Trails & Pathways Subcommittee

Defunct

2009-10-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

The Trails & Pathways Subcommittee has been eliminated during a re-shuffling of boards and commission sub-committees. Trail work continues ... contact Craig Martin to help out!

August 4, 2009 - TAPS Meeting Minutes DRAFT

2009-08-17T16:28:00.000-07:00

TAPS Meeting Minutes - DRAFT
August 4, 2009
Fuller Lodge
12:00-1:00

Attending: Craig Martin, Janie O’Rourke, Greg Kendall, Sallye Sibbitt, Chris Stubben and Megan Tripp

Discussion items:

YMCA Youth Crews – Craig is working on the Youth Conservation Corps grant for next year. This YMCA Grant funds County trail projects and training. Past projects funded by the grant include the rebuilding of the fire line trail in Bayo Canyon, and the Tent Rocks Trail in Pueblo Canyon,

New projects being proposed for next grant period include the connection of the Perimeter Trail along the Quemazon residential area, a trail adjacent to the Tent Rocks in Pueblo Canyon, repairs of the upper tributary of Pueblo Canyon (behind the high school), and continued trail improvements to the Mitchell Trail (partially on Forest Service land). Another new proposed trail would be north of the Airport – the trail would also serve as a 10’ security buffer. This trail would eventually connect to the airport basin area to the east and the existing paved trail to the west. In the future a trail may connect from this mesa top trail down to the Tent Rocks Trail in Pueblo Canyon.

Rim Trail - The Los Alamos Canyon Rim Trail corridor will be approximately 14’ wide and will accommodate strollers, bikes, walkers, and runners.

Adopt–a-Trail – Greg Kendall has developed a site to be used for the adopt-a-trail program. It’s still being tweaked so Sallye and Janie will both try out the site to see how easy it is to use and to sign up for the adopt-a-trail program.

P&R Subcommittees – Megan reported that the P&R Board is still deciding about which of their subcommittees would be cut.

Bayo Canyon Adopt-A-Trail Page

2009-08-03T11:33:00.001-07:00

View Bayo Canyon Trail in a larger map

Bayo Canyon Trail
Length 3.2 miles
Elevation Gain 600 feet
Parking: At the Roundabout.
Used by: All Users.
Use: Heavy.
Adopt-A-Trail Volunteer: This trail (or parts of it) is available for a volunteer to adopt. Send an email to craig.martin@lacnm.us or call 663-1776 with the following information:

* Name of individual, organization, or business adopting the trail
* Name of the trail or trail segment you would like to adopt
* Contact person with name, email address, phone number

Narrative:
The Bayo Canyon Trail is in part a homestead route from the bottom of Bayo Canyon to the mesa tops in Los Alamos. The trail leaves the mesa top near the intersection of San ildefonso Road and Diamond Drive, travels along a narrow bench, then clings to the north wall of North Mesa as it drops to the canyon bottom. Old and more modern roads combine and the trail descends along the bottom of Bayo Canyon before crossing a low saddle and entering the Pueblo Canyon drainage. The all-weather road from New Mexico Highway 4 to Bayo Canyon is considered part of this trail.

Learn more about the Adopt-A-Trail program HERE.

Please enter trail reports and comments about this trail using the comments link below.

July 2009

2009-08-03T11:28:00.001-07:00

Meeting Canceled

June 2009 Minutes

2009-06-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

TAPS Minutes
23 June 2009
Meeting began at 12:00

Attending: Janie O'Rourke, Megan Tripp, Chris Stubben, Sallye Sibbitt, Craig Martin

Discussion items:

YMCA Youth Crews (working with direction from Craig) – There are 46 kids signed up for Craig’s Summer Trail Crews. They are currently working in Pueblo Canyon along the fire line near the Tent Rocks. The trail in this section will function as a loop trail, but in the future will be expanded to tie into the larger trail system.

Plutonium Catchment in Pueblo Canyon – There is a concern about elevated levels of plutonium in the runoff below the old landfill. A mitigation project by the County will construct a catchment or weir in Pueblo Canyon below the landfill outpour. To better blend with the natural environment, an effort will be made to construct the weir of natural materials such as basalt brought in from elsewhere or rock material from on site. Next year willows will be planted within the impoundment area to improve both the visual and performance of the weir.

