Gallery: Ben Johnson Project, Muir Woods, CA
In August 2022, the trail crew at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area began a multi-year reconstruction project of the Ben Johnson Spur in Muir Woods National Monument. This section of trail was originally built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and to remain aesthetically consistent with the historic CCC-era techniques, the crew is rebuilding structures using whole redwood logs.
Approximately 100 whole redwood logs were reclaimed from the Marin Municipal Water District, where they had been extracted from the Kent Lake reservoir. The crew trucked these logs across Marin County to Pantoll Station, where they could be staged above the worksite on the Deer Park Fire Road.
To transport logs and fill rock down to the steep, switchbacking slope to the worksite, the crew set up a 370-ft highline.
Over the next 2-3 years (crews can only work in Muir Woods between August and February due to protected Spotted Owl Nesting Season), crews will be rebuilding retaining walls, stairs, and switchbacks on the Ben Johnson Spur and Stapelvedlt Trail.
All photos by Joe Gibson.
Crew leader Ky Stormes next to a redwood logs being reclaimed at Kent Lake.
Crew leader Ky Stormes chains logs to a trailer.
Logs prepped on trailer to be trucked across Marin County to Pantoll Station.
Crew member Malachi Campbell removes rotten layers of wood from a reclaimed log.
A specialized tool called a Log Wizard is utilized to remove rotten layers of wood.
The crew shoots grade on a section of trail that will be rebuilt with a retaining wall.
Measuring out sections to be reconstructed with retaining walls.
Logs are transported to the worksite on a highline.
Logs are belayed down the highline using a Portawrap.
Logs are lowered off the highline using a pair of chain hoists.
Crew member Matthew Gonzalez uses a transfer scribe to measure notches for a log retaining wall.
Crew member Luz Lara uses a gouge to clean up billets for a lap joint.
Luz Lara and Justin Broadway construct a stringer staircase from whole redwoods logs.
Joints on a whole log stringer staircase
Hannah Cantor cleans up notches on a log on the Stapelveldt Trail.
Matthew Gonzalez drills a hole in a log for rebar.
The crew enjoys a well-deserved break.
Completed section of retaining wall.
A side view of the retaining wall. Large rocks are utilized to plug gaps between tiers. The bolt is the end of an earth anchor.
Finished section of trail and staircase.
The completed stringer staircase.
Trail crew member Justin Broadway plants in a disturbed area as part of the restoration process. The Redwood Creek habitat restoration crew visited the site to assist with the rehabilitation work.
Trail crew member Malachi Campbell prepares native grass seedlings for planting as part of the worksite rehab.
Trail Crew member Laura Gonzalez plants huckleberry as part of the restoration process.
