Swell of hikers, bikers leads to surge of support for trails

Klain estimated that even with volunteers doing the work, it costs about $1,000 per mile to build trails. The major expenses are hiring experts to perform archaeological and environmental impact reviews to make sure the trails don’t adversely disturb cultural and environmental resources.

Other funds go toward certification for trail crew leaders, insurance costs and tools.

Last year, the Fat Tire Society spent about $15,000 on new trails and trail improvements in Glorieta Adventure Camps, Galisteo Basin and La Tierra Trails. Klain said the group typically maintains 250 to 300 miles of trail each year by clearing deadfall, improving drainage and performing other work requested by land managers, including the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.

Hundreds of volunteer hours go into this process annually, though much of it can go unnoticed and underappreciated by the general public.

“For a lot of us, we think that magic trail elves show up, that these trails have been here forever, that they’ll always be maintained and that deadfall will always be cleared,” said mountain biker Jason Trainor.

Eventually, hikers and bikers reach an age when they realize trail elves don’t actually exist, that it is in fact fellow outdoors enthusiasts who make the magic happen.

Trainor, 55, volunteered for the first time last winter when Fat Tire Society members worked on rebuilding the Hustle and Flow Trail at La Tierra. He came in with no experience, but the veteran crew leaders quickly taught him the skills he needed to contribute.