Case Study: Restoring Trails for the Girl Scouts of Northern California
Objective
After a landslide on their property, the Girl Scouts of
Northern California no longer had access to the
waterfall that is the namesake of Camp Hidden Falls
in Soquel, CA. The trail to the falls traverses a steep
slope with staircases, and many sections of the trail
and its structures (retaining walls, stairs, bridge)
were in a state of disrepair and deterioration. We
developed a scope of work to restore access to the
falls, improve the safety for campers, and keep the
trail in great shape for years to come.
Solutions
Our professional Trail Crew removed a large fallen
log that was blocking the trail and installed a rock
wall to dry up and prevent erosion on a perpetually
wet section of the trail that ran through a swale. To
keep costs low, we used onsite rock rather than
import materials. We also reestablished the lower
section of the badly eroded trail and made some
general improvements for performance and safety
throughout.
Following those trail repairs, we tackled carpentry work and installed new railings and bridge improvements throughout the trail. Finally, our team replaced 20 wooden steps that were rotting near the entrance to the falls.
Two years have passed since this project was completed, and the trail’s holding up great!
Benefits
Camp Reopens with Renewed Access
Following the work completed by our crew, Hidden Falls Camp could reopen post-wildfire.
Improved Safety & Fun
Camp staff have peace of mind regarding the safety of campers who use the trail. New features make the trail more fun to hike, too!
Low-Maintenance Asset
Two years later, the trail’s still in great condition. It sees thousands of trips per year and delivers smiles each time.
