Trail Building Projects

1. Maintenance: Now that the new trail segment has been packed down, we will improve the drainage and tread, including widening some areas, as well as minor brush removal. The segment is currently closed for wet weather. [Completed March 10].

2. New Trail Construction: With the completion of the Arastradero Preserve Trails Master Plan, we are ready to begin work a reroute project on the other steep section of Acorn Trail. This segment travels between the old barn site at the top of Meadowlark Trail and Sobey Pond on Corte Madera Trail. The current trail is extremely steep and very difficult to traverse even under dry conditions. The new trail will feature a much gentler grade as it switches down the side of the ridge, traveling to the northeast of the existing trail. See the Arastradero 2001 Project Information Sheet for more information.

3. Fall Maintenance: In conjunction with REI and the Arastradero Preserve Stewardship Project, we are restoring an unwanted trail to a natural state and improving a segment of the northern Acorn loop.

Background for maintenance project: We rerouted a section of the steep and eroded Acorn Trail, near the Corte Madera Trail, in 2000. The Acorn Trail is a primary loop trail for the Preserve, but many sections are steep and badly eroded. The segment is gentler than the existing one, and takes hikers, bicyclists and equestrians through pleasant oak and bay woodland, rather than straight down a steep hill.
           Note: Poison oak is present on this project and some of the work involves pruning back or removing poison oak. We will, however, run a PO-free trail crew.

Directions: From I-280, take Page Mill Road west and turn right on Arastradero Road. Go 1/4 mile to the Preserve parking lot to sign in. Additional parking is available along Arastradero Road between Page Mill Road and the Palo Alto City Limits sign and at the Page Mill Park & Ride at I-280.

March 10, 2001 - Saturday (rain date: March 17)

Activity: 1) repairing tread; clearing brush and a small amount of poison oak; and
2)new trail construction on a segment of Acorn Trail; clearing brush, some construction. Poison oak present. [Completed]

April 22, 2001 - Sunday

Earth Day/California Trail Days! Activity: new trail construction on Acorn trail; treadwork; clearing brush; Possible trail maintenance elsewhere. See flyer for more details. [Completed]
Photos available!

May 12, 2001 - Saturday

Activity: Switchback and bridge construction on a segment of Acorn Trail - 25 volunteer maximum for trail work; additional volunteers needed for habitat restoration. [Completed]

June 2, 2001 - Saturday

National Trails Day! Activity: complete new trail construction on a segment of Acorn Trail; tread construction and habitat restoration. [Completed]

June 15, 2001 - Wednesday

Install a culvert at the bottom of the Acorn reroute. [Completed]

Oct. 27, 2001 - Saturday

REI Community Service Day! Activity: Close an unwanted trail and restore to a natural state; improve a segment of the northern Acorn Trail loop. Please see the flyer for more details.

     An aerial photo of the 2000 project (also the site of the March 10, 2001 project), including trail names and project features; and aerial photo and topographical map of the 2001 project, including trail names, are available. The City of Palo Alto's site includes a map of the preserve. You may also wish to see a MapQuest map of the Preserve and surrounding area.
     Further details on the 2000 project in the Arastradero 2000 Project Information Sheet

     

Copyright © Trail Center. All rights reserved.

Please contact the Web Manager for corrections or comments.