The Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail |
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- The Mokelumne Trailbusters - |
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Who We Are ...
WHO: The Mokelumne Trailbusters is a dedicated group of trail volunteers managed by East Bay Municipal Utility District.
WHAT: The group is involved with three diverse land stewardship projects in Amador and Calaveras Counties, including construction of a thirty (30) mile segment of the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail; planting native trees and shrubs at Pardee and Camanche Reservoir Recreation Areas; and participating in the Mokelumne River clean-up in the Pardee/Camanche area. Typically, during a Trailbuster Work Day, the Ranger(s) shares his/her knowledge of the nearby natural and cultural features. In addition, the Trailbuster Work Schedule includes outings such as Bald Eagle tours; Wildflower hikes; the annual California Trail Days hike/ride, volunteers awards ceremony, and other activities.
WHY: Volunteers are pleasantly surprised by how good they feel both physically, and mentally, after spending the day working with great people in a beautiful setting on such a worthwhile project. The Mokelumne Trailbusters are taking advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to blaze a trail that will be here for generations to come. They will be able to say, "I helped build this trail." Of course, the best part is that they get to use the trail when it is completed.
WHEN: Volunteers meet every two weeks throughout the year. Projects last from four (4) hours (May through September) to six (6) hours (October through April). The primary focus of project work is on construction of the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail. Projects will be performed in a variety of weather conditions, including light rain.
BRING: Participants should bring comfortable, yet sturdy shoes, work clothes (long pants), lunch, water, gloves, a backpack, insect repellent and sunscreen. EBMUD will provide tools and training for all volunteer projects. No power tools, alcohol or pets are allowed.
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In
1994, the Mokelumne Trailbusters received the Take Pride
in California award for outstanding volunteer
stewardship of California Natural and Cultural
Resources. Gail Wilson, California's First Lady,
presented the award. The Take Pride in California
program is a cooperative project of the California
Department of Parks and Recreation and American Express
Philanthropic Program. In April of 1999 the Mokelumne
Trailbusters & EBMUD were co-winners for the Trails
Program Award presented by California State Parks at the
annual trails conference.
Volunteers
receive a Mokelumne Monitor Newsletter, and those who
contribute 20 hours or more in a year receive a
certificate of appreciation and a volunteer pass (which
entitles them to a 50% discount on entrance fees at
EBMUD’s Pardee and Camanche Recreation Areas) and a
complimentary one-year trail use permit. 
TRAIL
CONSTRUCTION : Generally, trail work
consists of using various hand tools to dig, move or
remove soil, rock, stumps, boulders and vegetation in
order to construct trail tread and structures. Trail
construction work is strenuous and volunteers should be
prepared for this. Very often volunteers must hike into
remote work sites and must be able to deal with the
elements. Working for just part of the day can pose some
logistical problems. Participants should plan ahead and
make prior arrangements if they need to leave early.
Activities are described in a six (6) minute
Trailbusters Video. A copy of the video on the Mokelumne
Coast To Crest Trail and the Mokelumne Trailbusters is
available from the following agencies: EBMUD (209)
772-8260.