Bird Mountain: May Trail Crew Update

May brought continued progress on the Bird Mountain section, despite weather-related delays and challenging terrain.

A significant milestone for the month was the deployment of a newly lifted side-by-side vehicle, which will help improve access and support trail construction efforts moving forward. The crew transported the vehicle to the project area, where local landowner generously agreed to provide a secure staging location near the new access point. This arrangement will help streamline operations and improve efficiency as work continues on the mountain.

Rain limited trail construction opportunities during the final week of the month, but once conditions improved the crew returned to the field and focused on a particularly challenging section of trail. Work began in a narrow, steep drainage where constructing a sustainable trail required extensive rock work and careful engineering.

Approximately 50 feet of new trail was completed, including five stone steps and pavers. To establish a safe and durable tread on slopes exceeding 45 degrees, the crew constructed an eight-foot crib wall to support the trail surface. Large pavers were then carefully moved into place to create a stable crossing through the drainage. Before construction could begin, the access road also required clearing, with crew members removing fallen trees and debris using chainsaws and hand tools.

In addition to field work, the crew spent time assisting with website updates and other administrative projects in the office, supporting broader organizational efforts while weather conditions limited construction activities.

The combination of technical trail construction, infrastructure improvements, and equipment deployment has positioned the project for continued advancement in the months ahead.