Blackcap Basin
These photos show the progression of the repair of a rock trail segment on the Blackcap Basin Trail. Since the Kings river sometimes overflows & runs down this segment, we hope the repair will last 50 to 75 years. This segment is about 25 yards in length.

This is the lower part of the segment that need repair. It was almost impassable, especially for 'stock' (pack animals) whose steel shoes made it VERY slippery!

The first sep or "keystone" is carefully set into place. This nice piece of granite weighs about 500 lbs.

Drainage gravel is placed... The second step has been set. Also, the trail has been bordered with large granite rocks (the one on the left weighs almost 1/2 ton) and some "crush fill" has been created between the steps. The large rocks keep hikers, stock, & water from erodingthe sides of the trail. The crush fill becomes a trail bed, helps with drainage, & helps to keep other parts locked into place. (see next picture)

This is how the crush fill is created. Larger stones are hammered into smaller crushed rocks. (much easier than trying to find & carry crushed rock to the trail) more later ...

Rocks set above the second step are known as "rip-rap" trail tread. The key here is to have each rock top be as level as possible while keeping the average slope consistant with that of the trail. Each rock is mostly burried and locked into its brothers (what you see is only an eighth of the rock). The flat tops help keep hikers & stock from sliding back down the trail. This type of trail tread also holds up better where water often runs down the trail.

Above the Rip-Rap tread crush fill has been added and another step has been set. Below the Rip-Rap Tread dirt has been spred on top of the crush fill to make it easier to walk on and to help keep the crush fill in place.

The finished product. Dirt has been spread on the crush fill below the rip-rap tread between the first 2 steps.Also, in the shadow to the right, two log check dams have been installed to help keep the lower part of this segment from washing out during the wet season. This project took five people six days. Hopefully it will last 50 to 75 years.