Date of work: Dec 18th
Number of workers: 2 - Jim de Friess, Ken Crump
Time spent: 10 hours, includes commutes
Work done: Went to the middle of RJ and primarily did some tread work just south of Zen creek. Two trees fell in the old trail a couple years ago, and we had bypassed it just up the hill. Occasionally people go across the trunk and then find the next one, its obvious. Since the trees are huge and still in the trail, we did tread work to make the bypass permanent and tied it into the trail well. About 150 feet of tread work.
We then headed off toward the south side of Bluejay to the tree across the trail just above waist high. Its not there anymore. We cleared a few trees as part of the tread work and along the way to Bluejay.
A good day in the woods with a great person.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Dec 15, 2011 Uppermost Pinch In
Date of work: Dec 15th 2011
number of workers : 1 - Jim de Friess
time spent: 3 hours (includes partial commute)
work done: reworked and built waterbars on the uppermost part of Pinch In. I think I did eight features to help runoff run off the trail instead of down. I would use a log on top of the waterbar to hopefully keep it from being trampled, but rather stepped over. We'll see how that works.
I only spent two hours on the trail, then went and cut a load of wood.
It was a great day.
number of workers : 1 - Jim de Friess
time spent: 3 hours (includes partial commute)
work done: reworked and built waterbars on the uppermost part of Pinch In. I think I did eight features to help runoff run off the trail instead of down. I would use a log on top of the waterbar to hopefully keep it from being trampled, but rather stepped over. We'll see how that works.
I only spent two hours on the trail, then went and cut a load of wood.
It was a great day.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Upper Pinch In - Dec. 11, 2011
Date of work: Dec 11, 2011
Number of workers: 2 Jim and Terri de Friess
Time spent : 9 hours
Work done: My wife and I went out to Pinch In and walked down to the cliff area. Several more trees had fallen since the Thanksgiving weekend trip when I had been there last. I was able to chop the higher ones and either remove them, or reduce them to step overs. I also cleaned and re-established some waterbars. Terri clipped while I chopped.
At the cliffs we took a break (briefly). There was enough wind and the temps were in the 40s, so getting cooled off quickly happened.
Then I put the pulaski on my pack and took out shears, and we clipped the trail on the way out.
Upper PI is in decent shape. I always have thoughts of what can be done better, but who doesn't?
It was a great day in the woods with great company.
Number of workers: 2 Jim and Terri de Friess
Time spent : 9 hours
Work done: My wife and I went out to Pinch In and walked down to the cliff area. Several more trees had fallen since the Thanksgiving weekend trip when I had been there last. I was able to chop the higher ones and either remove them, or reduce them to step overs. I also cleaned and re-established some waterbars. Terri clipped while I chopped.
At the cliffs we took a break (briefly). There was enough wind and the temps were in the 40s, so getting cooled off quickly happened.
Then I put the pulaski on my pack and took out shears, and we clipped the trail on the way out.
Upper PI is in decent shape. I always have thoughts of what can be done better, but who doesn't?
It was a great day in the woods with great company.
Southern LGT November 25th
Date of work: November 25th, 2011
number of workers: 2 - Jim de Friess, Wayne Stines
Time spent:8.5 hours- includes partial commute, since our trip was not exclusively a work trip.
Work accomplished: Wayne and I backpacked in to camp along Pinch In trail, and then headed south toward daffodil flats (DF). We threw debris out of the trail and came to one area where people had been bypassing a trail blockage on the uphill side. It was a rather awkward bypass.
We continued south to an area just north of DF, where the trail come back to a point right along the river. We decided at that point to turn around. Last April I had noticed a campsite near the river and abandoned gear. It was still there. Wayne and I bagged it up and ultimately put it on a pole between us, and headed back toward our campsite. On the way back we stopped and cleared the place that was blocked with pulaski. From PI to almost DF along LGT should be in decent shape, one other area is blocked but bypassed, it would take a while to clear that one.
