A Record-Breaking Dig Day

Written By Mark Moskowitz

On Saturday, February 8th, California State Parks and Mount Diablo Trails Alliance supported a record-breaking Dig Day with a focus on safer, better trails for park visitors and the environment.

129 volunteers restored 1.4 miles of Camel Rock Trail at Mount Diablo State Park in one day, which is unprecedented at this iconic park unit. That achievement eclipsed the prior record of 1.1 miles at the Diablo Ranch Dig Day just one month ago.

The momentum continues to grow as the standards-based Shared Stewardship model brings together amazing volunteers from the hiking, running and cycling trail user groups. The volunteers’ blend of teamwork, service and dedication has been truly inspirational, as they contribute to the greater good.

The model aims to achieve the main goals of the approved 2016 Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP) for Mount Diablo State Park, including regular trail maintenance and repair of the entire backcountry trail system, which boasts 52.5 miles of singletrack trails.

Since the Shared Stewardship model’s October 2023 inception, 9.3 miles of singletrack trails have been fully serviced by Dig Days. More than 800 volunteers have logged 4,500+ hours at Dig Day-related projects.

The Shared Stewardship model is firmly putting Gifford Pinchot’s words into action with meaningful impact:

“The greatest good for the greatest number [of people] in the long run.”

— Gifford Pinchot

Trails Are Common Ground
Numerous organizations supported the Camel Rock Dig Day with meaningful volunteer numbers, affirming that trails are common ground and important to so many. Special recognition is due:

  • The Athenian School

  • Brazen Racing

  • Monte Vista MTB Team

  • Scouting America - Troop 236

  • Scouting America - Troop 834

  • SRV MTB Team

Generous Raffle Goodness
Thank you so much to our local business partners for recognizing the students’ hard work by providing generous donations for a free raffle prize celebration. There were a lot of high-quality, useful components and accessories donated by:

  • Ibis Cycles

  • Prologue

  • Spank

  • Form Cycling

  • BTI

  • R&A Cycles

  • Giant Bicycles

  • California Bike and Snowboard

  • First Mile Cycle Works

  • Hank & Frank

Adding to the goodness, Dainty Donuts in Alamo again provided some tasty treats for everyone to enjoy.

We are so grateful for our Crew Captains
With the captains’ leadership, guidance and unwavering support, the Dig Day volunteers were able to achieve project goals safely and effectively. Special recognition is due:

Bruce Bilodeau, Carina Bilodeau, Pete Brown, Gintautas Budvytis, Paul Cardinet, Gary Dylina, Oliver Eldredge, Tom Gandesbery, Cavine Johnson, Luis Mendoza, Jeffrey Mulford, Bernard Smith, Mike Weiss and Travis Wooley

Photo Gallery
To see the Shared Stewardship model in action, please select the below weblink:

 Gallery: https://www.mountdiablotrailsalliance.org/photos

Next Dig Day
It is Saturday, March 22nd at Tassajara Creek + Bob’s Pond trails in the southern corridor of Mount Diablo State Park. 

Advance Registration will be capped at 150 Volunteers. Day-of Registration will be available starting at 1:00PM on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Join us. You will make a difference.

Register: https://www.mountdiablotrailsalliance.org/dig-days

Mark Moskowitz https://mountdiablotrailsalliance.org
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