Outslope Trail Solutions

We need bigger scissors!

The Finger Rock to Pontatoc Connector Trail in the Santa Catalina Mountains of Southern AZ is now open to the public. This creates a ~7 mile, satisfying car-to-car loop.

We are proud of this project, having seen it through all stages of development, from design to final construction.

We built two miles of new trail in rugged terrain, including
💪🏼 32 switchback pads
💪🏼 880 sq ft of retaining walls
💪🏼 142 steps

The final result is one of the smoothest and most sustainable trails in the Santa Catalina Mountains. The views aren't too bad, either.

This project was possible through the collaboration of the U.S. Forest Service – Coronado National Forest and the National Forest Foundation Critical support was provided by Arizona State Parks and the many volunteers who provided water support to the crew.

A special shout-out to our two superhuman volunteers, Brian Janezic, and Vasileios Paschalidis who carried nearly 400 pounds of water between them 💪🏼

John Goraj from NFF and the staff from the Coronado Forest were incredible to work with.

Finally, none of this would have been possible without the very hard work of our crew Ace, Ben, Cory, Dani, Mel, and Troy, and the leadership of Eric Ruljancich.

Rocks for Rockstars!

We specialize in building strong, functional structures using local, natural materials.

The past three weeks, we have been hard at work installing needed retaining walls and steps on the new Finger Rock to Pontatoc Trail connector in the Santa Catalina Mountains of Southern Arizona.

The trail will be open to the public on Saturday, Feb 8th (just two more days!). The crew will be on site that day to touch things up and greet hikers.

Thanks to the U.S. Forest Service – Coronado National Forest , National Forest Foundation and our hardworking crew, Ace, Ben, Cory, Dani, Mel, and Troy for making this project a reality.

Additional thanks to John Goraj from NFF and the amazing staff from the Coronado Forest for your tireless support.

Trail Crew Band Photo!

Success on trail projects depends on a good plan and a motivated and talented crew. We like to have fun too!

At Outslope Trail Solutions, we operate a bit differently and it shows. The well-being of our team comes first—flexibility, compensation, communication, and lots of cookies are all part of our model.

The crew has been working hard for the past 3 months to finish the new 2 mile long Finger Rock to Pontatoc Connector Trail, in the Santa Catalina Mountains of Southern Arizona.

Shout-out to our amazing crew:
Ace
Ben
Cory
Dani
Mel
Troy
Our honorary member Jen
And Kyle—you are missed

Additional thanks to the U.S. Forest Service – Coronado National Forest, National Forest Foundation for having us work on this project.

People power!

Our very own instructor Eric Ruljancich with the wonderful Friends of Madera Canyon volunteer trail crew getting ready to learn about sustainable tread.

Our trail network depends on motivated folks like these to care for and provide needed maintenance.

Together we support a trail system for all to use, while building community, creating friendships, and having fun.

Outslope Trail Solutions provides trainings and organizes volunteer events to support our trail network in Southern AZ and NM. Please message us directly if you would like to get involved.

Thanks to the U.S. Forest Service – Coronado National Forest, Recreation Officer Zach MacDonald and Friends of Madera Canyon for supporting our volunteers and this training.

Almost there!

We are working hard to complete the new Finger Rock to Pontatoc Trail connector in the Santa Catalina Mountains of Southern Arizona.

So far we have constructed:
1.9 miles of new tread
380 square feet of retaining walls
61 steps
18 switchback pads

We will be continuing to build critical steps and retaining walls, as well as completing the last 0.1 miles of tread surface over the next 3 weeks.

The grand opening to the public will be Feb 8! Mark your calendars to come check it out!

Thanks to the U.S. Forest Service – Coronado National Forest, National Forest Foundation and our hardworking crew, Ace, Ben, Cory, Mel, and Troy for making this project a reality.

You needed water?

Our community in action!

On Jan 4, a group of 17 motived volunteers braved the steep climb of Pontatoc Trail to haul up 55 gallons of water, weighing in at an impressive 440 pounds.

This water will be used to support our hard-working crew who is in the finishing stretch of building the new connector trail from Pontatoc to Finger Rock.

Trail will be open to the public on Feb 8, 2025

A big thank you to our 17 volunteers, Hyo Joo for bringing tasty food, and to the Tucson Trail Runners and the UofA Ramblers Hiking Club for your support of this event.

Additional thanks to the U.S. Forest Service – Coronado National ForestCoronado National Forest, National Forest Foundation and our hardworking crew, Ace, Ben, Mel, and Troy for making this project a reality.

Thanks to Zach Macdonald, Gary Meeker, George Wysopal, and all the fine folks from TRS for making this a great class.

Finished product:

Rocking it!

Staff from our hardworking colleagues at attending a 2-day stonework training led by our talented instructor Eric Ruljancich.

Attendees learned the fundamentals of working with rocks in the desert to help create sustainable and user-friendly trails. This workshop had a specific focus on constructing check dams/steps to repair badly eroding areas.

This was an exceptional group of folks, who asked countless good questions and were always happy to jump in to help move a rock or tell a joke.

Wild Arizona is a non-profit dedicated to helping preserve our Wilderness areas through trail maintenance, preservation, and restoration work. Thank you for all that you do.

We are lucky to have them as friends and colleagues.

Thanks to the Coronado National Forest and the National Forest Foundation for making this workshop possible.

We are grateful for our public lands, our communities, our many motivated volunteers, our talented crew, and for the opportunity to build trails and connections such as the new Finger Rock to Pontatoc connector trail.

Thanks to the Coronado National Forest, , and our hardworking crew, Ace, Ben, Kyle, and Troy for making this project a reality.

weigh .correll,

It takes a community!

We build more than trails!

To keep our hardworking crew hydrated, volunteers hauled in almost 30 gallons of water up 2.5 miles and 1500 feet of elevation last Sunday.

This water will help supplement our larger water cache hauled in by Llamas earlier in the season.

These mighty volunteers got a sneak peek of the Finger Rock to Pontatoc connector trail we are building in the Santa Catalina Mountains for their efforts. The view are spectacular.

A big thank you to our 10 volunteers and to the Tucson Trail Runners and the UofA Ramblers Hiking Club for your support of this event.

Additional thanks to the Coronado National Forest, , and our hardworking crew, Ace, Ben, Kyle, and Troy for making this project a reality.

weigh .correll,

You've got a pretty nice office there!

John Gorgi, the Southern Arizona Program Coordinator for the National Forest Foundation, visits the Outslope Trail Solutions crew working on the new Finger Rock to Pontatoc connector trail in the Santa Catalina Mountains outside of Tucson, AZ.

This exciting project will provide a 7-mile loop in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness with breathtaking views of rugged canyons and the city of Tucson.

Thanks to the Coronado National Forest, , and our hardworking crew, Ace, Ben, Kyle, and Troy for making this project a reality.

weigh .correll,

A new trail appears.

Outslope Trail Solutions crew has begun work on an exciting new connector trail in the Santa Catalinas (Mount Lemmon).

This new trail will connect the Finger Rock to Pontatoc Canyon Trail, resulting in a car-to-car loop of just under 7 miles.

The project is the part of the Forest Service's Catalina Ranger District Trail Plan. Read more (link in bio)

Our work is in partnership with , Coronado National Forest, and Arizona State Parks.

We are excited to be building the first new trail as part of this plan.