Project Links
Repair Spanish Bottom Trail
Canyonlands National Park » Repair Spanish Bottom Trail » Document List
This trail provides access into the Doll House area of the Maze district from the Colorado River bottom. This area is recommended wilderness and has over 10,000 visitors each year. Commercial as well as private boaters routinely rely on this access. Inability to perform routine maintenance, precipitation, and visitor use has caused the trail to degrade in numerous locations as noted in FMSS condition assessments.
Trail maintenance work conducted shall conform with agency policies regarding wilderness management. Reconstruction efforts will be limited to hand tools such as picks, shovels, rock bars, rakes and mcleods. All efforts will focus on the minimal amount required to achieve acceptable results. Rolling dips, grade reversals and out sloping techniques will be implemented where possible to minimize resource impacts as well as to reduce structures needed. Rock, gravel and soil from within the trail corridor will be utilized. The trail will remain open during reconstruction and all efforts will be made to assure visitor safety. Objectives are to bring this trail up to the physical standard needed to support the anticipated volumes of use so that an annual maintenance program can then sustain the system.
A section of the trail known as the Spanish Steps is a historic resource with at least 100 years of documented use. An in-kind method of repair will be implemented here to protect the integrity of the historical feature. All stabilization and repairs to this section of trail will be photographed, measured, and documented within completion reports following the project. The Trails Coordinator will ensure that these reports are completed, archived, and on file as needed for review. Work will be administered in keeping with approved resource and wilderness management plan requirements. Stabilization efforts will be limited to in-kind methods using hand tools such as picks, shovels, rock bars, rakes and mcleods. No power tools of any kind will be used. Crews will not attempt to redesign or alter the structure in any way that would affect the individual character of the trail. Techniques and equipment used will be the minimum necessary to stabilize the trail. The existing material that has sloughed downhill will be utilized in the reconstruction. The trail will remain open during repair and all efforts will be made to assure visitor safety. The objective is to increase this trail segment's ability to withstand use.
Details of the proposed work are included in the list below.
1. Details: Social trailing occurring mainly at river bottom, there are also a few areas on the steep section needing work: a total of 100ft. x 18in. wide.
Corrective Action: Using existing material on site to cover and obliterate braided trails.
2. Details: Trail hazards include loose material and dangerous washouts, a total of 500 ft. All are located on the steep section.
Corrective Action: Stabilize and repair tread surface using native material (stone) located within and alongside the trail corridor.
3. Details: Existing steps are collapsing on the steep section from river bottom to sign kiosk 20, and are in need of reconstruction.
Corrective Action: Using native material, rebuild structures with overlapping or rip rap technique.
4. Details: Approximately 40 erosion control structures need to be repaired or rebuilt. All are located on the steep descent to river bottom.
Corrective Action: Rebuild checks utilizing native material (stone) located on and around the trail.
5. Details: Eighty (80) retainer bars are completely washed out and in need of repair throughout trail.
Corrective Action: Reconstruct bars using native material on site.
Trail maintenance work conducted shall conform with agency policies regarding wilderness management. Reconstruction efforts will be limited to hand tools such as picks, shovels, rock bars, rakes and mcleods. All efforts will focus on the minimal amount required to achieve acceptable results. Rolling dips, grade reversals and out sloping techniques will be implemented where possible to minimize resource impacts as well as to reduce structures needed. Rock, gravel and soil from within the trail corridor will be utilized. The trail will remain open during reconstruction and all efforts will be made to assure visitor safety. Objectives are to bring this trail up to the physical standard needed to support the anticipated volumes of use so that an annual maintenance program can then sustain the system.
A section of the trail known as the Spanish Steps is a historic resource with at least 100 years of documented use. An in-kind method of repair will be implemented here to protect the integrity of the historical feature. All stabilization and repairs to this section of trail will be photographed, measured, and documented within completion reports following the project. The Trails Coordinator will ensure that these reports are completed, archived, and on file as needed for review. Work will be administered in keeping with approved resource and wilderness management plan requirements. Stabilization efforts will be limited to in-kind methods using hand tools such as picks, shovels, rock bars, rakes and mcleods. No power tools of any kind will be used. Crews will not attempt to redesign or alter the structure in any way that would affect the individual character of the trail. Techniques and equipment used will be the minimum necessary to stabilize the trail. The existing material that has sloughed downhill will be utilized in the reconstruction. The trail will remain open during repair and all efforts will be made to assure visitor safety. The objective is to increase this trail segment's ability to withstand use.
Details of the proposed work are included in the list below.
1. Details: Social trailing occurring mainly at river bottom, there are also a few areas on the steep section needing work: a total of 100ft. x 18in. wide.
Corrective Action: Using existing material on site to cover and obliterate braided trails.
2. Details: Trail hazards include loose material and dangerous washouts, a total of 500 ft. All are located on the steep section.
Corrective Action: Stabilize and repair tread surface using native material (stone) located within and alongside the trail corridor.
3. Details: Existing steps are collapsing on the steep section from river bottom to sign kiosk 20, and are in need of reconstruction.
Corrective Action: Using native material, rebuild structures with overlapping or rip rap technique.
4. Details: Approximately 40 erosion control structures need to be repaired or rebuilt. All are located on the steep descent to river bottom.
Corrective Action: Rebuild checks utilizing native material (stone) located on and around the trail.
5. Details: Eighty (80) retainer bars are completely washed out and in need of repair throughout trail.
Corrective Action: Reconstruct bars using native material on site.