By Gail Allen
I am totally jazzed that the Forest Service has given us permission to proceed with the major trail maintenance and rock removal that has been needed for so long on the Barr Trail between Barr Camp and the timberline. We are in the process of working out the details with our contractor, Cindy Duncan of “Garden Art". This project will take place during a three week period starting July 9th. It is amazing to me, that Fred Barr built the whole trail in only four years. It takes us so much time and effort just to maintain it. I sometimes forget that the trail slowly eroded for 80-something years without maintenance. Hopefully, the work we are doing now will last for another 80-something years.
This year’s work on Barr Trail will be financed by the runners’ donation fund maintained by the Triple Crown of Running, and by proceeds from last year’s Barr Trail Mountain Race. The outpouring of money and support from the running community over the years has been wonderful. Certainly we would have accomplished very little without it.
Did anyone notice, how great the trail looks between Barr Camp, and the turn-off to bottomless pit? FOTP sponsored one project day last summer, to remove rocks and trim branches. However, the good folks at Barr Camp did the bulk of the work. Alas, Molly is gone. But, Stephanie promises to carry on with maintaining water bars, pruning, etc.
The section above that, up to the A-frame has not had much maintenance in a long time, if ever. This is where the rockwork will be done. Our plan is to perform a major overhaul of the area, and then it will be easier to ‘maintain’. We are looking for a couple of new “Trail Dogs” to adopt this section once the heavy work is done. Any takers?
Becoming a Pikes Peak Trail Dog brings many benefits including: training, use of tools, a great T-shirt, room and board at Barr Camp or free access on the Pikes Peak Highway, whichever is applicable. Trail work is a great workout, and provides an incredible sense of satisfaction and ownership.
All the other sections of the trail are currently adopted. Many thanks to all of the faithful ‘old dogs’ who have been keeping the rest of the trail in top shape. And thanks also to the ‘new dogs’, (puppies?) who have just taken it on. Here they are in descending order from the summit:
