View from the future trail. Elev-6100′
The future Kings Canyon to Ash Canyon Trail (KC/ACT) will be a seven mile non-motorized multi-use trail designed for mountain biking and running, and managed for hiking and equestrian use.
Chas Macquarie (Lumos & Assoc.) and Toby Welborn survey the Ash Creek bridge crossing.
After we work out a few details with the City (we’re reviewing the final draft of a cooperative agreement between Muscle Powered and Carson City) we can start construction on the City owned land while we work toward meeting the environmental requirements on the U.S.F.S managed land. We believe this arrangement will speed up the completion date of the trail. By the time trail crews reach the U.S.F.S. boundary, the NEPA process should be complete and we can continue building through to our goal of reaching Kings Canyon.
Juan Guzman (w/camera) Chas Macquarie, Mark Kimbrough, and Dan Morris (USFS) discuss Ash Creek bridge crossing.
Two thirds of the KC/ACT is on land managed by the U.S.F.S., while one third of the alignment is on land owned by Carson City. Our only requirement before construction can begin on City land is to conduct a cultural survey, and in November 2010, Vidler Water’s archeologist Jim Hutchins generously donated his time to perform the survey. Thanks Jim! When it comes to federal land though, we have to comply with the NEPA. And while the cultural survey is one component of NEPA, the other studies we need to complete are hydrology, wildlife, and botanical.
Archeologist Dr. Jim taking notes.
Kelly, Natalie and Ann discussing plant identification.
On Friday, June 10th, I guided U.S Forest Service botanists Kelly and Natalie across the KC/ACT alignment for the botanical survey. Joining us were Carson City Natural Resources Specialist Ann Bollinger, and Muscle Powered hike leader and board member Donna Inverson.
The trail will pass just below the big boulder.
It takes quite a long time to cross the alignment. When we mapped the trail in June of 2010 it took us six hours to cross. To prepare for the upcoming surveys we re-flagged the area and it took us 11 hours to cross. The new deadfall and the rapid re-vegetation make this a difficult area to cross. Fortunately the “ologists” haven’t found anything that will require us to reroute any sections yet.
Kelly, Natalie and Donna.
We hope to start construction on the KC/ACT at the end of June or beginning of July. With all volunteer labor it will take us approximately five years to reach Kings Canyon. To achieve an earlier completion date we are pursuing grants that will fund a professional trail crew to assist in trail construction.
Tank, Kayla and Amy at the trail’s high point: 6700′
If you would like to become involved with this project please contact me at: jeffpotter@musclepowered.org.
This project wouldn’t happen without the assistance and support from our outstanding partners and friends:
Amy Potter
Anne Macquarie
Chas Macquarie
Steve Hartman
Howard Riedl
Janice Brod
Roger Moelendorf
Juan Guzman
Ann Bolinger
Vern Krahn
Jim Hutchins
Toby Welborn
Amanda Garcia
Lester FitzHenry
Jeff Moser
Oliver Lieder
Keith Conrad
Alex Kirkpatrick
Josh Lynn
Ward Knous
Marcus Marcheggar
Jenny Scanland
Pat Glancy
Max Jones
Dr. Sandra Koch
Vdler Water
Poedunks
Carson City Runners
Sagebrush Stompers
IMBA
Carson City-Open Space Advisory Committee
Board of Supervisors
Parks and Recreation Commission
U.S. Forest Service-Genny Wilson
Dan Morris
Tank, Kayla, Zuesa, Bogart & Percy
This trail wouldn’t be possible without Tank.