Once in camp, we sorted the trash and burned what we could. We divided up what wouldn't burn and carried it up PI the next day. It consisted of several pots, silverware, three glass bottles and two used propane cylinders.
number of workers: 2 - Jim de Friess, Wayne Stines
Time spent:8.5 hours- includes partial commute, since our trip was not exclusively a work trip.
Work accomplished: Wayne and I backpacked in to camp along Pinch In trail, and then headed south toward daffodil flats (DF). We threw debris out of the trail and came to one area where people had been bypassing a trail blockage on the uphill side. It was a rather awkward bypass.
We continued south to an area just north of DF, where the trail come back to a point right along the river. We decided at that point to turn around. Last April I had noticed a campsite near the river and abandoned gear. It was still there. Wayne and I bagged it up and ultimately put it on a pole between us, and headed back toward our campsite. On the way back we stopped and cleared the place that was blocked with pulaski. From PI to almost DF along LGT should be in decent shape, one other area is blocked but bypassed, it would take a while to clear that one.
Once in camp, we sorted the trash and burned what we could. We divided up what wouldn't burn and carried it up PI the next day. It consisted of several pots, silverware, three glass bottles and two used propane cylinders.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
October 11, 2011 northern RJ
Date of work: 10-11-2011
Number of workers: 3 Jim d, Ken C, and Michael H
Time spent: 19 hours - includes commutes
Work done: The steep ascent to the south out of Fern canyon was addressed by cutting some nearly flat step like cuts, carefully and at an angle to hopefully allow water to run off, and not down the trail.
Clipping was also very thoroughly done from Hacker's point to the turn south beyond split rock.
We noticed a tree across the trail that will have to be crawled under south of split rock. The pulaski was behind the clippers so we were'nt able to address it on this trip. Aside from that RJ should be clear and open and clipped at least a little all the way through, being thinnest in moonshine canyon and south.
Great leaves, today. Rain was light, and we had a great day.
Number of workers: 3 Jim d, Ken C, and Michael H
Time spent: 19 hours - includes commutes
Work done: The steep ascent to the south out of Fern canyon was addressed by cutting some nearly flat step like cuts, carefully and at an angle to hopefully allow water to run off, and not down the trail.
Clipping was also very thoroughly done from Hacker's point to the turn south beyond split rock.
We noticed a tree across the trail that will have to be crawled under south of split rock. The pulaski was behind the clippers so we were'nt able to address it on this trip. Aside from that RJ should be clear and open and clipped at least a little all the way through, being thinnest in moonshine canyon and south.
Great leaves, today. Rain was light, and we had a great day.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Oct 6, 2011 mid Rock jock
Date of work :10-6-2011
number of workers: 2 - Ken Crump and Jim de Friess
time spent: 17 hours includes commute
Work done: Ken and I went in to mid Rock Jock to work on trees across the trail that were a little higher than step over. We worked on 4 waist high trees. Two side by side about 300 yards from Split Rock, a big pine just north of the next creek heading south (Zen creek) and another just before the second creek heading south (Razor creek). If my memory serves all the difficult trees to cross have been addressed for the entire trail. We'd like to do a little more work on the pine near Zen creek, but we were able to cut it once and leverage the top part to the north creating a gap that can be stepped through.
The other work we did was to clip the trail from about 300 yards south of split rock all the way to razor creek very well.
The thin spots (need more clipping) in the trail are from razor creek south to somewhere on the other side of Moonshine canyon. Also from hackers point to beyond split rock.
The trail however is discernible and open, and now has four less hard trees to cross.
