Trailwork with Mount Wilson Bicycling Association (MWBA)

From equestrians to hikers and mountain bikers, these trail work groups keep a variety of trail users in mind when repairing current trails and designing new ones.Many of these groups are non-profit organizations and operated by volunteers. Most are funded by donations and grants.  Some may have contracts with the USFS to maintain certain areas, while others may have contracts for new trail building.Finding a local group to dig with can be very rewarding and challenging. Your effort spent in the sun and heat will help you appreciate the little things, like how the yucca spikes are trimmed along the single track and vegetation brushed to improve line of sight.If you've recreated in the Angeles National Forest in the past 34 years, you've most certainly hiked trails maintained by the stewards of Mount Wilson Bicycling Association.Their hard work has been enjoyed by all trail users in the Angeles National Forest since the first spade broke ground back in '86. MWBA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization run by volunteers. They work in partnership with the USFS to help maintain trails and educate trail users in the San Gabriel Mountains.Join MWBA every third weekend for a day in the dirt, maintaining multi-use trails in the Angeles National Forest!  New volunteers are asked to arrive early to sign liability paperwork. At 8 AM, the volunteers will have a safety briefing, review the day's work, and be assigned into groups. Each group will have a designated trail boss to guide volunteers on tasks for the each section of trail. Whether it's brushing the overgrown vegetation or benching the tread, each task will have lasting impact for trail users to recreate sustainably.The main goal is that you keep yourself and those around you safe. Appropriate safety gear is required before heading out. I lean toward a comfy pair of denim you don't mind riding in, the same for your closed-toed shoes, a long-sleeved sun shirt, neck gaiter, full-fingered gloves, and eye protection. Generally, the trail building crews will provide hard hats and gloves, but it's best to check beforehand. Proper gear will help with protection, so don't skimp!Dependent on location, volunteers will bike or hike to the worksite. For bike-in days, seasoned trail bosses will tow a BOB trailer packed with larger tools while smaller tools can be carried in backpacks. When the worksite closer to the staging location, volunteers will hike in with a tool or two in hand. You can visit MWBA's website here for more information on volunteering and what to expect in more detail.Trailwork is an opportunity to play in the dirt with rugged tools, such as the McLeod, STIHL electric trimmers, and DeWALT loppers. IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) Trail Solutions and published an excellent field guide for planning and maintaining sustainable trails.All of these excite my interest in tools and nature. Ain't nothing better than hauling debris over the side of the singletrack while paving the way for all trail users to recreate and enjoy nature. Remember to yield to hikers and equestrians when mountain biking on shared trails, and be sure to pack a bell!

I want to give a special thank you to Road Runner Bag's CEO Ester. She shares her heart with the Angeles National Forest and all of its trail users and has equally dedicated her time as Vice President of the Mount Wilson Bicycling Association.Thanks to the talented photographer, Traece. Your photos effortlessly capture the mood of a solid trail stewardship day.