All Smiles on the Saratoga to the Skyline Trail
Join Devon Jackson, our newest Trails Project Lead, as he shares his experiences working with the MBOSC Trail Crew on the Saratoga to the Skyline Trail during his first trailwork season.
It was a cold and dewy morning in February, and when I first arrived at our job site, I began to see the sun rising over Saratoga beneath us. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and began hiking up the trail. The only sounds you could hear were our footsteps and the stirrings of birds in the surrounding trees. My gaze was focused on the trail ahead of me, and as we made our way to the worksite, I began to notice the craftsmanship that went into every turn, grade reversal, and drain of the newly constructed trail. I’m relatively new to trailwork, so almost anything looked good to me at this point, but even as I plodded down the path my body slowly set into an even pace aided by the many careful decisions of its builders.
I’ve always been interested in the concept of building sustainable trails, and the opportunity to make that a part of my daily life was ultimately the impetus that brought me to MBOSC back in January of this year. As a lifelong cyclist, I can look back and see that it was clear from an early age what made certain trails special. As an MBOSC Trails Project Lead, I was now afforded the opportunity to learn what went into creating those special outdoor experiences alongside some of our region’s best trail builders. In my role, I’m tasked with helping volunteers work effectively alongside MBOSC’s professional Trail Crew. Trailwork can be demanding, and by getting out in the field alongside our crew in Saratoga, I hoped to learn more about trailwork techniques that could be implemented at future volunteer events.
After arrival at the Saratoga site, we got to work on one of the many rock walls along this section of the Saratoga to the Skyline Trail. Rock walls support the trail tread and help the trail withstand the test of time by preventing future storms from wiping out all our hard work. They also help the trail drain water and increase its long-term sustainability. As the rock wall came together, one of the MBOSC Trail Crew veterans handed me a rake and asked me to clean up one of the sections of trail that had already been constructed. I was eager to prove myself, so I put my head down and got to work.
Every now and again, my curiosity would bring me up toward the excavators. I was blown away by the speed with which our team worked. Each crew member has different talents they bring to the table. Trail Specialist, Pete Katsaros, has the kind of calculated movements of someone who’s worked with their hands for many years. Because of this, it’s no surprise he was tasked with guiding rocks into the wall from the excavator. I looked on as they calmly set in hundred-pound rocks at a time in the morning when most people weren’t even awake. This job is pretty dangerous, too, and they were working safely as a team to fly through the section of trail. It was clear that the whole team bought into the idea of creating a high-quality finished product. Each Trail Crew member has a deep sense of pride in the work they do, and it shows in the final product.
For most of the day, my gaze was focused on the soil beneath my feet. Every now and again, I’d stop for a quick break and notice the beauty of the surrounding forest. Scenic vistas of lush green valleys are a good reminder of how lucky we are as trail builders to call the Santa Cruz Mountains home.
Tall Redwoods and wizened Oak trees serve as the backdrop for one of the most beautiful places in our country. It’s no wonder people come from around the world to enjoy our trails. I feel honored to be a part of an organization that represents our community through this medium.
Before I knew it, we had finished the rock wall and headed back into the understory. It’s incredibly satisfying to see the trail materialize before your eyes, and our fast pace satiated this never-ending desire. At the helm of the trail crew is Trails Specialist II, Jacob Hyde. Cob, as most of his friends call him, is a smooth operator who quickly and quietly drove us deeper and deeper into the forest. You could tell he likes to build the trail as if he was riding or walking it himself.
As our day came to a close, we began packing up the site. The sun had come out and dappled sunlight played elegantly across the forest floor. I looked back and could hardly tell where the trail was; it was as if it had melted into the surrounding landscape. Through the diligent work of Trails Specialist, Bruce Dorman, you’ll often find our finished trails in this state. Bruce is our resident artist and photographer, so whenever we need to add a touch of artistry to a project, he’s our man. It’s easy to tell where Bruce has been because even the tiniest of roots will have been removed and the trail will appear as if it has been there for years.
I admired our handy work, grabbed my pack, and set off down the path. Despite my body being worn out, I noticed myself swaying back and forth with the flow of the trail. Each successive step launched me deeper into a meditative state and allowed me to put myself in the shoes of those who will walk the trail once it finally opens. To your average trail user, building a trail might not seem that complex. Grab a shovel, dig a trench, smooth it out, and voila, you’re ready to go. I wish it was that easy, but it quickly became apparent to me how far from the truth this is.
Now that I’ve had time to settle into my new role, I’ve been able to see how this sense of trail harmony allows users to connect to their environment in a profound way. Trails play a vital role in rejuvenating the human spirit, especially in the face of a global pandemic like COVID-19. Local bike shops are sold out as Bay Area communities flock to the hills in search of this sense of peace. It brings me great joy to know I might see new riders out on the trail experiencing the exhilaration I was privileged to have from such a young age. Each day we get to go out on the trails is another day spent in service to the communities we cherish. It’s no wonder I have a hard time wiping the smile from my face each day I get the opportunity to build trails as a part of the MBOSC team.
