Trail Work Days Report: Brownstone Trail

Jeff Nelson, Sue Aiken, & Mark Frazer create a water diversion.

The Brownstone Trail took several hits during our major rain event on June 18-19th between Blue Wing Bay Road and the Box Steps beside Wild Rice Retreat.

​Shortly after the storm, Sean Reagan used his tractor and front-end loader for a great initial repair to the washed-out gullies on the steep slope that meets with Blue Wing Bay Road. Next a group of us got together to plan further repairs and water diversions for this section of trail to lower the risk of future washouts.

On Friday, July 19, a dedicated group of volunteers came together to address the first part of this plan: changes best made by hand on the trail beyond the steep section. Volunteers included: Mark Frazer, Doug Olson, Chris Nybo, Janel Ryan, Neil Howk, Jeff Nelson, Sue Aiken, Kris Wegerson, and John Ipsen.

Doug, the Outdoor Recreation Program Director at Mt. Ashwabay, gave us great advice and hands-on training on creating diagonal water bars in the tread.

Sue Aiken, Neil Howk, & Janel Ryan level out the trail.

Mark was especially helpful and provided his ATV and trailer to haul water and equipment, so that we could better compact the gravel we had re-shaped. We built nine gradual angled diversions and filled in gullies with scavenged gravel.

Chris Nybo, who had biked to the work site, gave the diversions his mountain bike seal of approval!

By the box steps, we raked displaced gravel and weeded. We worked efficiently in a couple of teams, and what we budgeted for two mornings only required one, so Saturday became a play day.

The trail is looking more resilient to precipitation events. We’ll see how the area fares in the next big storm or spring runoff. Thanks, all you great volunteers!