Horse Team to Work on Indian Tree Trail on Saturday

Marin County Parks is using 21st century practices to manage its trails all over the county, but sometimes it takes a tried-and-true throwback method to get the job done right.

A horse and mule team from the North Bay Unit of the Backcountry Horsemen's Association will help restore and maintain Big Trees Trail in Novato on Saturday. According to parks volunteer coordinator Greg Reza, supplies for a spring project will be hauled up the trail near the end of Vineyard Road so that water bars — which prevent erosion of the trails — can be installed after the winter rains.

The horses can haul about 10 times the normal supply load of the motorized wheelbarrow normally used for such trail maintenace projects. 

Reza said Novato volunteers will be asked to help with the water bar installation next spring. People who board their horses at Willow Tree Stables will be hit up for help, but anyone can volunteers, Reza said.

For a short story on this by the Marin Independent Journal, click here.