What a Month! Oak Knoll Renewal. Schedule Changes Just Announced. WHY Factor Unveiled.
Lots to cover in this month’s Blog. There is the multi-event, Volunteer-powered effort at Oak Knoll Trail, which even overcame an atmospheric river to repair and enhance the trail. Next, location changes have been announced to the upcoming Dig Days schedule to accommodate rainy season. Lastly, check out the WHY Factor short-film series, unveiled earlier this month. The WHY Factor showcases the Volunteers, who are the soul and backbone of our shared stewardship model with California State Parks.
Oak Knoll Trail Renewal Is Complete
During the month of February, California State Parks, in partnership with Mount Diablo Trails Alliance as a promotional supporter, hosted a major Dig Day and two (2) Finishing Touches trail events on Oak Knoll Trail at Mount Diablo State Park.
The net result was positive and meaningful for all park visitors. 74 Volunteers or Trail Champions participated in the related trail events, contributing 400+ hours to repair and enhance the trail. So much gratitude for their dedication, teamwork and service.
This glorious trail also was renewed with soul … no machines were used. Plus, Oak Knoll Trail now is in full compliance with California DPR Trails Handbook and the 2016 Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP) for Mount Diablo State Park. Such a beautiful combination of human energy and proven techniques got this ambitious project done with a focus on Safety, Preservation and Equitable Access.
Please stay off of Oak Knoll Trail through February 25th to allow for the new tread to fully firm after heavy rains. The enhanced 36-inch-wide tread, which complies with California DPR Trails Handbook regulations for multi-use trails, was painstakingly established with a full bench cut that revealed hardened surface. No fill was used to enhance the treadway. As a result, it is built-to-last, and its smooth 5% outsloped tread is designed to sheet surface water for safety and biodiversity protection.
Location Changes Announced for Upcoming Dig Days Schedule
At Mount Diablo State park, soil conditions on trails above elevation of 2,000 feet behave much better during and after heavy rains, and this dynamic was on full display during the February 4th Dig Day at Oak Knoll Trail. Despite a fierce atmospheric river storm, 49 Trail Champions cut a full bench across more than 0.50 miles of the trail’s length. Both tools and boots did not severely clump up with mud.
As a result, the Sunday, March 24th Dig Day location has been changed to Upper Summit Trail above the Green Ranch junction water tank. Originally, the location had been Lower Summit Trail. That trail now is scheduled to be repaired and enhanced on Saturday, May 4th.
There is no location change related to the April 14th Dig Day, which is scheduled to be held at Upper Summit Trail.
For more information, please visit our Dig Days webpage:
https://www.mountdiablotrailsalliance.org/dig-days
WHY Factor
To celebrate the engine and backbone of our shared stewardship model with California State Parks, we unveiled the WHY Factor short-film series earlier this month.
At Dig Days, we simply ask Volunteers or Trail Champions … WHY Are You Here? Listen to their stories. In their own words. Join us to share yours.
https://www.mountdiablotrailsalliance.org/whyfactor