Lower Pinch In trailwork July 6-7, 2010

Oh the facts first:
Dates of work July 6 and 7
number of workers: 1 - Jim de Friess
time spent (on trailwork including commute) : 9 hours
Work accomplished: shear work and waterbar cleaning/rebuilding on the lower 1/4 of Pinch In

Now for the story:
Arrived at TH about 9 am and was the only vehicle there. Hiked down Pinch In, I cleaned a few waterbars on the way, in retrospect I wish I had done more. Once off the ridge and into the woods I looked for a route to and across the creek that is north of Pinch In. I off trail hiked to it, looked around and then came back to Pinch In -all with a backpack. My the dead fall was a lot. Considered camping by the trail, then decided I needed to go where I planned and develop a campsite, so I went again. This time I looked for suitable hammock trees, and found the spot I had looked at before. My the dead fall was a lot. So I pushed down hill toward LGT. I saw three 5 gallon bucket containers approximately 100' above the trail, and noticed some flagging. The containers had all been opened and the salt and pepper shakers were laying on the ground, I figured the bears had inspected them. It mostly looked like cooking utensils. I got to LGT and headed north to the first campsite. I had changed my mind and decided camping along the river would be good. In that site there was a camp chair, a tree stand looking thing- (low mounted, I figure they use it as a seat), a garbage bag tied shut. In sitting there resting the bugs found me. This would just not do. So I hiked back up Pinch in looking for hammock trees, and found two too far apart but saw another two about the right distance so went and set up tarp and hammock. Finally getting my pack off. Incidentally where I finally camped and where I first left the trail was about 100' apart.

I ate lunch and I rested, I'm sure I took a nap.

When I woke I grabbed the tools and headed for the steep section that climbs to the ridge, and worked on water bars and shearing. I had plans to get up to the ridge top but I got hot, tired and about halfway (as it turns out). I rested and then left my water bottle there at a good sitting log. The log is across the trail, but it sits good, and can be stepped over so I left it. Once back at camp I discovered I had left the water bottle, so I took a break before retrieving it (it was probably 300 yards away).

With the water bottle retrieved I filled it up and headed for the river. Remembering the state of the campsite to the north, I decided to go south on LGT- which needs work- it could use brushing out. I wasn't sure there would be a campsite, and I remember looking down on the river from a bluff with Ken once, but I kept going and the trail headed downhill to a campsite on the river. The fire pit must have had 15-20 cans in it, all the food was burned out. There were egg shells nearby, I thought at first glimpse it might be toilet paper, so I was glad to see it wasn't. Anyway down the bank was the river. The water was moving here, it was below rapids but it felt good to get into. I brought my creek shoes, so slipping wasn't an issue. I just sat there in some of the lighter current. The water was very refreshing. I had to keep moving though or the trout would come nibble on me. Little 1" trout (I think that is what they were) look like guppies.

I watched the water for about an hour -almost getting too cool, and then decided I was hungry, so I got out and headed back to camp. Ate in my hammock and felt really good and refreshed. Too early for bed but not for note reviewing and snoozing. Realizing I was snoozing I went ahead and got the over sheet/tarp Ken gave me and the sleeping bag. No bugs and perfect temp. A person walked by near dark, no pack and carrying a sleeping bag, I said Hi. I must have snoozed through others passing.

Well it was finally dark enough for bed 8:30, so I got out and in the sleeping bag, well it mostly just covered me - no foam pad under, and it was very comfortable. I turned the flashlight on once in the middle of the night, just to check my tarp which was fine- other than that my flashlight was not needed. Dead weight for the trail.

I woke up sometime after 6 as it was getting light. Ate breakfast and broke camp. It was comfortable and no sun. I started the days trailwork where I left off yesterday. Shearing and using pulaski working up to the ridge- with the backpack on - so I know it can be done. I was eventually in the sun. At the ridge I put the pulaski on the pack and just used the shears. I was hoping to get to Falcon rock, but fatigue told me to put the shears away (about 300 yards below Falcon Rock).

At that point it was hike out. I took multiple breaks and drank my water gator-ade mix. It was still brutal in the sun, and I took two rests in the full sun. Finally I got up to shade (small at first- tucked in beside a tree) but then bigger. It covered the trail in places. I hiked stopping in the shady places, and sometimes even taking off the pack (about every third stop). I knew I didn't have far to go, but was pretty well spent at this point. About 200 yards from the parking lot I quit stopping and made it out. There was breezes at times the whole way up, and as the day progressed they were less refreshing, although having the air stirred helped.

I figured I left camp about 7am and made it to the truck at 1pm, not a speed record I realize. It was a great time in the woods.