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Fuel reduction work has begun along the Arnold Rim Trail, south of Avery-Sheep Ranch Road in San Domingo Canyon. Heavy equipment is actively thinning overcrowded young trees, masticating brush and fallen trees, and widening fuel breaks on Stanislaus National Forest land. Intensive work will continue in San Domingo Canyon for several months and, at the same time, move north along and adjacent to the Arnold Rim Trail. Much of the work will widen the existing fuel break from 300 feet to 500 feet.
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No blanket trail closures are in place, but specific segments are being flagged off with “DO NOT ENTER” zones as active work reaches them. Please plan for active operations through the fall. Masticators can throw shredded vegetation and rock as far as 150 feet, and operators in enclosed cabs often cannot see or hear you. Give all equipment a wide berth, never pass close behind a machine, and be ready to yield or turn back if you encounter any active work. At this time, work is active along the Arnold Rim Trail between posts #77 and #80 and a “Do Not Enter” zone has been flagged. |
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ARTA will be updating Trailforks to show current trail status as work progresses through the fall. The work is being done under a contract that requires the trail be left in the same or better condition than it’s found — the goal here is a fire-hardened corridor, not a rebuilt one. Initially, treated ground will look raw and dusty before it greens back up. You’ll also see orange “noxious weed” ribbon in these areas — that flagging belongs to botanical surveyors marking sensitive plants ahead of the work and should be left in place.
ARTA does not control this work; we’re simply passing along what we know as a service to trail users. Watch Trailforks and ARTA’s usual channels for the latest status, and reach out to info@arnoldrimtrail.org with questions or field observations. We strongly support this work and the contractors are deeply concerned about your safety. Please avoid trails where operations are active. We will do our best to keep you informed as work progresses.
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Show your support by making a donation!
The Arnold Rim Trail Association is an all-volunteer association without paid staff. Donations are utilized for training team members, providing trail enhancements, and improvement projects throughout the ART System.
The Arnold Rim Trail Association – in partnership with the US Forest Service