Trail Crossing of NM502 – The connection of the Los Alamos Canyon Rim Trail with the trail system to the north side of NM502 will require at least one formal crossing of the highway. One trail crossing needs to be developed near the eastern area, east of where NM502 turns into Trinity Drive. A NMDOT project is currently being planned along this very section of NM502. Eastern area residents and members of East Park Pool have asked that any changes to NM502 should improve walking, biking and especially, the safety of crossing of NM502, and the expectation is that the trail crossing of NM502 could well be incorporated into their concept for the highway project. The crossing options include an overpass, an underpass, or an at-grade crossing with appropriate safety precautions incorporated into the design. Because overpasses and underpasses are very expensive and are often not used, according to the NMDOT, the NMDOT’s proposed project is looking at the at-grade alternatives. While TAPS views the underpass solution as a viable and even preferred alternative for a trail crossing, however, which ever alternative is chosen, TAPS strongly supports a road design that slows traffic speeds along this section of NM502. Slower speeds will improve the safety and comfort of all road users as well as safeguard the livability of the residential areas adjacent to NM502.

Los Alamos Canyon Rim Trail – The initial scratching in of the Los Alamos Canyon Rim Trail may begin early this summer. Eventually the trail will be a paved surface. An RFP or RFB still needs to be developed for the engineered sections of the trail. A State Parks Grant could be applied for and used for some of the trail construction. Chris will contact Tom Trowbridge of State Parks for further information.

Rendija Canyon Development – The transfer of the Rendija parcel has been pushed back to 2012, but the Parks Board might still meet to make a recommendation in July/August
regarding the future of Rendija Canyon. The county staff person for this is Paul Belson in CDD. The plans are that the canyon would remain recreational in use but that there will be more formal rules for areas of use.

Adopt-a-Trail Program – The adopt-a-trail program officially began on June 6, 2009 – National Trails Day. A dozen or so people turned out for the training required for the volunteers. After about an hour of slides and discussion, people met at the Mitchell Trail head for some hands-on training. The volunteers put in several new water bars and dips, as well as removed some high edges of the trail in order to minimize water erosion. Several requests were made to adopt various trails on the county system.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:55.

TAPS’ next meeting will be Tuesday July 7, 2009 at noon in Fuller Lodge.

May 2009 Minutes

2009-06-26T14:19:00.000-07:00

TAPS Minutes
Meeting 5 May 2009 Fuller Lodge
Meeting began at 12:00

Attending: Greg Kendall, Janie O'Rourke, Megan Tripp, Chris Stubben

Discussion items:

April Minutes Approved: With the addition of Chris Stubben as an attending subcommittee member.

Los Alamos Rim Trail: The Los Alamos Canyon Rim Trail was funded in the CIP process for the section to be built from the guard tower westward past the airport. At its west end near the eastern area there will need to be a safe road crossing. This trail crossing will be considered and designed as part of the SR502 work that is being planned from the Eastern area to Knecht.

Trail Management Plan: The Trail Management Plan will go to the Parks and Rec Board (?) in July.

PRB Report: There was no PRB report because the last meeting lacked the required forum.

Review of Adopt-a-Trail Program – TAPS members discussed 4 documents that Craig had sent out for review: Adopt a Trail maintenance Sheet: 10 Things You Can Do to Protect Your Adopted Trail, Adopt a Trail Guidelines, Adopt a Trail Information and Adoption Form, and Adopt a Trail Timeline. There was a discussion of what tools are appropriate or should be suggested as optional. It was decided that Craig’s training program should address that issue in more detail. The TAPS members voted (4 to 0) that the training should address the special techniques and sensitivities required in maintaining or modifying historic trails in order to preserve their historic integrity. The committee further recommended that historic trails or historic sections of trails needed to be clearly identified on the maps and in the adoption program literature so that all significant work done on historic trail sections will comply with preservation standards.

Regarding the question of having the adoption program with maps available on a web site was discussed. Greg is in the process of developing the site, which would include the capability for people to submit trail reports online. Greg hopes to have things up and running midsummer.
Craig will start publicity of the Adopt a Trail Program May 19th.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:55.

