Portfolio

This page is a means for tracking my trail building journeys in an informal portfolio (in table format below). Some of the projects are linked to stories or details about the project, while others are no more than a record or reminder that I worked on a particular trail.

^in this photo Jorge and Hans from Bellfree Contractors cut and double-check what’s ahead in Crafton Hills.

One of the highlights in my trail life was getting to work with Hans and Jorge. It was an honor and a privilege. I probably wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Thanks guys!

When I lived in San Diego, CA I did volunteer work with SDMBA, The City of Carlsbad, and various SHARE events. In addition, I sat on the Oceanside Bike/Walk Subcommittee focusing on Off-Road Infrastructure Development.

Now I am in New York and New Jersey. I worked for the NYNJTC, and now Tahawus Trails. I have also worked for Avid Trails and PTarmigan PTrails, usually during Tahawus’ off-season in the winter. I had brief stint with GASS at a bike park in San Diego as well. I do volunteer trail work whenever I can with the NYNJTC, JORBA, Palisades MTB and other groups in the Hudson Valley, and even NYC (NYCMTB). A number of the projects I have been involved with in New York and New Jersey have photos and job accomplishments here. Use the contact page if you have questions about the trail construction on any of these trails, or have questions about consultation (layout, design, structures, materials, etc.).

In 2013 I left southern California for trail work in New York. I had a great time going east and heading back west visiting some great trails. Once in New York I worked with/for the SCA, AmeriCorps, NYNJTC, and the award winning Tahawus Trails Crew, not to mention a few Jolly Rovers, and a lot of wonderful people and volunteers. I spent time on Bear Mountain (Major Welch trail, and the Appalachian Trail). At the time Bear mountain was some of the most technical trail building in the country (shown above). After going back west for a month or two I turned back around to move to New York and New Jersey to design and build trails. The Hudson Valley, Highlands, and Catskills have been my main trail home since.

At this point in time I am in the process of migrating my trail work photos to this website and Flickr. Some older photos are on photobucket (see drop-down menu to left of the photobucket page). Photobucket lowered the quality of these images. Until the plug is pulled on “panaramio,” there are also trail work photos there (see the blue “trail work” tags on the right of the panoramio page). Some new projects (post 2015) are making their way to Flickr.

The map below shows most of what is in the table below. As of 2/2018 the California tracks have been populated. The northeast tracks and sites have not been completely populated.

As a trail user that is also a builder it’s hard for me not to identify the brilliance, as well as the mistakes, not to mention the sweat, in every trail’s birth and life. I’ve had the chance to experience thousands of miles of trail throughout the US, and a few in Sweden and Iceland. In California I usually covered 1,000-2,000 miles of trail every year, and on a good year over 3,000 miles. I’ve slowed down a little out east, but suffice it to say that my wide array of experiences has given me insight into the successful and unsuccessful elements of trails in various climates and soil conditions– its also been good for my heart and mind. A good portion of my trail work has involved fixing problem trails, including the construction of more sustainable reroutes. Seeing hundreds to thousands of miles of trails each year as a user, and as a worker fixing problem sections, I have insight on what to avoid during new construction.

The map below is still being populated, but gives a general sense of the depth and breadth of my trail travels. More details are here.

Portfolio

-Last updated 12/2023

–Bellfree, and San Diego (some SDMBA) design/layouts were joint efforts for which I was a participant. Some NYNJTC, Avid, Ptarmigan, JORBA, Palisades MTB, and Tahawus layouts were also collaborative.

*Bridges and rock work/dry stone masonry with direct and indirect involvement in placement/installation and design