MAR 2010: Sempervirens

FEB/MAR 2010: Sempervirens

The Sempervirens Fund purchased two redwood tracts totaling 267 acres from Redtree Properties of Santa Cruz, CA. Redtree had obtained state permits to cut 35% of the redwood and Douglas fir trees larger than 18 inches in diameter on the smaller 107-acre tract at the intersection of Hwy 9 and 236 before the acquisition of the property. We started preparing the sight on February 27 with Aaron from Sempervirens.

Meadow where the dedication would be held

Looks like the gardening continues from the February weeding work at Rancho del Oso.

Steps were put in to keep people from slipping down the bank.

After about 2 years, with a little help from the crew, my camper shell is going back on.

Short day but a BBQ was a nice ending.

There were 11 crew members that helped out and we were done in about 4 hours. Lunch was ready for us when we got to my house for the BBQ. Thanks J.

MAR 12^th

As most of the crew knows we get a lot more rain on the right side of the hill compared to the bay area. San Jose had a total of 13.01” as of 3-3-10 where Boulder Creek was at 46.29”. Needless to say, the week leading up to the event was very wet. I received a call from Linda the night before asking for advice and help. A long story short. Van got stuck, huge tow rig got stuck and had to use a winch to get it out. The road down to the meadow was a mess. We were able to round up 3 crew members for a day before fix and Linda had hired a contractor too. There was about 12-15 people total. It rained all day and it took about 8 hours to lay a boardwalk, improve the steps, and carry all the supplies needed for the dedication. I was soaked by the time I got home and it took about 2 hour in front of a fire to warm up.

MAR13^th

The trail crew mascot was showing his support with his buddy looking on (too bad they couldn’t attend: other plans).

Junction of Hwy 9 and 236 with the trail head off to the left.

Crew helping people down the trail after spending the morning finishing up preparing the trail.

>Boardwalk viewed from the trail

Landing after the steps

The initial thought was about 100 would attend but over 325 people showed up.

It was a long day and even the supervisor was tired thinking about the past 2 days. There were 15 crew members out on Saturday and some stayed to help break down the dedication area. We start around 8 and ended the day around 4 but there was no rain.

We have received many kind comments about the work we did with this comment being typical.

“That was a beautiful event you put on, just superb. Must have been harrowing yesterday, in the heavy rain, but everything was perfect today. The plywood and steps on the trail, the solicitous young people stationed at strategic points, keeping elderly donors from slipping and sliding. “

There was only one minor slip and one woman could not make it down the trail. I think that is a good showing. Thank all.

See you on the trail - Jeff

FEB 2010: Sequoia Trail

This was day where we traveled .4 miles in about 3 hours. We start at the bottom of the Sequoia trail at No. Escape and from there cleared about 8 fallen trees on our way to Hwy 236.
The last blockage was a Madrone and 2 Tan Oaks. It took a little scrambling to get through.

Along the way we had a little fun rolling the cut sections off the trail.

There was 6 of us out and it took the rest of the day to complete the loop back to HQ. Along the way we heard 2 Pileated Woodpeckers and spotted one at the top of a Fir near the Kirsch trail.

See you on the trail - Jeff

JAN 2010: Rancho del Oso

The first trail work day was by the coast at Rancho del Oso. They wanted some trees taken out and one of the things I don't think fits our job description: WEEDING.

We had a long time member, Dale, showing up all the way from Texas. He has the longest commute of any member.



We cleared 4 trees from the side of the deck. Before we started you could not see the deck from this view.
After lunch we headed out on the trails where one group planted sign posts and I took another to cleared the trail from Alder camp ground to the park HQ.




It was a satisfying day and it stayed foggy all day. Some of us finished the day with a pint at the Davenport Roadhouse.

See you on the trail - Jeff

DEC 2009: Rainy Day and Good Food

This was the Trail Crew's 2nd annual gathering. This year we had it at our home in Boulder Creek. Jeannine and I had just completed a kitchen remodel and were excited to do some real cooking. The crew showed up around 1 pm after a short but wet day. We had a fire going and the food was just about ready.

I think the biggest hit was the pot roast but I preferred the garlic rosemary leg of lamb. We had plenty of veggys from roasted butternut squash and sauteed green beans.There was pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and Fran brought a fantastic pumpkin cheese cake. It was nice to have everyone over and enjoy the stories and conversation.

See you on the trail - Jeff

NOV 2009: A Walk in the Park

This Cedar Waxwing was found on Hwy 9. I was so tame just sitting in our hands. The plan for the day was to clear a redwood off of STS trail but when we got there it was already open.

All day we follow the same route that the State crew did a week earlier. It was a nice walk an there were numerous mushrooms. We had lunch on Middle Ridge fire road near Johansen fire road with three baby rattle snakes. Luck for us it was a cool day and no one sat on them before we noticed them.









This was the tree we were after to clear. I brought the whip saw but we didn't get a chance to use it.


See you on the trail - Jeff

OCT 2009: Lady Bugs

Hey everyone,

It was a beautiful day and we worked along Creeping Forest in the morning. We clear a 10" Tan Oak and then did some hiking to the kiosk at the bridge on No. Escape Rd. at Hollow Tree Trail. There we had lunch and was treated to tens of thousand of lady bugs.

After Lunch we hiked down STS in search of a downed redwood. It was over 4 foot in diameter and we only had a 24" bar saw with us. We cleared out the branches to uncover the trail and decided to return the next month with Big Bertha (A Husqvarna saw with a 48" bar that was given to BBVTC by the Sempervirens Fund. The saw was given to Mary King by the Howard King as a wedding present).

There we 8 members out and we work until around 3:30 but we had a total of 52 volunteer hours by days end.

The Lady Bugs were the high light of the day and we had seen them about 4 years ago in the same place but I think it was in the spring.


See you on the trail - Jeff