Trail Activities
The Trails Committee coordinates and/or puts on social, reconnaissance (recon) and work party rides, and work projects. These “members only” activities either directly support EVBCH’s mission or give our members the opportunity to enjoy fellowship while riding on the trails that we help to maintain. Recon, work party, and work project hours are reported and translate into dollars. Our activities prioritize health and safety of participants, as well as adherence to Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA), Leave No Trace (LNT) and Forest Service (FS) guidelines. Ride participants must be current EVBCH members in good standing that have signed the Hold Harmless Agreement. Sign-up for all rides and projects is through the East Valley Back Country Horsemen’s Facebook group, or by submitting an email through the "Contact Us" section.
Social Rides are coordinated with and supported by the Trails Committee but are a function of the Membership/Social Committee. For more information on Social Rides, please see the Membership Section.
We recommend all trail riders download and print the 3 x 5 Medical Information Card and fill in the information. Keep this in your trail pack at all times. It could save your life in an emergency on the trail!
Trail Reconnaissance and Maintenance
Boots and Hooves on the Ground
EVBCH Trails Committee Mission Statement: We will work to ensure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use. We will assist federal and state agencies responsible for the management of public lands in meeting their goals.
RECONNAISSANCE RIDES
Recon rides provide assessment and documentation of trail conditions. They identify and document any areas that may require a future work project, and then report to the Trail Committee and proper agency. The information gathered on these rides helps the Committee decide how to proceed with the trail’s maintenance. For safety purposes, the number of riders may be limited due to the difficulty of the trail.
WORK PARTY RIDES AND WORK PROJECTS
Work projects are EVBCH’s “boots and hooves on the ground” for trail maintenance. Once a trail has been evaluated and a need has been identified, the Trails Committee organizes a work party to address the work project. Outside agencies may also request EVBCH’s assistance with work projects and pack support. Work parties consist of no more than 10 members.
Work project activities may include
· clearing trails of brush, rocks, and debris,
· building and maintaining water bars,
· marking trails and building cairns,
· cutting and removing branches or downed trees and cactus,
· rerouting a short section of the trail, and
· cleaning up and packing out trash or abandoned campsites.
Trail Maintenance Guides
The USDA and USFS Trail Construction and Maintenance Notebook is EVBCH's standard for Trail evaluation and maintenance. The sections "Trail Corridor" and "Tread" are our guidelines for clearing and maintaining trails.
We encourage our members to download (link below), print out and carry "USDA and FS Trail Maintenance Booklet" from the "Wilderness Steward Manual". It is a condensed version of the above notebook sections.
For more information, please submit an email through the "Contact Us" section.
Packing Trips
Packing trips support trail maintenance and work projects
EVBCH supports the Forest Service by providing packing trip services. Pack animals are used to haul in equipment and supplies to remote locations inaccessible to vehicles. These trips can be a day trip or even an overnight trip depending on the distance traveled. Safety is always the priority.
If you have experience packing or have experienced pack stock animals and could assist or support a packing trip, please submit and email through the "Contact Us" section.
