Trail maintenance is a vital part of preserving the trails and keeping them safe for trail users. Without regular maintenance, the trails would become overgrown or washed out, limiting their use and compromising the safety of trail users.
Why are volunteers needed? In the current economic conditions federal, state and local municipalities are strapped for funding to support activities such as trail maintenance, habitat restoration and removal of invasive plants. Government agencies have reached out to non-profit groups to help in supporting these activities to promote the goals of each of these organizations and to keep the natural resources available and safe for the public to enjoy. Volunteering is a great way to preserve the region's incredible trail network for the present and future generations. Volunteers have played a critical role in the development of new trails throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and other areas. If all trail users volunteered just one day a year we could meet the demands of maintaining more than 500 miles of trail and make the trails that much better! The Trails Council works under the direction of California State Parks and the NPS. Our crew leaders are trained and authorized to perform trail maintenance. All events are cleared in advance by NPS or State Parks in regard to sensitive native plants or archaeology.Date | Location | Trail | More Information | Day |
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2023-02-04 | Malibu Creek State Park | Saddle Creek, Malibu Creek SP | Routine Trail maintenance - 8:30AM - 2PM. Work will be on the Saddle Creek Trail starting at the Trailhead along Piuma Rd. Meet at the dirt parking area just to the right of the Trailhead about 1.1 miles east of Malibu Canyon Rd. 25575 Piuma Rd. Once in the driveway, volunteers should park on the left fork. Greg Sweel 310-452-4443 Link to Map | Saturday |
2023-02-11 | Malibu Creek State Park | Saddle Creek, Malibu Creek SP | Routine Trail maintenance - 8:30AM - 2PM. Work will be on the Saddle Creek Trail starting at the Trailhead along Piuma Rd. Meet at the dirt parking area just to the right of the Trailhead about 1.1 miles east of Malibu Canyon Rd. Once in the driveway, volunteers should park on the left fork. Anne Russell 310-600-4798 Link to Map | Saturday |
2023-02-18 | Malibu Creek State Park | Saddle Creek, Malibu Creek SP | Routine Trail maintenance - 8:30AM - 2PM. Work will be on the Saddle Creek Tr ail starting at the Trailhead along Piuma Rd. Meet at the dirt parking area just to the right of the Trailhead about 1.1 miles east of Malibu Canyon Rd. Once in the driveway, volunteers should park on the left fork. Barry Dydyk 805-490-2707 Link to Map | Saturday |
2023-03-04 | Point Mugu State Park | Coyote Trail, Point Mugu SP | Routine Trail maintenance - 8:30AM - 2PM. Meet at the dirt parking area at the juncture with Wendy Dr. and Potrero Rd. in Newbury Park. From the 101 take Wendy Dr. south to the end of the road at Potrero Rd. This is a joint project with the Sierra Club Task Force. Jerry Mitcham 818-406-1269 Link to Map | Saturday |
2023-03-18 | TBD | COSCA Spring Trail Work Day | This is a joint project with the COSCA Rangers and many local volunteers. Work site TBD. Registration begins at 7:30 AM - Work begins at 8:00 AM. Work completes at 12:00 PM. Lunch provided after work. All tools and training provided. See COSCA website for additional details. John Kross 805-587-0721 | Saturday |
2023-03-25 | Point Mugu State Park | Coyote Trail, Point Mugu SP | Routine Trail maintenance - 8:30AM - 2PM. Meet at the dirt parking area at the juncture with Wendy Dr. and Potrero Rd. in Newbury Park. From the 101 take Wendy Dr. south to the end of the road at Potrero Rd. This is a joint project with ultra Trail runners. Dave Edwards 805-279-3029 Link to Map | Saturday |
2023-04-01 | Topanga State Park | Garapito Trail, Topanga SP | Routine Trail maintenance - 8:30AM - 2PM. Meet at the south end of Reseda Blvd. at the Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park, 3600 Reseda Blvd, Tarzana, CA. We will shuttle into the park from here. This is a joint project with the Sierra Club Task Force. Anne Russell 310-600-4798 Link to Map | Saturday |
