area that is a popular trail system especially with the equestrian community. Originally built by and for the equestrian community, this beautifully rugged system is receiving increased usage by all user groups. Bids will be taken for a major portion of the brush removal, opening of blind corners, and improving the drainage. In addition, signage will be added within the system, and a trail counter installed. The Over the Hill Gang volunteer trail maintenance crew, and four volunteer workdays with YTA, and BCHCAZ members will work on the remainder of the designated trails.
“We are grateful to YTA and all our partners for taking on this important work. The Prescott National Forest and our trail partner organizations have developed outstanding relationships to continue to build and maintain a robust system of trails for all to enjoy. This project represents the power of these relationships in the ability for trail user groups to not only partner with the Forest, but also between themselves and leverage those relationships to compete for funding. We are lucky to have passionate and committed partners contributing to the success and sustainability of our Greater Prescott Trails Plan efforts”, said Sarah Clawson, Bradshaw-Chino District Ranger.
Restoration work on the Almosta Trails will start late summer to early fall of 2021.
Ann Hendrickson, President of YTA said “we are pleased to once again partner with the Prescott National Forest, BCHCAZ, and PMBA to assist in maintaining sustainable trails in Yavapai County. We also greatly appreciate the donors who have (and will) generously back this project. A million thanks to all the volunteers who so willingly put in so many hours of service. We are grateful as are the thousands of trail users!”
For more information or to volunteer on this project please contact Ann Hendrickson, YTA President (262) 893-9479 or Jason Williams, Prescott NF Trails & Wilderness Manager at (928) 777-2220.