TAPS’ next meeting will be Tuesday, 2 June 2009 at noon in Fuller Lodge.

April 7th Draft Minutes

2009-04-13T16:10:00.000-07:00

Draft Minutes
TAPS Meeting 7 April 2009 Fuller Lodge
Meeting began at 12:00

Attending: Craig Martin, Greg Kendall,
Janie O'Rourke (Transportation Board Liaison)
Chris Stubben

Discussion items:

March Minutes Approved

New Voting Member – , who had been on TAPS as a representative of the T-Board, has been appointed to TAPS as a regular Board member.

Adopt-a-Trail – The Parks and Rec Board expressed support for the concept of the proposed Adopt-a-Trail program (ATP), so TAPS is moving forward to initiate the program this summer. TAPS decided that a good time to inaugurate the ATP program would be June 6th, coinciding with National Trails Day. The committee came up with 6 trails to be featured for adoption: Acid Canyon, Bayo Canyon, Ranch School, Perimeter, Mesa and Quemazon Trails. Some of these trails could be subdivided into shorter sections, and additional trails would be considered as requested.
Craig has developed a trail work presentation that will be shown in the spring to acquaint new ATP members with trail safety and trail responsibilities. Those who adopt a trail will submit a brief quarterly report on trail condition and usage. People who adopt a trail can have their name or name of their organization placed on the plastic trail sign. Greg Kendall will develop an interactive map on the web that shows the trail system as well as identifies volunteers that sign up for trail adoption. The map will also describe trail conditions, mileages, and allow people to comment on trails.

National Trails Day – National Trails Day is the first Saturday in June – June 6th this year - and will be used to kick-off our new Adopt-a-trail program. On June 6th, the public will be invited to a trail safety and maintenance course given by Craig Martin. At that event, the new Adopt-a-trail program will be described and individuals and groups will be able to sign up to adopt particular trails. The Bayo Canyon Trail may be the trail that is actually worked on during the June 6th inaugural event, and efforts will be made to develop this into a joint project with trail users from the Stables Association. Articles and other advertisements about the Adopt-a-Trail on National Trails Day event will go out at the end of May.

Summer Trail Work – Craig reported on this summer’s two trail work programs for youth. For the 11-17 year-olds there will be the Youth Environmental Services (YES). For the older youth there is the YCC program co-sponsored by the YMCA. This program will hire 8 youths from Española and 8 from Los Alamos. There will also be 2 adult leaders as part of the crew. The YCC projects may include building sections of the new LA Rim Trail, rebuilding the damaged Mitchell Trail switchbacks, contruction a new trail from the airport to Entrada, and rebuilding the bridge in Pueblo Canyon on the Ranch School Trail.

Reintroduction of Beavers - Santa Clara Pueblo has successfully reintroduced beavers into Santa Clara Canyon. It’s possible that the natural habitat in Pueblo Canyon could provide Los Alamos Canyon with a similar reintroduction opportunity.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:00.

TAPS’ next meeting will be Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at noon in Fuller Lodge.

March 3, 2009 Meeting Minutes

2009-03-26T11:31:00.001-07:00

Draft Minutes
TAPS Meeting 3 March 2009 Fuller Lodge
Meeting began at 12:00

Attending: Craig Martin, Greg Kendall, Sallye Sibbitt, Megan Tripp (Parks & Rec Liaison), (Transportation Board Liaison)

Discussion items:

Changes to the subcommittee guidelines – Megan reported from the P&R Board that the guidelines for the Subcommittees were being modified and sent out to the subcommittees for comment. The TAPS subcommittee reviewed the changes and made a motion to approve them with the following suggested amendments: Under TERMS - The tenure allowable for voting members should be 2 two-year terms not the single 1 two-year term. UNDER STAFF LIAISON – The minutes should be maintained by Parks Division staff, not taken by the Parks Division staff. Motion passed 3 to 0.

TAPS voting members –According to the guidelines, the Board Members, including the P&R liaison, and the Staff liaison are all voting members. The liaison from T-Board is not a voting member. , who has been representing the T-Board, will re apply to TAPS as a regular Board member.

