NOV 2016 - Creeping Forest Trail

The November 12th workday was a typical fall in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Cold enough to gather in the office in the morning, but warming up later in the day. We had nine people out and because of a report from Kurt Leal of a big mess on the Creeping Forest Trail just off Gazos Creek Fire Rd we decided to stay together until we could take a look at the area. Good call!

Kurt's report said there were two 36-inch Doug Firs that had fallen parallel to the trail and were blocking approximately a 30 yard stretch of the footpath. I was a little skeptical going out, but after after driving the fire road and making the short hike to the site I was quickly convinced as the destroyed section looked more like 35-40 yards in length!

 Any evidence of the trail was totally gone and the debris seemed to go on and on. We have come across areas like this in the past, but this definitely goes down as one of the biggest we have dealt with. It took effort just to make our way from one end of the blockage to the other as we climbed through and over the debris to make sure we knew where the trail was actually located.

Once we had our bearings, Dale Stadelman started on the chainsaw on one end and Chris Young cut from the other end while the remainder of the Crew was busy removing the large amount of debris in between. The only break came when Janie called a well timed lunch break at high noon.

 

Dale at work

 

Chris at the other end

Despite the mess, we got lucky because of the way the two trees had fallen. One tree was on the edge of the trail where it could be left in place while the other lay kind of diagonally across the trail so we could cut a passageway to allow hikers to pass without removing the entire length of tree.

 

 

It was 1:30 by the time the area looked presentable again and we began discussing what other areas we should look at.

Since we were already halfway up Gazos Creek Fire Rd we decided to continue up to Middle Ridge to check on a couple of reports of small trees down in the Sunset/STS Connector area. One was quickly taken care of by a chainsaw while the other was a small tan oak and related debris that was handled with handsaws.

The crew put in 65 hours with a 2016 total of 942 hours with only 58 hours needed to break 1000.  Thanks to Norm Beeson, Jan Hill, Janie Liefhelm, Jordan McDaniel, Mike Peasland, David Philleo, Dale Stadelman, Chris Young, and newcomer Ann McCormick for their efforts on a busy day.

 

See you on the trails.

 

By Mike Peasland

Photos by Mike

Editor Jeff Bleam

OCT 2016 - Howard King, Buzzard's Roost, and the Shed

Thirteen members came out on our first workday in the Fall of 2016.  Only 2 more work days remaining in the year.  Where has the year gone.  The crew split up into 3 groups with Peter and Michelle leading a crew working on the Tool Shed, The Dales working on the chainsaws along Howard King, and Mike leading a group to Buzzards Roost.

SHED

Peter & Michelle, David Bryant, Herman, Curt, and Norm worked on the shed.  Thanks too to Mike for spending his day off priming both sides of the 4 plywood sheets then applying a grit paint to the top surface.  Many hours were then spent watching the paint dry and then hauling them inside safe and sound.  Thanks too to everyone who brought tools, extension cords, screws, and cookies!

The short and sweet story is that we installed the flooring and installed the new vice on the workbench.  Here’s the not so short version:

Once the other two groups left we hauled everything in the clubhouse but the work bench and began working on installing the plywood floor.  Removing the front door took a little while as a couple of the pins in the hinges were a little reluctant to come out.   The closet door was much easier as there were just screws on the hinges.

We started with the 1^st 4x8 sheet in the far left corner going across the back wall, adding the 2^nd full sheet, easy peasy.  The 3^rd sheet which came up to the door required some fancy measuring and several attempts to lay it down.  After a few minor adjustments we were out to the door.

