The all-volunteer VWA Trail Crew was formed in early 2001 in response to the challenge of reclaiming the incredibly scenic Black Cone Trail deep in the heart of the Ventana Wilderness area of the Los Padres National Forest. The crew's first work outing was in the Spring of that year, during which 11 volunteers spent 3 days clearing burnt brush and snags from approximately 4 miles of the BCT. Since that time members of the VWA Trail Crew have performed a wide array of backcountry trail maintenance, including brushing the Willow Creek Trail in Willow Creek (near Big Sur) as well as assisted the Forest Service in repairing the bulldozer-damaged Skinner Ridge Trail as part of a National Public Lands Day event in September, 2001.
VWA Trail Crew outings vary widely in their intensity of labor. Some entail heavy earthwork with Pulaskis, McLeods and mattocks, while others may consist mainly of pruning back encroaching brush with hand shears and folding saws as we hike the beautiful Big Sur area backcountry trails. But constant across all VWA Trail Crew trips is safety, fun and camaraderie. Guidance and tutelage about the safe, proper and most efficient use of tools is always offered, but outing participants are never pushed to work harder or longer than they care to, and are always free to put down their tools and take a break or a walk as they see fit.
The VWA Trail Crew offers both day-long outings as well as multi-day backpack events. All tools are provided, but participants must bring their own work gloves and camping gear as applicable, and be ready to have fun and enjoy the wonderful feeling that only backcountry volunteer labor can provide
Click here to learn more about our nearly completed Cone Peak Trails Project.
Click here to find out more about the Trail Crew or to join the Trail Crew email notification list.
