WrightwoodCalif.com Forum
Public Forums => Outdoors => Topic started by: Kevin Quinn on May 26, 11, 06:28:02 PM
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I will do my homework, but Acorn trail is blocked by several fallen trees. If all checks out I will take a run up and clear it. I have not used a chain saw on national forest land so I will check for all compliance issues. I have already removed all other debris, except snow,,,,but hey i can do that too.
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While I love your enthusiasm, you cannot use a chainsaw on federal land without an extensive training class and certification process. I work with the Adopt A Trail program in the San Bernadino Forest and this is a major limiting factor in the amount of work we can accomplish in the spring every year. Luckily my club was able to have one of our members go through one of the training courses so we are able to clear trails. Maybe this weekend you could visit Grassy Hollow and inform them of the trail conditions. They may have the ability to have someone assigned to do trail maintenance. Good Luck! :2thumbsup:
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Ahh, I had a feeling. It pays to ask. Thank you for that information. I will check with Grassy Hollow and then I will see what little I can do by hand.
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I hosted a hiker this week who came down it and he said that it was in pretty bad shape. I am sure that work will need to be done in order for the AC100 to use it.
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Beside doing the right thing and notifying those that seem to be in charge I will take a day with an axe and a shovel and clear all I can. I think acorn is awesome and was bummed to see it re-routed and confusing.
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Let me know approximately where the fallen trees are, and a guess on the diameter of each, and I will fwd the information to the right people with the USFS to get them cleared from the trail.
With the hundreds of miles of trails on the forest, the USFS relies on reports from the public to get things like this taken care of. The fire crews usually enjoy doing this kind of work, so once it's reported to them, it often gets done pretty quickly. :)
mtcook@fs.fed.us
Thanks for your efforts and concerns!
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I hosted a hiker this week who came down it and he said that it was in pretty bad shape. I am sure that work will need to be done in order for the AC100 to use it.
AC100 is early this year: July 23rd, I hope they can clear it in time.
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I hope to do acorn tomorrow with an axe, tree saw and shovel. I will clear what I can then let you know what is left. At least 2 trees were over two feet in diameter and I doubt i would be able to make a dent in them.
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When confronted with this problem in the past, I have notified contacts They just need to know where there are problems.
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I am pretty sure, as you say, that just by notifying the folks at Grassy Hollow over time the trail will be cleared. But since I am working less due to our fabulous economy, I can think of a lot worse things to do for a day than to spend time on Acorn clearing obstructions. But being a bit of an idiot when it comes to whats right and wrong in the forest realm I would ask those more knowledgeable, is it okay to do what I am about to do?
No power tools, clearing only the trail, no watershed obstruction and cognizant of trail drainage. So what do you think, good idea? Or should I stay home and vacuum and wash windows?
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Is there still a lot of snow on the upper Acorn trail?
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Kevin,
Yup, there are several trees down on the PCT up Baden Powell.
Everybody is making their way over, under, around them, just fine. (it's nothing compared to the snow you'll deal with higher up)
Thank you very much for doing your best on Acorn trail (or any trail for that matter)
For as far as I know, quite a few of the people that used to do trail (PCT) maintenance have gotten a "bit older" and/or are dealing with other problems.
So, again, thank you very much for your trail work.
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(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/klquinn797/20110602084246.jpg)
This is the giant tree on the switchback.
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/klquinn797/20110602092405.jpg)
BEFORE
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/klquinn797/20110602105457.jpg)
AFTER
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Thanks for your thanks. If was a lot more fun than work. As far as snow, just one patch on Acorn but several on the pct from Guffy to the trail head at hwy 2.
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Wow!
The ones on Baden Powell are not even half that size.
And quite a few of the PCTrs are coming in to town via the Acorn trail.
I'm sure they appreciate your work.
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Way to go Kevin! :2thumbsup:
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Wow, good work. I rarely use the acorn trail, but as was stated before, your work on any trail is appreciated. I also know that many PCT hikers use the acorn trail to enjoy the legendary hospitality of our town.
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Kevin, thank you so much for clearing the Acorn Trail. I have an idea: are you willing to organize a work party and invite anyone from the forum to help you when you tackle Baden Powell? Back in the day Nolena invited the rest of us to meet and do hikes together and it was a nice way to meet others from the forum and build a greater sense of community. Besides, everyone who helps will be doing something awesome for those who use those trails. As Bootsmiles mentioned, Baden Powell won't be half the work that Acorn was (your aching back will feel the difference).
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Domingo,
That sounds great and hey who doesn't want help, right?