Los Alamos Canyon Rim Trail as CIP Proposal – The 2 Los Alamos Canyon Rim Trail CIP proposals fared very well in the final February 5th CIP process deliberations. The CIP phase II project: the actual building of the trail from Fire Station #2 (across from airport) to just west of the old Guard Tower, was scored third from the top. The study of the crossing of NM502, a CIP phase I project, rated 4th from the top.

Los Alamos Canyon Rim Trail south of Trinity Place – Greg reported that the latest Boyer plan no longer includes the secondary trail below the paved trail. He said that was more realistic, because the lower trail to the south, would have been on DOE land. If there is going to be the one paved path we need to make sure that it is the recommended width of 8’-12’ for a recreational trail.

West Jemez By-pass –Greg Kendall reported that the County Council voted 7-0 to remove the W. Jemez Bypass Road from the CIP projects and to close the contract. A second motion for the County to acquire the easement for the W Jemez Bypass road also passed. This action will better protect the connections of the Devaney/Bell/perimeter trails to the LA Trail system.

Adopt-a-Trail – Craig supported the idea of establishing an Adopt-a-Trail program. TAPS would develop the program and see how well it works and whether or not it would be sustainable under his and the subcommittee’s work schedule. The volunteers would sign up in the spring and have a work and safety training session. Greg offered to develop an interactive map that could enable volunteers to sign up for trail adoption and allow people to comment on trails. Janie will write up a proposal and send it out to TAPS members for comment. It will include an example of an Adopt-a-Trail program application with a brief description of the initial ideas for the program design and purpose. (From last month’s discussion: The purpose would be to help maintain the County trail system, involve the community, teach trail work techniques; to assure that all changes to the trail system meet the county standards and follow the trails management plan.)

VolksMarch – Sallye Sibbitt brought up the idea of promoting the LA Trail system to hiking groups outside of Los Alamos. One international walking group is the Volksmarch. The group sponsors organized hikes in areas around the country, offering patches or pins for each event. Sallye will further investigate the idea.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:10.

TAPS’ next meeting will be Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at noon in Fuller Lodge.

TAPS Meeting 6 January 2009

2009-01-16T16:17:00.000-08:00

TAPS Meeting 6 January 2009 in the Throne Room at Fuller Lodge.

Meeting began at 12:00

Attendance:
Craig Martin
Megan Tripp (Parks & Rec Liaison)
Greg Kendall
Dick Opsahl
Sallye Sibbitt
Janie O'Rourke (Transportation Board Liaison)
Chris Stubben

Discussion items:

Trails Management Plan – The Trails Management Plan will incorporate the Policy Plan (precede the body of the plan) as well as the Trail Standards (in the appendix) – all will be part of a single document. A motion was made to approve the revised Trails Management Plan, including changes discussed. It was approved 6-0. It will now go to the Parks Board for approval.

Los Alamos Canyon Rim Trail as CIP Proposal - The Los Alamos Canyon Rim Trail CIP proposal – pase 1 and phase 2 - went before the Parks & Rec Board to get their sponsorship or support. There were many other CIP projects before the Parks Board. The top 3 projects rated by the Parks Board were: Club House renovations, this was the highest rated and will be a sponsored project by the P-Board. 2nd was the LA Canyon Rim Trail – It will be supported by the P-Board; and 3rd was the WR Cañada del Buey – supported by the P-Board.

West Jemez By-pass – The plan to build the section of the West Jemez By-pass that heads SW from the bridge intersection is still moving forward. The state will give 2 million dollars but the project will cost 10 million dollars. A Science Center is going to be built by LANL, along the already built section of By-pass road that goes passed the bottom of the ski area. However, the unbuilt road section between the bridge and the ski-hill section will disturb the Los Alamos Canyon Rim as well as destroy or negatively impact the trails that pass through this area. A motion was made to send a vote of disapproval of the current design and alignment of the remaining section of West Jemez By-pass road because of the adverse impact to trails and open space. The vote in support of the motion against the West Jemez By-pass, passed 6 to 0.

This was Dick Osahl’s last meeting – his term expires. He was thanked for all his hard work, which was greatly appreciated by all. TAPS will need to find a new member to take Dick’s place.

TAP’s next meeting will be February 3, 2009.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:15.