Fire Relief
2020's fires severely damaged our local parks. You can help rebuild trails and reopen parks. Fire relief efforts are one component of our Timeless Trails campaign. Click here to learn more.
The CZU Lightning Fire Complex burned 86,509 acres. We lost homes, businesses, historic parks and trails. Big Basin, Butano, Año Nuevo, and Fall Creek State Parks were hit hard. SCMTS is dedicated to playing its part in their reemergence.
After supporting the reopening of Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell State Park in 2022, we're excited to now be in Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Why this matters
SCMTS’s professional trail crew and volunteers are working alongside California State Parks staff to rebuild and reopen trails damaged by the CZU Lightning complex fire which burnt 85,000 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Trails will need to be cleared of hazard trees and reconstructed so they are safe for public use. Dozens of bridges need to be rebuilt and hundreds of culverts have failed. Help SCMTS and State Parks restore and reopen these beloved lands by donating today.
Goals & Timelines
- We are currently working in the backcountry of Big Basin Redwoods State Park—focused on clearing a 20' trail corridor by brushing ceanothus and removing hazard trees as CA State Parks prepares for a prescribed burn. We are set to be out there until the end of September. Learn more about what to expect at the new Big Basin.
- Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park reopened in 2022.
Learn More about Fire Relief
Get the boots-on-the-ground perspective of the charred forest via our blog and local news.
A Day in the Dirt with The SCMTS Trail Crew, April 2021
Recap: Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve Dig Day, December 2021
Most CZU Fire-Damaged Fall Creek Trails in Henry Cowell Reopened, February 2022
What to Expect at the New Big Basin, June 2022
We’re Back in Big Basin! SCMTS Crews Prep Backcountry for Prescribed Burn, August 2023
A Day in Big Basin with the SCMTS Trail Crew, August 2023
Support for this work is provided by:
Power On
Building and maintaining trails happens all year long. And there are lots of ways you can connect with other riders and hikers to dig in the dirt, learn techniques for building world-class trails, and much more.