The leaves were beautiful, and it was a great day in the woods with great company.
number of workers: 2 - Ken Crump and Jim de Friess
time spent: 17 hours includes commute
Work done: Ken and I went in to mid Rock Jock to work on trees across the trail that were a little higher than step over. We worked on 4 waist high trees. Two side by side about 300 yards from Split Rock, a big pine just north of the next creek heading south (Zen creek) and another just before the second creek heading south (Razor creek). If my memory serves all the difficult trees to cross have been addressed for the entire trail. We'd like to do a little more work on the pine near Zen creek, but we were able to cut it once and leverage the top part to the north creating a gap that can be stepped through.
The other work we did was to clip the trail from about 300 yards south of split rock all the way to razor creek very well.
The thin spots (need more clipping) in the trail are from razor creek south to somewhere on the other side of Moonshine canyon. Also from hackers point to beyond split rock.
The trail however is discernible and open, and now has four less hard trees to cross.
The leaves were beautiful, and it was a great day in the woods with great company.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
9-25-2011 RJ
Date of work: 9-25-2011
number of workers : 2 Jim de Friess, and Ken Crump
time spent : 22 hours includes commutes
Work done: We clipped from Mossy falls (where we got to last Tuesday) all the way past Tee shirt point and into the back of the next canyon. We clipped thoroughly that section. 4 hours or so of clipping. At about 2pm, we continued heading north, clipping less and moving faster. We through hiked RJ all the way to old Conley. We took our time on the one brief section in Blue Jay where the growth was so thick at the top of the loose rocks.
The southern 1.5 miles is in good shape, the northern 1.5 miles is in good shape. Its a little thin in the middle but its followable.
All our work was clipping, we do know where some trees are across the trail though. There is a big one between Zen creek and split rock. We were beat though, and decided to save it for another day. The truck at the north end looked good. It was a great day Ken
My pictures are at
https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/September252011
number of workers : 2 Jim de Friess, and Ken Crump
time spent : 22 hours includes commutes
Work done: We clipped from Mossy falls (where we got to last Tuesday) all the way past Tee shirt point and into the back of the next canyon. We clipped thoroughly that section. 4 hours or so of clipping. At about 2pm, we continued heading north, clipping less and moving faster. We through hiked RJ all the way to old Conley. We took our time on the one brief section in Blue Jay where the growth was so thick at the top of the loose rocks.
The southern 1.5 miles is in good shape, the northern 1.5 miles is in good shape. Its a little thin in the middle but its followable.
All our work was clipping, we do know where some trees are across the trail though. There is a big one between Zen creek and split rock. We were beat though, and decided to save it for another day. The truck at the north end looked good. It was a great day Ken
My pictures are at
https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/September252011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
south RJ 9-20-2011
Date of work: 9-20-2011
number of workers: 4 Ken C, William F, Karen B, and Jim d
Time spent: 11 hours travel, 26 hours on the trail - total
Work done: We clipped growth and chopped a few trees from the ridge where RJ turns north from the south entrance all the way to mossy falls.
We met at Pinch In, William did some side exploring, and surveyed upper Pinch In. There are some trees across it. Then he joined the other three of us on RJ, and we worked through the back of Mossy Canyon and around to Mossy Falls. Ken and William went further and I know they made it to tee- shirt point, we saw Williams shirt. Very appropriate name. One of them will have to comment on the amount of clipping they did beyond the falls. The falls by the way was running, very slowly, but enough we filled water bottles.
The work was mostly clipping back the summer growth, there was one maple on the south side of Mossy that would be real awkward to cross so we took the time to remove it. There was also some new dead fall across the part of the trail down the first hill from the road we cleared on the way in.
There is a good crop of Poison Ivy just on the north side of the back of the canyon at the trail for those with that allergy. I clipped it back as best I could, so its out of the trail for now.
Couldn't ask for a better group of workers. They made sure of their footing first, then clipped accordingly. It was a great day in the woods, the leaves were mostly green, but definitely already some color
Thanks.
number of workers: 4 Ken C, William F, Karen B, and Jim d
Time spent: 11 hours travel, 26 hours on the trail - total
Work done: We clipped growth and chopped a few trees from the ridge where RJ turns north from the south entrance all the way to mossy falls.
