Keeping Up With: Cotoni-Coast Dairies

Our crew recently completed construction of Loops 1 & 2 (beginner & intermediate difficulty) on the Cotoni-Coast Dairies property. Loop 3 (the advanced trail) construction is now underway!

- Loops 1 and 2 are nearly complete! Our crew still needs to do some finish work out on the trails, but they've shaped up nicely.

- After recent storms, our crew spent some time surveying the trails and fixing any issues. Luckily, there was only one section in need of repair! The team added a table top to add some spice to the trail and prevent future erosion.

- The largest bridge on the property, a 50' redwood bridge at the base of Loop 1, is nearly done. We'll wrap up this construction project while we finish surfacing (compacting the trail tread) out on Loop 1.

Swipe through for progress photos!

- Thanks to a big effort at our Dig Day on the 17th, Loop 2 officially connects to Loop 1! We now have two full loops of trail connected and roughed in!

- A new puncheon along the hand-built, Loop 2 is complete.

- The intensive rock armoring project along Loop 2 is nearing completion.

- Our crew’s been focused on constructing two bridges; a 27’ bridge at the top of Loop 1 and a 50’ bridge at the bottom of Loop 1. Both of these bridges are constructed with concrete abutments, cedar stringers, and gorgeous redwood decking and railings.

- Just about 4 miles of trail complete between Loop 1 and 2!

- The crew wrapped up trail surfacing along the ADA section of Loop 1. This was an intensive project that included multiple steps in order to get the surface super firm. The Crew even used a special catalyst in the topsoil to strengthen it.

- We had an awesome Dig Day, sponsored by Patagonia Work Wear, on August 13th breaking ground on new trail along Loop 2.

- Construction on the first and second bridges are underway, 50’ and 27’ respectively. The first, lower bridge crosses the Agua Puerca Creek and the second bridge crosses a smaller gulch. These bridges have cement abutments and will be finished with beautiful redwood. Special thanks to Bob Landry and Mark Burden for volunteering a huge chunk of their time to help pour the abutments!

Swipe through for progress photos!

- 2.8 miles of trail is complete!

- The Trail Crew is currently working on Loops 1 and 2, the beginner and intermediate trails in Phase 1’s northern trail network. Almost all of the trail has been roughed in, with tricky bridge construction and trail surfacing yet to come.

- We’ll need to build three bridges before we can open the first trails, and have some new hands to help us get the job done. Battista Brigante is a skilled carpenter who has joined the SCMTS Trail Crew to support construction efforts out at Cotoni-Coast Dairies. His knowledge will be put to the test in the weeks to come.

- These bridges will not only need to span challenging terrain and pits of poison oak, but they’ll also need to utilize materials that will withstand the moisture and wind of the Santa Cruz County coast. With Battista’s help, the crew is finalizing designs for the bridges between Loop 1 & 2 in addition to the third bridge that will be 50’ long and connect the northern trails to the parking lot.

- The Trail Crew recently came upon an incredibly steep fall line on Loop 2 and are building rock walls and retaining structures to keep the trail elevated. It’s slow-going work, but this is the foundation of the trail, and it needs to be done correctly the first time. The crew is moving one rock at a time to ensure stability before the excavator moves forward.

- Loop 3 is flagged and funding is moving forward nicely! Thanks to our “Sponsor a Brick” campaign, generous supporters like you helped us raise over $97,000 for Loop 3 trail development. Loop 3 will be the most technical and challenging trail on the property, and it’ll be an exciting build for our crew.

- 2.3 miles of trail is complete!

- Trail development is focused on Loops 1 and 2, which are the beginner and intermediate trails off of Cement Plant Rd.

- Nearly all machine work is complete on Loop 1. In recent weeks, the crew has moved on to hand-building sections of trail along the steep, redwood-studded banks of Molino Creek and placing the finishing touches on the eastern portion of Loop 1.

- To ensure that these trails stand the test of time, our crew is going the extra mile to build these trails right the first time around. That means doing hard work like rock-armoring 18" below the trail surface, compacting rock and dirt over hundreds of feet of tread, and going back to redesign and restructure sections of trail that don't suit high moisture. Recent rain has helped us find these tricky spots.

- Up next: The crew will continue building the eastern half of Loop 2. Starting in May, the crew will build the gravel portion of Loop 1 and then bridge construction on the property.

- 1.5 miles of trail is complete!

- The crew has been breaking trail with the mini-excavator and following behind finish-shaping the trail with hand tools and renaturalizing.

- To date, the trail has included two serious rock armoring projects, one 60-foot retaining wall, and multiple switchbacks.

- Congressman Jimmy Panetta came out to tour the property and show his support.

• The Trail Crew always starts a project with a Pre-Construction meeting where they go over the plan for the project. This one was held at the Swanton Berry Farm on November 29th, 2021!

• The crew is started on the first loop adjacent to Davenport Landing and Swanton Berry Farm.

• This trail will be the gateway to the rest of the northern parcel in Phase I, featuring multi-use / adaptive-bike friendly access, and incredible views looking back toward the coast.

• The crew completed over 2,000 ft of new trail construction in the first week!