So I read my horoscope today and it said "An on-the-job change works to your benefit by offering new opportunities".
Now I could be off, but I'm pretty sure it's telling me to go clear Baden Powell tomorrow. Right?
So I will be working my way up early in the morning with my bow saw and rake and assorted useless tools that I throw at hard to cut trees. Short notice I know, but anyone who wants to join is very welcome, and if not, hey it's really a labor of love for me.
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From the Angeles Crest 100 mile foot race website:
All Runners must:
1) Qualify: All runners must complete at least a 50 mile run between July 23, 2010 and July 23, 2011.
2) Perform Trail Maintenance: All runners must complete 8 hours of trail maintenance between July 23, 2010 and July 23, 2011.
Sounds like these are jobs some of the runners could be doing, no?
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Kevin left the house for the mountain around 6am and he's still out there. He sees this as a nice way to help out and a great way to get some exercise! I'm sure he'll post some pics when he returns.
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I was up on Baden-Powell today, for the second time this week, and what a surprise! The trail has been raked, cleaned up, and put in excellent order. Large trees that were blocking the trail and making passage difficult have been removed. I ran into Mr. Quinn doing all the work, just as pleasant as could be. We spent a few minutes talking on the way up, then a few more on the way down.
My hat's off to you, sir. Excellent work and thank you. :2thumbsup:
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You are too kind sir. Mt Baden Powell is clear. I cut and or moved four trees blocking the trail. I raked the majority of the trail removing sticks, pine cones and rocks. Close to the summit though there was too much snow and numerous foot prints going in different directions. After going the wrong way twice I decided to comeback another time. I have been told that there is a fair sized lodge pole pine across the trail close to the top.
Gravity, leverage and just plain luck were with me in moving the trees today. One took a little over two hours to cut through though. I will post pics shortly but my phone died about halfway up and although I have a picture of my most menacing challenge, I wish I had one of the final result. It was a proud moment for me.
Next shot at the trail between inspiration point and BP. Thanks to all the folk who offered encouragement and kind words today. I had a blast.
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(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/klquinn797/20110604065056.jpg)
Tree number one
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/klquinn797/20110604070926.jpg)
After
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/klquinn797/20110604073352.jpg)
Before
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/klquinn797/20110604061922.jpg)
Just a shot of the cleaned trail here.
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/klquinn797/20110604075155.jpg)
My biggest challenge. I wish I had an after shot. It frames the downside of the trail and I regraded the trail back to its original course.
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Thanks!! :)
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Wow!! I was disappointed that we couldn't join you today.
Was there much snow at the summit? I've been planning on taking one of my kids up there but heard from some people that it was still a bit icy.
Great Job!! :2thumbsup:
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Kevin,
Nice job. So why have you not filled out an application as a Volunteer for the USFS working out of Big Pines? We can use people like you who really care for the forest and what it has to offer. Bob Moore has left a very large hole in the workforce.
RIP Bob...
Frank Trejillo does alot of trail mantenance and is a volunteer working out of Big Pines as well.
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Wow Kevin, thanks!
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Kevin,
Thanks for the work. My wife and I hiked up to the top of the ridge twice in the last couple weeks and skirted around those trees. We both appreciate the time you spent.
Dave
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On my district here in NM, we have the "Cibola Trail Rangers" that are a volunteer group that have had all the training and "PPE" (personal protective equipment). They have an email list where someone reports problems on the trail and someone runs out and fixes it right away. One of the lead people keeps track of all the trees removed from the trail. It will take awhile to get something like this started but with it in place--WOW! They are so efficient at keeping trails cleared and in shape. Just a suggestion.
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That sounds great. I have some time to check in with the forestry service tomorrow. I have the names of the people involved and I'm pretty sure at first it will be about me fitting into their program and hopefully qualifying. I imagine they have a pretty good system in place, I kind of assumed that the trails were not cleared because of some budget problems. The adventure begins.
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dang, Kevin! you are a dynamo! I couldn't believe I saw you sawing through that tree on Acorn! and then you RAKED THE TRAIL! amazing work!
How much snow was on BP?
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Oh, again thanks. Regarding BP trail, there is still quite a bit of hard packed snow from the summit down I am guessing 1/4 to 1/3 mile. Because I could no longer find the trail it kind of killed my goal of clearing it. About half the people going to the summit went pretty much straight up. The other half stopped where I did fearing the hazards of coming down and loosing their footing. Crazy year, see you on the trail.
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OMG, what a bunch of coincidences!
hope he is ok....
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