The 4^th sheet needed to be ripped to fill the workbench side.  We started with it from the back right corner but realized later that we should have brought if forward to the closet door – many thanks to Peter & Curt who removed all the screws they had just put in and re-did once we moved the last sheet forward.  We were concerned about where the floor was rotted out under the front door so we cleaned out the old wood on the front side, added a 4’ 2x4 for support then used 3 layers of the plywood to create a level floor surface out to the edge of the landing.  Will need to do more work (flashing, caulking) to make the opening as weather proof as possible.  Trimming about 5/8” off the front door bottom worked perfect with the new floor height, ditto with the closet door.  Using some scrap pieces of our new plywood and some that was shelving in the closet, Peter completed the back corner and closet. 

Once done, we hauled everything back inside and David, Peter, and Michelle started to hang the single lamp under the work bench shelf but there were issues with the screws, the pressed board wood, so will bring a few tools that we didn’t have and take care of next time.  The new vice was also installed on the end of the workbench.  Speaking of tools, we could use a couple of screwdrivers, flat & Phillips, pliers, and perhaps vice grips that we can keep in the toolbox.  I’m sure we’ll think of more but that would be a good start.

Sorry we didn’t get to see the other two groups.  Looking forward to reading about the hard work out on Howard King and Buzzards Roost. 

HOWARD KING TRAIL

Today's  chain saw group consisted of Dale P. and Dale S. Our goal was a 'hatted' tree across Howard King Trail, 20 minutes from Skyline to the Sea Trail. With Dale P. driving, we headed out Hihn Hammond Rd to the first trail crossing and decided to see if we might find it close by. After a short hike we met some hikers who said that the trail was clear back to Skyline to the Sea. So back on the road, pass Mt. McAbee Overlook to the last trail crossing. Then the long downhill hike to the prize. Along the way we came to 2 small trees across the trail. A quick cutting with a hand saw cleared the 4 inch trees.

Arriving at the 24 inch prize, 

 

the fun tools were put to use. Dale P made 4 cuts and Dale S made 1.  Hats off for a great result.

Then came the long torturous uphill hike.  After we got back we checked out the new floor, vise, etc then we called it a day.

BUZZARDS ROOST

While the two Dales headed out to the Howard King Trail and the second crew set to work putting the floor overlay in the tool shed, the third crew lead by Mike headed up to Buzzards Roost. We typically get up there during the slower summer season, but it had been delayed this year because we've had a series of down trees to deal with each month.

It had been over a year since we hiked the entire length of the trail, so we parked at the back of Blooms Creek Campground and started the uphill trek. The lower section was clear and we did some minor brushing as we moved along. Just below where the trail crosses Pine Mountain Fire Rd we stopped at the false trail which every year we close and every year hikers reopen.  Nice to see a sign.

 

As we climbed higher and entered the chaparral environment it became clear that last winter's normal rainfall created an environment for a lot of growth and we were looking at a lot of brushing work. Since it was almost noon, we decided to push on and take lunch at Buzzards Roost before doing the brush work on the way down. 

A little, some times a lot, makes a big difference.  Look like a super highway

When we arrived at the top we were surprised to find that the trail closure that Janie and Peter put in place to keep people from hiking into the old Pine Mtn Overlook was still in place! This was first time in decades that our previous year's work had not been undone by hikers.

After lunch, but before heading back down, Janie showed us the short trail that connects Buzzard's Roost to a fire road below that heads over to the Little Basin area. This was the trail Janie and Peter opened last year at the request of park staff and though it's not yet signed it is on the current trail map.

The trip down the mountain was much slower than coming up as we took time to widen the trail as much as we could. Unless a tree drops on the trail, it'll be next summer before we return for regular maintenance.

The crew  put in 115 hours and thanks to Herman Aster, Norm Beeson, David Bryan, Paul Fleischman, Peter and Michele Gelblum, Janie Liefhelm, Janette Mello, Curt Patrick, Mike Peasland, Dale Petersen, David Philleo and Dale Stadelman.

See you on the trails.

By: Mike, Peter, and Dale S.

Photos by: Peter, Mike, and Dale

Editor: Jeff

SEP 2016 - No. Escape and Eastridge

Our September workday had hints of an early fall as it was a little chilly early, but then warmed quickly for what turned out to be a beautiful day. 

