Last year’s winter storms demonstrated how destructive winter storms can be to trails. The unprecedented deluge caused slides, toppled thousands of trees and disrupted access to preserves and trails for visitors and Midpen staff. Though no two years are the same in storm intensity or damage, Midpen field staff take preemptive measures to dampen the effects of the rainy season.
Starting in the fall, trail crews typically transition from large-scale trail repair, maintenance and construction projects to annual “trail checks” in anticipation of the coming winter storms.
Crews aim to inspect drainage features along every trail, road and parking area that Midpen maintains to ensure water runs where it is supposed to during storm events. This work is a critical step in preventing erosion and preserving stability. As crews come across locations that require attention, field staff tackle tasks that can be completed with hand tools, like cleaning silt and debris from culverts or scraping trails to improve water flow. Issues that require more extensive equipment, such as culvert replacements, are often handled as full-scale projects later in the year.
Crews prioritize known problem areas – sections of trails, culverts or other features that are prone to failure and damage, high-use trails and crucial emergency access roads.
With the arrival of winter rains, trail crews watch and learn how water actually moves along trails, determine if drainage features are working as predicted and identify areas of improvement for the future.
Whether we are in for a quiet winter or a series of intense storms this year, we have Midpen’s field crews to thank for their tireless work maintaining the trails that connect us to our open spaces.
As rain continues to fall this year, keep an eye on our trail conditions page for the most up-to-date information on trail and preserve closures as you plan your visits.