We met at Pinch In, William did some side exploring, and surveyed upper Pinch In. There are some trees across it. Then he joined the other three of us on RJ, and we worked through the back of Mossy Canyon and around to Mossy Falls. Ken and William went further and I know they made it to tee- shirt point, we saw Williams shirt. Very appropriate name. One of them will have to comment on the amount of clipping they did beyond the falls. The falls by the way was running, very slowly, but enough we filled water bottles.
The work was mostly clipping back the summer growth, there was one maple on the south side of Mossy that would be real awkward to cross so we took the time to remove it. There was also some new dead fall across the part of the trail down the first hill from the road we cleared on the way in.
There is a good crop of Poison Ivy just on the north side of the back of the canyon at the trail for those with that allergy. I clipped it back as best I could, so its out of the trail for now.
Couldn't ask for a better group of workers. They made sure of their footing first, then clipped accordingly. It was a great day in the woods, the leaves were mostly green, but definitely already some color
Thanks.
Monday, September 5, 2011
9-5-2011 Southern RJ
Date of work: 9-5-2011
Time spent: 8 hours includes commute
number of workers: 1 - Jim de Friess
Work accomplished:- in a nutshell clipping along the trail, some waterbars cleaned others made, removed or worked around major obstacles.
Well after much hem hawing I decided to go out and do some trail work, sorry Billy- didn't tell him. I watched the rain and decided it would be light until sometime in the afternoon. So I proceeded out to the south end of RJ and picked up where Ken and Michael left off last week. It was misty with limited visibility all the way up Kistler and lightly raining when I parked, so I decided to clip my way down the hill to the cliffs, and actually got down the ridge to where it turns off the ridge. I clipped slowly and thoroughly, and stopped a couple times to pull out the pulaski to chop trees that were in the way. The first of the trees was the pine that has been hanging a while, and most people are going under, I helped it to go ahead and fall, and trimmed the end up so people could easily get around.
A while later a tree was more than knee high across the trail so the pulaski had to come out again for it. Also on the way down I used trunks at angles across the trail to start waterbars. I would finish them on the way out. A log someone steps over is a great way to protect a waterbar.
Nearing the bottom there was two trees blocking the trail, a Pine and a hardwood. I chopped the pine to separate it from its stump, which made it lower. The hardwood can be stepped over. At this point there was no "clearing the trail" but a route around the blockage was easy enough and in the trail corridor.
The rain was off and on, and the camera was tucked inside a plastic bag in my pack. After a couple hours it was probably the only dry thing I had. I even removed my glasses very early on since they fogged up and I could see better without them. I did get some pictures near the bottom when the rain stopped and the fog cleared briefly. The fog rolled in and out at that point and the rain was anywhere from none to heavy. I didn't care, an open ended day of trail fun is a rarity for me, all I had to do was get out by dark.
In one part of the trail it looked like a dead pine was hanging over the trail being propped up by a dead rhodo. It appeared that when it fell it would fall along the trail. So I cut the rhodo, and the pine didn't fall, it was still hanging on - but now it was even more likely it would fall, so I cut the pine down. It proceeded to arch across the trail. At that point I cut the top of it off, and then I really had a blockage arched very low across the trail. Well the third cut on the pine got it on the ground finally- whew.
Further down there was a hole in the ground on the uphill side of the trail. I looked in and didn't see anything while it was raining. On the way out I looked again, and saw the gold and black yellowjackets looking back. I actually think they were relieved to see me rather than the bear that dug the hole.
Well I cut through the locust down the ridge to finish, but it wasn't that bad. I think the trail is discernible, beyond where I stopped, but it needs some clipping too. On the way back out I cleaned out waterbars, and moved some dirt to help finish making the ones I started on the way down. It was a great day in the woods, and the weather was perfect for trail fun.
