Historic Franklin Trail Closer to Completion

Preliminary Line Makes Way for Environmental Assessment

—For those of you who were with us when we finally cut through the last remaining section of brush and made it to the top of the Franklin Trail — a first for many decades — and for all of you who helped along the way, I want to share with you my profound thanks for all of your help. This was a team effort, and one that could not have been completed as soon as it was without your help.

Last year, when we first began working on the preliminary trail route, I don’t think anyone had a clue how much brush would need to be cleared or how much sweat would be involved in making this happen. But it did thanks to you all. I also want to express my thanks to a few others. For one, to Nicky and Andy Culbertson, who did much of the chainsaw work needed to open the route, and who are brush cutters extraordinaire. Without their work, we’d never have made it to the top. I’d also like especially to thank Gordon Jenkins and Aanjelae Rhoads, who were there for every volunteer day of the project and who led many trips up to work on the trail this past summer, hiking in from the high school before ever getting to the work areas.

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

At this point, the preliminary phase of the project is done. The next step is working with the U.S. Forest Service in to prepare the NEPA environmental review documents for the Forest Service to approve. Will keep you in the loop as things progress and if more volunteer time is needed. FYI, together we put in just under 800 hours of volunteer time opening the route. That’s about a $12,000 contribution of in-kind services on behalf of the trail community. Amazing.

If you’d like to see a bit of what was involved in opening the trail, I've put together a slideshow that you can view online.

—Ray Ford, Trail Designer and Project Manager

More about the Franklin Trail

We have posted a description of the work that needs to be done to complete the 3rd Phase of the Franklin Trail if you would like to learn more about the project.

We need community support to finance this ambitious project. To donate online, click the link at the top of this page, or download our pledge form to mail a check. For more information, please get in touch with Mark Wilkinson at 805.708.6173. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.