We had a good turnout of nine and were fortunate to have numerous things lined up in advance, so after the usual greetings and figuring out who was going where we split into two groups with D2 leading one group and Norm and Mike leading the other.

While Dale's group headed out along North Escape Rd, the second group started up to the stretch of East Ridge Road that juts off Rogers Rd in the NE section of the park off China Grade Rd. Our goal was assist the Sempervirens Fund in one of their grove preparation projects and we were fortunate to be lead by Nan Bowman, a park interpretive docent who had recently been there. It was not an easy location to find and a fair hike from the road, so it would have been difficult to locate by ourselves.

Once we were guided the end destination, it was fairly easy to clear the route in. As in similar projects it was a lot of pickup sticks as we made the area safe for older visitors, but there were a couple of larger down trees blocking the way and we had to break out the chainsaw. 

 

 

By the time everything was completed it was time for lunch, so we headed back to the Sequoia Trail area to enjoy lunch on Slippery Rock. After lunch we made our way back over Hwy 236 and down the west side of Sequoia Trail where there were reports of a down tree that you could either a.) step over, or b.) climb over. 

 

 

This was a leftover report from August and on arrival we realized that anyone less than 7'2 in height would have a difficult time 'walking over' the blockage. There were two tan oaks blocking the trail and they measured 15-16 inches in diameter. We began by clearing the usual brush from the area and then started cutting the trunk sections blocking the trail. By the time everything was done it was almost 3:30, so we packed up and headed back to HQ and the end of another good day.

 

The second crew consisted of Janie, Peter, Michele and Dale S. We were safely piloted by Janie and somehow correctly navigated by Dale. 

Our 1st stop was on Hollow Tree Trail. While Peter and Michele went on up the trail to look for a smaller tree, Janie and Dale attacked this 20" Tanoak.

After 5 chainsaw cuts Dale and Janie rolled the pieces off the trail and down to ???. The crushing, rolling noises came to a halt somewhere out of site. Shortly thereafter Peter and Michele returned having only found sawdust in their quest.

 

 

Our next stop was a missing 8" Tanoak on Middle Ridge Road just north of its junction with Dool Trail.

 

Followed by a missing 10" oak across Gazos Creek Road, just pass its junction with Middle Ridge Road.

Next came our all important lunch break at Middle Ridge Road.

 

Seeing a red dot on our map not too far away on Sunset Trail, we decided to check it out. On the way, before the the Connector Trail, we cleared a Tanoak that was hanging low across the trail. While working on this, a coupled hikers reported that they hadn't seen anything on Sunset, saving us a few steps.

Next we headed up to China Grade Road. Parking at the Skyline to the Sea Trail crossing, we headed off to a 12" Madrone on the Basin Trail.

After 3 or 4 cuts the trail was clear.

On our way back, we cut back a Madrone that had been previously cut to about 8' clearance above the trail and a 6" Madrone whose trunk was broken 5' up and leaning across the trail.

The crew put in 74 hours with 762 hours for the year with a change to go over 1000 hours this year.  Thanks to Norm Beeson, Peter and Michele Gelblum, Janie Liefhelm, Janette Mello, Curt Patrick, Mike Peasland, Dale Stadelman, and newcomer Jordan McDaniel, for coming out.

 

Post by Mike, Dale S., and editing by Jeff

Photos by Mike, Kurt, and Michelle

AUG 2016 - No. Escape Rd.

Norm spoke with Sr. Park Aide Daniel about the BIG Doug fir across N. Escape Rd and said that he and Ranger Alex had cleared a bit of the debris but that there was more to do so that's where we started. Because the Opal Creek was just below the site we had talked about hauling the remaining debris somewhere else but when we got to the scene there was way too much to haul.  So we moved all the stuff to the edge of the road where the park trail crew can decide what to to do with it.

