Acorn Trail Blocked

[Kevin Quinn]

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.

[makgirl]

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?

[klquinn]

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.

[mtntrekker]

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. 

[Kevin Quinn]

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.

[Kevin Quinn]

Tree number one

After


Before


Just a shot of the cleaned trail here.


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.

[Nolena]

Thanks!! 

[CNMmom]

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!!

[RobertW]

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.

[ChrisLynnet]

Wow Kevin, thanks!

[Kevin Quinn]

[Dave C]

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

[K9luvr]

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.

[Kevin Quinn]

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.

[kawasaki_girl]

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?

[Kevin Quinn]

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.

[Kevin Quinn]

[kawasaki_girl]

OMG, what a bunch of coincidences!
hope he is ok....

[klquinn]