With our main trail currently in middle of a beaver project to build some new dams and ponds, we had the chance to explore alternative paths out to the Anne Hoover Dam and Norton Brook Reservoir. After a few trail scouting trips we identified a path for an alternative path starting at the kiosk and ending at the eastern side of the trail across the dam. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of David Brynn, Callie Brynn, Cam Barrows, and John Peters we quickly had a new path roughed in including installation of a brand new white cedar bridge. The new trail meanders along the toe of the quartize talus through lots of hemlocks and northern white cedar. As we see how this trail settles in, some adjustments may still take place to avoid areas too wet to hold up to foot traffic. This route has much gentler slopes out to the dam than the Voices of the Land trail which has been getting lots of use with the main trail flooded so we hope it offers a nice alternative. In the spring we will re-assess the condition of our trails and keep members updated on plans.

Newly completed cedar footbridge along our the new trail. Photos courtesy David Brynn

David Brynn works on the path for the new trail out to the reservoir, called Commoner’s Return.