Thanks to Dale S for his chain saw work,  David B. for his acrobatics, and all who helped clear the road to where we could drive further up to our next location, the junction of Sequoia Trail & N Escape Rd.

Our notes said that 1/2 way down the Sequoia trail there was a Doug Fir that had slid across the trail causing major "destruction".  Heading up the trail we quickly met a couple coming down who said there were a couple of trees more towards the top that they had to step over so we thought we would attack from Highway 236. 

Stopping for the all important trail crew lunch at a picnic table back down the road, we then headed up Hwy 236 to finish the 44" Doug fir that we weren't able to get last month on East Ridge Trail.  We thought we would knock this out then head up to take care of the trees on Sequoia Trail but the fir kept us busy until a little after 4.  Not 36" but just a few inches under  a 4' diameter. 

Thanks to all for a fun, tough, productive day!  The crew put in 64 hours and thanks to Dale S., Janie, Janette, Bill & Jan, David B., Norm, and first timer Paul.  Paul heard about us from the trail crew brochure in the Sempervirens Room.

JUL 2016 - Shadowbrook and East Ridge area

It was a beautiful Saturday morning to kick things off!  After our usual socializing we headed over to the shed and due to the great turnout we were able to split into two groups.  Group 1 consisted of Peter & Michelle, David B, Janie, & Janette.  Let it be noted that this valiant group worked until 4pm.

From Peter:  We headed over to Blooms Creek campground, where we found, cut, and cleared an 8” tan oak from the trail while we were looking for the debris on the East Ridge trail.  We did find the brush on East Ridge that was just east of the Pine Mountain Trail.

 

Crew 1

From there we drove to the edge of Blooms Creek campground and hiked along the East Ridge Trail locating and retrieving the reported rotting trail sign which we picked up and took back to HQ.  We crossed 236 and turned right on to East Ridge and found a 36-48” Douglas fir completely blocking the trail.  No chain saw, so we cleared all the surrounding brush that the tree had taken down.  We didn’t know if this was in the chain saw area but it would be good if someone could take care of it soon, because a path has already started up and around it.  About 0.1 mile past the fir there was a 12” tan oak and a bunch of brush.  We cleared the brush and started cutting the tree with our handsaws but it was just too hard and was taking too long, so we stopped, figuring that whoever comes to cut up the big fir can do the tan oak in a few minutes  (7/13-Norm spoke with a senior park aid who said he would try to take care of both the fir & 12” tan oak). Clearing the brush created a huge amount of dust and we were all coughing like crazy – the smart people (the women) took protective measures.

We had lunch in a nice spot off the trail then walked back to the car.  We picked up an additional rotted trail sign and returned it to HQ.  We stopped at HQ, gave Susan the signs, picked up the whipsaw in case we needed it on the next and last bit of work, what was supposed to be a 10” tree of some kind on east ridge, east of the connector with Shadow Brook.  We decided to go in at the tent cabins, which was definitely the closest point, but that hill on the connector trail is STEEP!  Someone had gotten to the downed tree before us – sawdust still on the trail.  We came across a large bunch of rotted redwood across the trail so Janette & Michelle cleaned it spotlessly while the rest of us went looking for the downed tree.  Great day of work.

Group 2 included Dales P., Dale S., Herman, Norm, and Chris Young.   Looking for several downed Tan Oaks on the East Ridge Trail reported by Susan Blake, we headed out of the park to Lodge Road (Lodge Road in the park has large washout making in inaccessible just above lower Sky Meadow residences) then back to the park where we went through the gate and Dale P. bravely drove his nice new pickup down the trail/road where we came to the mess. 

 

Crew 2 on East Ridge

We motored on down to where the East Ridge Trail crosses Lower China Grade then went down the trail a bit and cleared a 10” tan oak that was lying across the trail.

