RESULTS: Twenty-one NMVFO volunteers along with four personnel from Albuquerque’s Open Space Division built at least 2/10 mile of trail through a heavily forested area to intersect with the popular Ponderosa Loop. As shown in some or the photos, this work included using pick mattocks and Pulaskis to chop and uproot numerous Gambel Oak and other tree trunks. This project completed a 3-year effort to build this 1.2-mile trail, to be named Alligator Alley in the future because of the distinctive bark of many of the adjacent Junipers.
Description: Albuquerque’s Open Space Division maintains five areas on the east side of the Sandia and Manzanita Mountains. The largest of these is the Juan Tomas Open Space, which encompasses 1,290 acres of primarily pinon-juniper and ponderosa forest growing at elevations up to 7,760 feet. Join us as we continue building a new trail to eventually replace an old eroded route. The work area will be about a mile hike across level terrain from the parking lot. An Open Space crew will have already marked the new trail corridor with pin flags and chain-sawed any large trees. Using pick mattocks, McLeods, Pulaskis, loppers, hand saws, and shovels, we will clear out smaller vegetation and excavate a smooth well-drained tread for hikers, mountain bikes, and occasional horses. We may also build some rock retaining walls if needed.
Preparations: Wear long pants, sturdy boots or work shoes (no soft shoes or sandals), sun glasses, or other eye protection. We’ll be working in only partial shade, so wear a hat and put on some sunscreen. Bring work or gardening gloves if you have them; otherwise, loaners will be available. Also bring a day pack with plenty of water or other drinks, snacks or light lunch, and a rain jacket or poncho (especially if the monsoon season will be active).
Directions: From Albuquerque, take the Tijeras exit (#175) from I-40 and drive south on Highway 337 for 9 miles (bypassing Juan Tomas Road, which leads to a village). Turn east (left) on Oak Flat Road and continue about 3 miles (past a dirt parking area with a gate) and turn into the next gravel parking lot on the left side of the road as shown in this satellite view. Please try to arrive No Later Than 8:30 AM. There will be two rosters to sign: one for the Open Space Division and other for NMVFO.
Difficulty: 
Group Size: 20. If the project is full, please email the project leader to be put on a wait list.
Cost: Free!
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project. On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.
