In the depths of fall, a hardy crew of eleven—two Ascend Wilderness guides, nine volunteers from across the Bay Area, North Coast, and Central Valley, and one Shasta-Trinity U.S. Forest Service representative—set out for a week of stewardship and adventure in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Their mission: to restore and reopen the Boulder Creek Trail, a rugged and scenic route connecting Boulder Lakes to Lion and Foster Lakes and the Union Creek drainage.
The group’s arrival was marked by blue skies and sunshine—an auspicious start before the skies opened up for nearly five straight days of steady rain. Even as tents dripped and gear steamed by the campfire, spirits stayed high. Each evening, a warm fire was coaxed to life, stories and laughter echoed through camp, and hot-steaming meals kept everyone fueled for the next day’s efforts, that and the morning coffee.
Despite the weather, the team accomplished an impressive amount of trail restoration. Over 6.5 miles of trail were monitored and maintained, 75 downed logs were removed, 2.75 miles were brushed and cleared, and 3 miles of tread were retreaded and improved. Much of the work took place between Conway Lake and the Foster Divide—a section heavily damaged by wildfire where the original trail had to be rediscovered, flagged, and rebuilt. It was slow, gritty work, often guided by GPS and instinct more than visible tread, but the results were deeply rewarding.
The crew was supported by the Backcountry Horsemen of Northern California, who provided pack mules to carry tools and supplies into the backcountry. Even when fallen trees delayed the mules’ return trip, the group stayed upbeat, finding resourceful ways to keep camp comfortable and the work moving forward.
Along the way, there were moments of wonder: glimpses of Lion, Conway, and Foster Lakes glimmering between clouds; abundant wild elderberries ripening along the trail; and the return of sunshine on the last day, bookending a challenging but unforgettable week.
By week’s end, the Boulder Creek Trail was open and passable again—a gift to future hikers, anglers, and backpackers exploring the Trinity Alps. What began as a rain-soaked test of endurance became a story of teamwork, resilience, and shared purpose. The camaraderie forged around the campfire, the sense of accomplishment after each massive log was cleared, and the beauty of the wilderness itself made it a trip no one will soon forget.
These trips wouldn’t be possible without support and funding by the U.S. Forest Service, Shasta Trinity National Forest, and the State Parks & Recreation Outdoor Equity Program Grant (created by AB 209) and all of our wonderful donors, and of course our beloved collaborators such as Bigfoot Trail Alliance, Back Country Horsemen of Northern California, and the Shasta-Trinity US National Forest.