Photos at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/September52011RJ#
Time spent: 8 hours includes commute
number of workers: 1 - Jim de Friess
Work accomplished:- in a nutshell clipping along the trail, some waterbars cleaned others made, removed or worked around major obstacles.
Well after much hem hawing I decided to go out and do some trail work, sorry Billy- didn't tell him. I watched the rain and decided it would be light until sometime in the afternoon. So I proceeded out to the south end of RJ and picked up where Ken and Michael left off last week. It was misty with limited visibility all the way up Kistler and lightly raining when I parked, so I decided to clip my way down the hill to the cliffs, and actually got down the ridge to where it turns off the ridge. I clipped slowly and thoroughly, and stopped a couple times to pull out the pulaski to chop trees that were in the way. The first of the trees was the pine that has been hanging a while, and most people are going under, I helped it to go ahead and fall, and trimmed the end up so people could easily get around.
A while later a tree was more than knee high across the trail so the pulaski had to come out again for it. Also on the way down I used trunks at angles across the trail to start waterbars. I would finish them on the way out. A log someone steps over is a great way to protect a waterbar.
Nearing the bottom there was two trees blocking the trail, a Pine and a hardwood. I chopped the pine to separate it from its stump, which made it lower. The hardwood can be stepped over. At this point there was no "clearing the trail" but a route around the blockage was easy enough and in the trail corridor.
The rain was off and on, and the camera was tucked inside a plastic bag in my pack. After a couple hours it was probably the only dry thing I had. I even removed my glasses very early on since they fogged up and I could see better without them. I did get some pictures near the bottom when the rain stopped and the fog cleared briefly. The fog rolled in and out at that point and the rain was anywhere from none to heavy. I didn't care, an open ended day of trail fun is a rarity for me, all I had to do was get out by dark.
In one part of the trail it looked like a dead pine was hanging over the trail being propped up by a dead rhodo. It appeared that when it fell it would fall along the trail. So I cut the rhodo, and the pine didn't fall, it was still hanging on - but now it was even more likely it would fall, so I cut the pine down. It proceeded to arch across the trail. At that point I cut the top of it off, and then I really had a blockage arched very low across the trail. Well the third cut on the pine got it on the ground finally- whew.
Further down there was a hole in the ground on the uphill side of the trail. I looked in and didn't see anything while it was raining. On the way out I looked again, and saw the gold and black yellowjackets looking back. I actually think they were relieved to see me rather than the bear that dug the hole.
Well I cut through the locust down the ridge to finish, but it wasn't that bad. I think the trail is discernible, beyond where I stopped, but it needs some clipping too. On the way back out I cleaned out waterbars, and moved some dirt to help finish making the ones I started on the way down. It was a great day in the woods, and the weather was perfect for trail fun.
Photos at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/September52011RJ#
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
8-30-2011 Northern RJ
Date of work: 8/30/2011
Number of workers3: Jim d, Ken C, and Michael H
time spent: 29 hours includes commutes
Work done: We thoroughly clipped the Northern end of RJ from Conley Cove trail to one of the side routes out to Fern point. This also involved removing two newly fallen trees, and the hemlock across the trail in fern canyon (at least partially). Any trees remaining across the trail are below knee height for an average adult.
Heading south out of fern canyon after the steep climb where its starts to level but is still not to the top, Ken found a yellow jacket nest on the uphill side of the trail. He immediately upon noticing them quit clipping on their front porch and was not stung. The nest is along the trail, and we passed it going out and coming back without incident. That is probably the only area of North RJ that could use some more minimal clipping.
On an earlier trip Ken and I had worked from Hackers back to fern, so we're confident the trail is in great shape on the north end at least to Hackers. Its ready for the fall hiking season, and we saw a few maples turning along with the sourwood trees.
Ken and Michael may have done additional work since I had to leave early (1:30), so this may need amending. It was a great day in the woods with two wonderful people, and swinging that Pulaski in Fern canyon did my spirit a world of good. Almost as much good as getting to spend time with Ken and Michael.
