Time Spent Working on Trails Grows Appreciation of Other’s Efforts
By Robert Eversole
Many guidebooks, most maps, and the entire www.TrailMeister website are devoted to a series of squiggly lines. We study those streaks of ink, dream of being on them, and spend an inordinate amount of money to get to and follow them. Those of us who enjoy a life spent outdoors, and especially trail riders, spend a large amount of time on trails. But have we stopped for a moment to appreciate those who create and maintain the trails beneath us?
I’m not sure how many trail miles I’ve covered over the years. Between day rides, pack trips into wilderness areas, and even a few backpacking excursions over the past decades, I’d venture the number foots well into the thousands—perhaps even into five-digit territory.
Generally, those miles have been made with little thought to the origins of the trails. Instead I often think about the upcoming views, the quality of the fishing, and where the next place to water the mules lies in the distance ahead. Despite the time I spend on the trail I rarely consider the hard work and effort that goes into creating the paths that grant us access into these hallowed places. Aren’t trails meant to be unnoticed?
If you believe that your land managers (or trail fairies—take your pick) are able to maintain trails—think again. I once had a Gilligan’s Island-type trip into the Pasayten Wilderness where a three-hour ride became an eight-hour ordeal of trail clearing.
This past summer I had the opportunity to join groups of concerned riders to work on projects across the Pacific Northwest. Members of Back Country Horsemen of America and other people from hundreds of miles away loaded their trucks and trailers and joined together to clear trail, rebuild equestrian camps, and reconstruct bridges in the wilderness.
Every work party begins with a greeting from piles of tools and materials. After a safety briefing, we make our way to our work site and begin the task at hand. From removing ancient nails from a rotting bridge deck to mixing concrete for new highline posts, we labor, occasionally taking breaks to admire our handy work.
Trail work is hard. Progress is foot by foot, often inch by painstaking inch. Occasionally it goes quickly; more often it’s a slow laborious slog. Every time I volunteer for a trail work party I’m amazed at the time and dedication even a modest project requires. When I’m riding, I move past wooden bridges, cleared downfall, and water-bars without pause. But time spent helping build and maintain these structures puts things into perspective and reminds me of the efforts that went into them.
For the past 46 years, the Back Country Horsemen of America have been working to maintain trails on public lands across the nation. From raising funds and awareness to influencing policies with land managers, they’ve been on the ground, leading trail projects and educating trail users.
Keeping horse trails and camps open involves not just the national organization but also state and local chapters of BCHA, all working together as stewards of local trails. The hard work of these groups creates pathways for horsemen to access the beautiful and remote places that we all crave. Their trail work provides safe passage through rugged landscapes that would otherwise be impassable and lost to future generations.
So, the next time you’re out enjoying a trail ride, remember to give a thank you to the volunteers that made it possible. If you happen to be enjoying the Ken Wilcox Horse Camp or pack into the Pasayten Wilderness across the bridges on Robinson Creek, keep an eye open for the new picnic tables and the rebuilt bridge. Some of us are still sore from the efforts.
Better yet, please be active in keeping your trails open. Join a trail advocacy organization and fight to protect the wild places that you love. For more information on Back Country Horsemen of America visit www.bcha.org.
As always for the world’s largest guide to horse trails and camps visit www.TrailMeister.com with three thousand areas listed! You’ll find driving directions, trail maps, GPS tracks, and much more.
Robert Eversole, ”the trail meister,” owns www.TrailMeister.com, the largest database of horse riding and camping areas in the U.S. with free trail and trailhead information, trail maps, and much more to help horse enthusiasts experience the joys of trail riding. Robert is a registered riding instructor with PATH International, a mounted search and rescue team member, and a U.S. Marine who has served on the board of the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington (BCHW). He is enjoying his new career helping fellow trail riders stay found and safe on the trail. When not on the trail, The Trail Meister resides near Spokane, WA and teaches land navigation to a wide variety of outdoor groups across the nation. For North America’s largest horse trail and camping directory, trail tips, and more, visit www.TrailMeister.com.