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.
