Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Erosion Control: Goodspeed Trail Rehabiltation

Abstract:

This project will improve, upgrade and re-route approximately 2 miles of trail where severe environmental damage is occurring in the form of slope instability and massive landslides, accelerated erosion, creek sedimentation and deep trail down cutting. This work will serve both the purpose of providing sustainable and environmentally friendly trails along with enhancing public access in a prime natural area that experiences very heavy public visitation.

Purpose: Purpose: The project will construct substantial repairs to this very degraded, environementally damaging and unsafe trail. The current trail is unavailable to the public during wet weather storm events due to excessive water being carried down the trailbed. A 2003 geologist report estimated a flow of one to two cubic feet per second running down the incised trail during a December storm, making the trail unsafe and diverting water from ephemeneral drainages, interrupting the hydrology of the watershed. Under these conditions though, many visitors still make the choice to use Goodspeed Trail, regardless of park trail safety closures. This is due to the local hiker passion for this trail. Portions of the trail, where there is sufficient landbase to support it, will be realigned on contours (a curvilinear trail alignment), and will link into existing segments of Goodspeed Trail. This project will improve water quality and restore natural watershed function to this portion of Sonoma Creek, while improving the visitor experience and providing greatly enhanced recreational opportunities. Need: DPR must strike the delicate balance between public access and resource protection. Goodspeed Trail caused a large landslide complex in winter 2003, depositing over 5,000 cubic yards of sediment directly into Sonoma Creek. Landslides, combined with ongoing erosion along the trail corridor, are resulting in delivery of a significant amount of sediment to Sonoma Creek, which threatens anadromous fish spawning habitat. Substantial repairs to this trail will be required through extremely rocky soils to prevent further trail-caused landslides and erosion into Sonoma Creek. This project is needed to restore natural watershed hydrologic function, protect water quality, enhance habitat for sensitive species, and to provide a safe and enjoyable trail for the public to experience open space through.

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Watersed Management Strategies:

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