A little lopping on the way back to the truck then we headed back to see if we could find Group #1.  We checked near Blooms Creek campground, 236, then by the tent cabins in Huckleberry campground but we missed them.

We headed back to the shed for lunch – afterwards Dale S. continued his efforts of sharpening loppers, pulaskis & McLeods - more work needed but off to a great start!  A little spray of silicone and they’re ready for next month.  David B stopped by to pick up the whipsaw saying the group was having fun?!

The crew put in a total of 82 hours and many thanks to Chris Young, Dale P, Dale S, David B, Herman, Janette, Janie, Michelle, Peter, and Norm.

JUN 2016 - No. Escape and Middleridge

Saturday morning was gorgeous, a little on the cool side but gloriously sunny.  After our usual hobnobbing we headed over to the shed where Janie showed us the great trail crew sign she & her brother-in-law created.

 Impressive sign at the revised tool shed

After taking a look at the new BBVTC sign we divided up tools between two groups, one with Dale 2, Dave B, Janette, Peter, and Michelle, the other with Curt, Dale P, Janie, and Norm.  The 2 crews caravaned headed up N. Escape Rd where we left Dale S group at the locked gate adjacent to the Maddock Cabin site, to work out on the Skyline to the Sea (STS) trail toward Hollow Tree trail.

Norm's Crew

Norm's group drove further out N. Escape and parked by the kiosk and headed out STS towards our downed trees.  They set off searching for "that tree across the trail."  Crossing Opal Creek from N. Escape Road they passed by the Maddock Cabin site then onward up the  STS trail.  Hiking with tools, continual use of loppers and hand saws to trim up the trail was interrupted when runners passed by coming down from Castle Rock on their way to the finish line near headquarters. But "that tree across the trail" eluded them .  A couple of the trees on the watch list were up so high over the trail and not at risk of falling that they were not cut.  Finally their long and winding "hike-with-tools" brought them to Dale's group, where they were just in time to get themselves into the "after" photos of what David said looked like it had been a particularly gnarly mess (it was!).

Dale S Crew 

The first thing Dale's crew came across was a 14" Tan Oak on Sequoia Trail above No. Escape.  A couple of cuts an it was cleared. 

 

 

Crews Come Together

 Finally their long and winding "hike-with-tools" brought them to Dale's group, where they were just in time to get themselves into the "after" photos of what David said looked like it had been a particularly gnarly mess (it was!).

With the 2 crews together the first stop was to clear two very small oak stretching parallel across the trail (Jans photo w/Bill) and continued up just past the Hollow Tree trail junction, crossing a gorgeous creek then came upon our next project – one or two large tan oaks that were pretty much blocking the entire trail.

We headed back to the kiosk for, what else, lunch.   Rested, we all piled into Dale's pickup and headed back down N. Escape Rd, where we picked up Dave P. who had been on a walk,  to the Sequoia Trail junction where a group finished up the tree that was started on last month.  We bid goodbye to Dave B. as he had domestic chores to take care of (dancing? or is it too early?).  We then headed out Gazos Creek Rd and turned off onto Middle Ridge Rd where just past the junction of Dool Trail we took card of a Doug Fir blocking the road.  We weren’t sure if we were out of the restricted Murrelet zone so hand saws were used.  Once done we headed down Dool trail to clear a small step-over spot Kurt had noted.

 Finally on Middleridge Road there was a small Tan oak that was easily cleared.

  

We walked the short section down to where the trail met Gazos Creek Rd, with Dale, so conveniently, waiting with his pickup.  We piled back in and drove back down to the shed where we unloaded tools and wound down for the day.  Dale 2 sharpened the loppers and I sprayed them with silicone. 

The crew put in 72 hours and thanks to Curt, Dale P, Dale S, Dave B, Dave P, Janette, Janie, Michelle, Peter, and Norm.

Happy Trails!

Norm and Dale S.

Jeff editor

Photos by Jaine, Norm, and Dale S.