Route Inventory Data Summaries: 6/22/05
Area: Westgard Pass/Blanco Mtn.
Observers: Chris Kassar and Mike Klapp 

Route F001

Narrative summary: This route is closed as designated by a sign at the south entrance (Picture 622003) and a soil burm and revegetation at the north entrance (Picture 622001). The dominant vegetation is sagebrush (maximum height in the center of the route of 2.5 feet) and the route passes through a dry meadow, resulting in gullying with a cut depth of 9 inches (Picture 622002). It seems the route closure is effective-- the route shows little recent use, however, tracks of mountain bikers and full-sized vehicles were observed. There is extensive gullying on the route after it crosses the main road and merges with Schulman Grove trails (Picture 622005). Seventy percent of the route is covered by vegetation with a variety of plants including sagebrush and bunch grass, and wildflowers, including, borages, Astralgus spp., and phlox. Coyote prints, a badger den, canine scat and a chipmunk were observed on the road.

Recommendation: We recommend the road remain closed and revegetation efforts continue.

Route T21-North of Black Canyon Springs

*shown as trail 
**shown as trail

Route description: Trail begins west and south of Schulman Grove Visitor Center and runs west and south to reach Black Canyon Spring.

  Narrative summary: This trail is closed to motor vehicle traffic as designated by 2 signs at the trailhead stating that no motor vehicles are allowed in order to protect soil and wildlife  (Picture 622006). The Black Canyon Trail is open to hikers and horses only. However, in addition to pedestrian tracks, we observed motorcycle, mountain bike and ATV tracks and determined that this trail has a low to moderate amount of use. The dominant vegetation along the trail is sagebrush (maximum height in the center of the road is 1 foot), and we observed bitterbrush, lupine, prickly pear cactus, globe mallow, Indian paintbrush, rock cress, monkey flower and bunch grasses growing along the trail. The trail begins as a two-track, however, throughout its length it alternates between a two-track and a trail. The trail becomes very rocky in some of the steeper sections as it heads down toward the spring. An extensive rodent tunnel system, canine scat and a den and a gray flycatcher’s nest with babies and adult present were observed on the trail. We spotted a violet-green swallow, a Clark’s nutcracker and a spotted towhee along the trail.   

Recommendation: We recommend reducing the entire route to a single track in order to deter motorized use. The rockiness and steepness of the trail don’t make it conducive to motorized use. Motorized use on this trail presents both an ecological and a safety concern. To achieve this, we recommend signing at Black Canyon Spring and at the junction with the Bristlecone Pine Road to let mechanized users know this route is closed for their use.   

Route Z1810

Route description: Route begins 0.2 miles south of Black Canyon Springs and travels northwest.

Narrative summary: We surveyed this route for ¼ mile from its junction with Route T21 (Picture 622011). Shortly after its junction with T21, Route Z1810 crosses a creek (Picture 622012). The crossing is a stable, 90^o crossing with a water depth of 3 inches. The width of the creek above and below the crossing is 4 feet, while the width at the crossing is 9 feet, demonstrating damage to the riparian system. We observed motorcycle and ATV tracks and determined that this trail has a moderate amount of use. The dominant vegetation along the trail is sagebrush with slow-growing and riparian vegetation, including sagebrush, willow, and bunch grass beginning to grow in the center of the trail. We observed recent crushing of this center vegetation.

Recommendation: Leave open to motorized vehicles because the crossing is stable, the route has moderate to high use and provides alternative access (instead of T 21) to Black Canyon Spring.  

Route T21-South of Black Canyon Springs and North of Junction with Z1813

Route description: Trail begins at Black Canyon Spring and heads south to Junction with Z1813.

Narrative summary: This section of T21 begins at Black Canyon Spring where there is a primitive campground (Picture 622009). This small, stable campground extends right up to the creek and has a fire ring, however, it does not seem like there is a good place to sleep. There is also an old structure (mining?) at this spot (Picture 622010). We observed motorcycle and ATV tracks along this route and determined that this trail has a moderate amount of use. The dominant vegetation along the trail is sagebrush (maximum center height of 2.5 feet in riparian section). Near the beginning of the trail slow-growing and riparian vegetation are present (willows, sagebrush), however, this changes as more annuals encroach and reduction in the size of center vegetation occurs with movement down trail. One-half mile from the beginning of the trail, the road goes into the stream channel and continues down stream for 45 yards, resulting in gullying with a cut depth of 9 inches (Picture 622013). Braided stream capture occurs and emergent riparian vegetation (rushes, sedges, cattails) and aquatic insects were observed in the road/stream (Picture 622014). There is only annual vegetation in the stream bed for this length of the road and there are perennials (i.e., rose) on the sides. The road and the stream intermittently join and separate for the length of the trail (Pictures 622015, 622017, 622018), remaining together for most of the time, until the stream abruptly stops flowing. For this length of the route, there is no perennial riparian vegetation (i.e., willow), suggesting a lack of vegetation to support a healthy riparian ecosystem (Pictures 622016, 622019).  Wilson’s warblers were heard north of the junction with Z1814 and north of any stream capture. Rock wrens, jack rabbits, a vole, a golden-mantle ground squirrel, canine prints and deer tracks were observed along this route. Just north of the junction with Z1813 a fireplace-like structure was found on the east side of the trail.

