Trail Improvement

In 2021 and 2022, the association embarked on a major reconstruction of the entire trail system to enhance its suitability for use, durability, and ease of maintenance.

Better Footing

Crushed stone was installed over most trails a few years ago to replace the wood chips used earlier. Recently more finely crushed stone was applied in certain sections of the trail, which has provided a more comfortable surface, but has proved to be more susceptible to damage from heavy rains. Sections of the trail have been reengineered to reduce trail slope to no more than 5 percent, including the addition of risers where the natural slope exceeds that. See photos.

Safer Stairways

All stairways along the trail have been replaced with solid timber steps and round metal railings. The old stairways had woodchip or gravel infill and 2 by 4 railings that were hard to grasp for some. The long stairway with steep treads behind Building 1 was replaced by a longer but gentler switchback trail.

Mitigating Wash-outs

There are several areas where heavy rains previously washed across the trail leaving non-trail material on top or eroding the surface. These areas were addressed with risers, water bars, timber edging, or and puncheons (raised boardwalks).

More Benches

A few benches were added along, the woodland trail. Placement of future benches will be designed to offer viewing of new water features installed as part of the erosion control project of 2018-2019, and the unique wetland below Building 1.

New Signage

The thirty-eight signposts that were along the trails since the early days of Montebello, originally to guide maintenance work rather than to provide any service to residents, have been replaced. Now, 47 posts (0 to 46) are spaced at roughly 100-foot intervals, numbered counterclockwise from Short Mount Eagle Drive.. In the future, the Grounds Committee hopes to add informative signage to draw attention to special features of our woodland.

For more background information, see articles in the Montebello Times:

- Trail Renovation to Start in May - March 2021
- Trail Improvements are Coming Sooner Rather than Later - November 2020

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