What: Black Range Crest Trail/Sawyer Peak Trail Work Party
When: Nov 9th and 10th – you can attend either day or both
Project description: SNMTA will be joining Heart of the Gila and Silver City mountain bikers to maintain the Black Range Crest Trail from Emory Pass south to Sawyer Peak. Trail work will consist of mainly brushing/ lopping with minor tread work. The trail is at an elevation between 8,800 to 9,660 feet making for cool temperatures in November but ideal for trail work. From Emory Pass, we will be working south from the trailhead to about 3.5 miles in. A majority of work is in the first 1.5 miles. We can go beyond Sawyer Peak if there is time and energy. Goal is to open the trail up for mountain biking at least to Sawyer Peak. This will provide a good link up to the 5 mile Scenic Trail from Kingston up to Emory Pass that SNMTA and partners opened up in the summer. If there is time and enough people we will also work on the Crest Trail north towards Hillsboro Peak.
The Black Range is in between Las Cruces and Silver City and makes a good place to meet and work with our Southern New Mexico Trail Community.
What we will provide: personal protective equipment (PPE) (including hard hats, gloves, safety glasses), Tools, project materials, trail and safety training, and lots of trail snacks. Please bring your own PPE if you have it, bicycle helmets are okay. (see food and water below)
Food and Water: For those who are camping, we will provide dinner and breakfast. For those returning home or only staying one day,, we will provide lots of trail snacks and drinks.
Groups involved: Heart of the Gila, Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance, Silver City Bike Group and other individuals
Camping option: Emory Pass is about 1 hr from Silver City and 1.5 hours from Las Cruces. If you would prefer to camp, we will be camping near Emory Pass at one of the Forest Service campgrounds (specific campground is to be determined). Please remember that nights in November can be at or below freezing. You will need to bring all your own camping gear and water. We will provide food for dinner and breakfast. We will also bring firewood.
For those who want to camp the night before the project, there are multiple forest service campgrounds in the area. You will need to bring your own food.
Why this Trail: This trail is easy access since it starts next to the highway. The trail has great views. It has the potential of being a fun mtn bike trail. In addition, the Scenic Trail (which goes from Emory Pass to Kingston) was just reopened by Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance. Both trails could potential be rode or hiked in one day (making the drive more worth it).
RSVP is needed as the project approaches. We will send out more details closer to the weekend.
If you are interested, or have any questions Email Melissa Green at heartofthegilatrails@gmail.com or Dan at southernnmtrailalliance@gmail.com