Recommendation: We recommend complete closure of T21 from Z1813 and Z1810, or at minimum, closure of T21 from Z1810 to 3434 due to extensive damage to riparian area. We recommend closure to all types of use to allow riparian system to reestablish. Moving the route out of the creek would be difficult and alternate routes with access to Black Canyon Spring are available and not as damaging.

Route 3434

Route description: Trail heads west off of Black Canyon Trail (T21) ~1 mile south of Black Canyon Springs.

Narrative summary: Route 3434 veers west off of the Black Canyon Trail (T21) at a spot where T21 has completely captured the stream. Route 3434 appears dry (Picture 622020), however at this junction there are signs of gullying within pre-existing vehicle tracks. We observed mountain bike and ATV tracks and determined that this trail has a moderate to high amount of motorized use. We observed the presence of ephemeral gullying with a cut depth of 12 inches (Picture 622021). The dominant vegetation along the trail is sagebrush, with other wildflowers, including penstemon, Indian paintbrush and prickly pear cactus. Very little vegetation is growing in the center of the route although the amount of center vegetation increases after the junction with Route Z1811 where both routes show moderate to high motorized use with a short-cut at the intersection (Picture 622022).  

Recommendation: Manage for motorized use or sign at both ends that it is not managed for motorized use.

Route N2109 & N2110

Route description: Spurs heading west off of Z1813.

Narrative summary: We observed ATV tracks and determined that these routes have a moderate amount of use causing erosion along this steep path (Picture 622024). The dominant vegetation along the trail is pinon-juniper and we did not observe a significant amount of other vegetation in the area. There was slow growing vegetation (i.e. sagebrush) beginning to grow in the center of the route. We found a campground with a fire ring; the campground appears to be sprawling despite low use (Picture 622023). The roads do not appear to continue past campground so it seems that people drive right up to the campground and then turn around. We observed western wood peewees and one turkey vulture.

Recommendation: The purpose of this route unclear, however, closure would be difficult because the junction Z1810 to N2109 is very accessible. Moderate closure efforts would be reasonable. 

Route Z1813

*shown as trail 1/2 mile longer than on route inventory

Route description: Route begins 1.5 miles south of Black Canyon Springs and heads west and south to loop around peak 8200.

Narrative summary: We identified stock, motorcycle and ATV tracks and determine that this is a route with moderate to high used. There is extensive ephemeral gullying, resulting in  loose soil and a significant amount of erosion in steep sections of the route. The dominant vegetation along the trail is sagebrush. Very little vegetation is growing in the center of the route although the amount of center vegetation observed increased as we moved toward the junction with T21.   

Recommendation: The purpose of this route is unclear. Ideally, we recommend closure to minimize erosion and gullying, however, closure might be difficult.

Route Z1814

*only west 3/4 mile heading up from Black Canyon route

Route description: Route joins Bristlecone Pine Rd. with Black Canyon Trail.

Narrative summary: We identified motorcycle and ATV tracks and determined that this is a route with low to moderate use. We observed evidence of erosion, gullying and narrowing; it would be very difficult for a full-size vehicle to pass through it. For one-half to one mile this route is a trail on steep, rocky terrain. The dominant vegetation along the route is pinon-juniper, however, there is little to no vegetation in the center of the route. There is a spur running north that begins ~ ½ mile from the junction of this route with the Black Canyon Trail (T21). This spur, which has motorcycle and ATV tracks on it, dead ends inexplicably after a ¼ mile. This spur is very steep, rocky and eroded with no vegetation in the center.    

Recommendation: The purpose of this route is unclear. Maintain for non-motorized use and make the entire route into a trail. Close to motorized use with signs at bottom and top of route.

Route Z1811

Route description: Route begins along Route 3434 and heads north to junction with Z1810.

Narrative summary: We walked ¼ mile to evaluate use and identified motorcycle, mountain bike and ATV tracks and determined that this is a route with moderate to high use. The dominant vegetation along the trail is sagebrush. Very little to no vegetation is growing in the center of the route.  

Recommendation: The purpose of this route is unclear. We propose that it serve as an alternate route (to T21 which we suggest should be completely closed north of junction with Z1813 to motor vehicle use) for motorized access to Black Canyon Spring.

Route N2108

Route description: North-south connector between 3434 and Z1813.

Narrative summary: We observed stock, motorcycle and ATV tracks on this moderately used route.  The dominant vegetation along the trail is pinon pine and juniper. Almost no vegetation is growing in the center of the route while vegetation throughout the area is scarce. We identified sagebrush, bitterbrush and bunch grasses along the route. There is a moderately used, stable campground with a fire ring, located  ¼ mile from the junction with Z1813. 

Recommendation: Close this route because there is another route (Z1812) that acts as a connector between 3434 and Z1813.

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