Camel Rock Trail - Extraordinary Efforts Overcome Cold, Rain and Mud

On January 6, 2024, California State Parks, in partnership with Mount Diablo Trails Alliance as a promotional supporter, hosted a Dig Day on Camel Rock Trail at Mount Diablo State Park. Twenty-eight (28) volunteers of all ages and trail user interests joined, helping repair storm-damaged trail tread, one (1) minor landslide section, and two (2) creek crossing washouts.

Visit our Photos and Videos webpages for highlights from this important Dig Day. Learn more in our Blog below.

Dig Days are designed to teach volunteers how to enhance the park experience for all users by participating in trail maintenance and repairs that promote Safety, Preservation and Equitable Access. All work is conducted in accordance to California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Trails Handbook standards/best practices and the approved 2016 Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP) for Mount Diablo State Park.

On Camel Rock Trail, five (5) teams of volunteers tackled a diverse set of project mileposts, which all were completed. One determined team safely transported rock and gravel to designated work sites. A second team repaired a minor landslide area, constructing a rock crib wall to reduce water erosion risk near the trail’s outslope.

Another determined team built a closed rock culvert at a major creek crossing washout, which had presented medium-to-high safety or injury risks for trail users. A collaborative and careful team repaired a section of storm-damaged trail tread in a steep, rocky area, and they also constructed two water knicks to reduce erosion or rutting risk during heavy rains.

Lastly, a motivated team constructed an open rock culvert at another creek crossing washout. That effort was quite impressive given much of the work was conducted during the height of the rain and sleet storm. The conditions were intense, but so were both the dedication and teamwork of that crew.

Overall, the efforts of all five (5) teams were extraordinary, especially given the incremental challenges presented by the cold, rain and mud. At the lunch break, there were presentations by both California State Parks and community officials. Both the messaging and pizza/cupcakes energized the volunteers to finish the Dig Day and join future Trails Stewardship events, as the Shared Stewardship model gains momentum.

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The Dig Days schedule for February - May is available on our Dig Day page.