2024 Upgrades at Fourth of July

2024 Upgrades at Fourth of July


Mid-summer is not the time most Nordic Club members are thinking about the Fourth of July Trail System, but it is the period when the Club and the Forest Service makes upgrades. This summer some upgrades were made. Others are in progress, but will be postponed until after the fire danger abates Volunteer crews have worked to clear trails, remove trash and level a couple gates.
Some may have read in the paper that the vault toilets at the parking lot were replaced with a new improved unit. It is a single structure that houses both the men’s and women’s facilities. As of last Wednesday (July 31st) the parking lot was still closed for ramps to the restroom are still under construction.
The annual assault on the gate and barrier system protecting the non-motorized trails occurred again this spring with attacks on the cement bollards with sledge hammers. In response, additional bollards were cast in place to send the message that such vandalism will be met with larger barriers. We are also working with the Forest Service later this summer to level additional gates that have been pushed down by winter snowpack.


Damaged bollard Larger ten inch diameter recast bollard


The bench shelter at Treetop View has been completed and an additional bench shelter was built at The Benches. The structure at the Benches will require a few additional improvements. The plan is to build benches like the one at Treetop View and place these in the structures at The Benches.


Shelter at Treetop View Shelter and Bench at Treetop View Shelters at The Benches


During the spring and early summer work, crews have cleared most of the trails, while the Backcountry Horsemen cleared and brushed Jannettes Jaunt.