Recap: 12/9/23 Soquel Demonstration Dig Day
Location: Soquel Demonstration State Forest // Weather: Mostly clear + a cold morning!
Volunteers: 60+ // Volunteer Hours: 360+ // Work: Drain improvements, brushing, downed tree removal, and light tread work.
Sponsored by: Trail Head Cyclery & Silicon Valley Mountain Bikers // Hospitality by: Kellys French Bakery, Ugly Mug Cafe, & Togos Scotts Valley
2023 Dig Days went out with a bang on Saturday as we had a huge group join us in Soquel Demonstration State Forest! We had lots of returning volunteers, as well as SCMTS members in attendance. The day started with a chilly morning circle-up, saved by hot coffee from Ugly Mug Cafe (we actually ran out of coffee for the first time in a long time, so sorry to anyone who missed out on it). After a quick briefing from Mati, Emma, and Drew crews headed out across the forest to their work sites.
Crews worked along Braille, Segment 1 of Flow, and the top of Sawpit. With limited soil moisture, the main focus of the day was brushing and drain improvements. Nearly every drain on Braille trail was cleared and sightlines are looking great. A couple of members of our crew were on saws to remove trees that had recently fallen on Braille and Sawpit. In a few sections along Braille, with especially deep braking bumps, we managed some smoothing out of the tread. We also had Trail Academy 222: Basic Trail Maintenance in session on the bottom segment of Sawpit Trail—they absorbed a bunch of information from Drew and then put it to the test as they finished the day with a big grade reversal and drain install. If you ride Braille this week you'll definitely notice some improvements!
And for thanks; thank you to all of the volunteers who came out, thank you to event sponsors Trail Head Cyclery and Silicon Valley Mountain Bikers, thank you to our hospitality sponsors Kellys French Bakery, Ugly Mug Cafe, and Togos Scotts Valley, and a bonus thank you to Matt from RideWrap for bringing soft beverages and additional raffle prizes!
SCROLL FOR SOME OF OUR FAVORITE PHOTOS. All Photos by Christine La.
The entire photo album can be found here.