2023-04-08 | Topanga State Park | Garapito Trail, Topanga SP | Routine Trail maintenance - 8:30AM - 2PM. Meet at the south end of Reseda Blvd. at the Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park, 3600 Reseda Blvd, Tarzana, CA. We will shuttle into the park from here. This is a joint project with the Sierra Club Task Force. Don Brusellars 805-276-0830 Link to Map | Saturday |
2023-04-14 | Point Mugu State Park | Wood Canyon Vista Trail, Point Mugu SP | Routine Trail maintenance - 8:30AM - 2PM. Meet at the dirt parking area at the juncture with Wendy Dr. and Potrero Rd. in Newbury Park. From the 101 take Wendy Dr. south to the end of the road at Potrero Rd. Dave Edwards 805-279-3029 Link to Map | Friday |
2023-04-15 | Point Mugu State Park | Wood Canyon Vista Trail, Point Mugu SP | Routine Trail maintenance Meet at the dirt parking area at the juncture with Wendy Dr. and Potrero Rd. in Newbury Park. From the 101 take Wendy Dr. south to the end of the road at Potrero Rd. Dave Edwards 805-279-3029 Link to Map | Saturday |
2023-04-21 | Point Mugu State Park | Santa Monica Mountains Trail Days, Sycamore Canyon, Point Mugu SP | This is a weekend Trail work event at Point Mugu State Park. Attend one or all days, free camping at Danielson Ranch Group camp. Enjoy a free BBQ dinner and spectacular raffle. See the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council website at http://www.smmtc.org/maint/Traildays.php for registration and detailed information. Barb Thomas 805-509-3426 Link to Map | Friday |
2023-04-22 | Point Mugu State Park | Santa Monica Mountains Trail Days, Sycamore Canyon, Point Mugu SP | This is a weekend Trail work event at Point Mugu State Park. Attend one or all days, free camping at Danielson Ranch Group camp. Enjoy a free BBQ dinner and spectacular raffle. See the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council website at http://www.smmtc.org/maint/Traildays.php for registration and detailed information. Barb Thomas 805-509-3426 Link to Map | Saturday |
2023-04-23 | Point Mugu State Park | Santa Monica Mountains Trail Days, Sycamore Canyon, Point Mugu SP | This is a weekend Trail work event at Point Mugu State Park. Attend one or all days, free camping at Danielson Ranch Group camp. Enjoy a free BBQ dinner and spectacular raffle. See the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council website at http://www.smmtc.org/maint/Traildays.php for registration and detailed information. Barb Thomas 805-509-3426 Link to Map | Sunday |
2023-04-29 | Malibu Creek State Park | Talepop Trail, Malibu Creek SP | Routine Trail maintenance - 8:30AM - 2PM. From the 101 take Las Virgines Rd. south for about 3 miles and turn right onto dirt road. Park along side the road. We'll shuttle from here to the Trailhead. Greg Sweel 310-452-4443 Link to Map | Saturday |
2023-05-20 | Point Mugu State Park | Serrano Canyon, Point Mugu SP | This will be a special project with Boy Scout Troop 730. Work from 8:30AM - 2PM. Meet at Sycamore Canyon day parking, at Sycamore Canyon Campground. Tell kiosk attendant that you are part of the volunteer Trail crew. Barry Dydyk 805-490-2707 Link to Map | Saturday |
2023-06-03 | National Trails Day | Work site to be determined. Barb Thomas 805-509-3426 Link to Map | Saturday | |
2023-06-10 | Malibu Creek State Park | Talepop Trail, Malibu Creek SP | Routine Trail maintenance 8:30AM - 2PM. From the 101 take Las Virgines Rd. south for about 3 miles and turn right onto dirt road. Park along side the road. We'll shuttle from here to the Trailhead. Barb Thomas 805-509-3426 Link to Map | Saturday |
Primarily of interest for our crew leaders. Note: changes in prior schedules are not always reflected in the PDFs.
Each year we coordinate with Channel Island NPS to arrange some trail work trips to the islands, usually Santa Cruz Island. Some prior trail work experience is desired. If you are interested in learning more about these trips please contact Jerry Mitcham directly at (818) 406-1269.
Other volunteer projects, unscheduled at this time, may be conducted in the Santa Monica Mountains NRA and Channel Islands National Park. Special projects might be arranged for school or corporate groups interested in performing trail maintenance or other volunteering efforts as public service projects. If you are interested in arranging a special project, please contact Jerry Mitcham (818) 406-1269 or email us at mail@smmtc.org.
JOIN US for four maintenance outings and you will receive an SMMTC T-shirt! Eight outings and you'll receive Milt McAuley's book Hiking Trails of the Santa Monica Mountains.