Number of workers3: Jim d, Ken C, and Michael H
time spent: 29 hours includes commutes
Work done: We thoroughly clipped the Northern end of RJ from Conley Cove trail to one of the side routes out to Fern point. This also involved removing two newly fallen trees, and the hemlock across the trail in fern canyon (at least partially). Any trees remaining across the trail are below knee height for an average adult.
Heading south out of fern canyon after the steep climb where its starts to level but is still not to the top, Ken found a yellow jacket nest on the uphill side of the trail. He immediately upon noticing them quit clipping on their front porch and was not stung. The nest is along the trail, and we passed it going out and coming back without incident. That is probably the only area of North RJ that could use some more minimal clipping.
On an earlier trip Ken and I had worked from Hackers back to fern, so we're confident the trail is in great shape on the north end at least to Hackers. Its ready for the fall hiking season, and we saw a few maples turning along with the sourwood trees.
Ken and Michael may have done additional work since I had to leave early (1:30), so this may need amending. It was a great day in the woods with two wonderful people, and swinging that Pulaski in Fern canyon did my spirit a world of good. Almost as much good as getting to spend time with Ken and Michael.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Upper Babel tower trail 7-16-2011
Date of work : 7/16/2011
number of workers: 3 - Jim and Jared de Friess and Ken Toole
time spent: 6.5 hours each (includes commute)
Work done: Shear, lopper, and Pulaski work as needed in the upper 1/4 of the trail. We initially talked of walking to the bottom and cutting our way out, but soon discovered the trail had closed in somewhat, and our light clipping became full blown. We worked our way to below the twin trees across the trail that I call the "gateway to the gorge". One bigger trunk was across the trail around the corner below that. People had found a bypass, and we just widened it. Further down I saw yellow jackets swarming on the up hill side of the trail so I clipped mostly to the down hill side and just a little on the uphill side. An old hornets nest was there above the swarm, so it seems to be a popular spot for stinging insects. When we got to the place with the first good view we noticed a waist high tree across the trail, that had to be either awkwardly gone over or crawled under. One cut later and Ken T was able to stand the lower trunk back up such that it is off the trail. 100 feet further another double tree was blocking the trail. People were getting through, but could easily slide off trail down the trunk as it rotted. The smaller tree was on top and we soon had it cut and laying on the downhill edge of the trail, and then notched out the stump of the bigger tree for a foot hold. We clipped about another 100 feet or so and checked just a little further ahead for more trees across the trail, but didn't see any. Two tricky places were either removed or made better. We had clipped about 4 hours - which flew by so we were having a great time.
While clipping down multiple people passed us, and most of our clippings were landing in the trail to mulch it. One commented that they thought the cuttings on the trail made it more slippery. The day's weather consisted of a misty rain, 65F, and all the rocks were wet already, most were wonderfully appreciative as the trail was wide enough where we had worked, they weren't getting wet walking through the bushes. On the way out we flung clippings out of the way in what we would consider the trickiest areas. Coming up the hill was a little less slippery anyway.
It was great working with Ken T, he got to see what we normally do, and worked cautiously. I hope there are many other work trips. Babel might be my work destination for a while until cooler temps come along.
Thanks Ken and Jared.
number of workers: 3 - Jim and Jared de Friess and Ken Toole
time spent: 6.5 hours each (includes commute)
Work done: Shear, lopper, and Pulaski work as needed in the upper 1/4 of the trail. We initially talked of walking to the bottom and cutting our way out, but soon discovered the trail had closed in somewhat, and our light clipping became full blown. We worked our way to below the twin trees across the trail that I call the "gateway to the gorge". One bigger trunk was across the trail around the corner below that. People had found a bypass, and we just widened it. Further down I saw yellow jackets swarming on the up hill side of the trail so I clipped mostly to the down hill side and just a little on the uphill side. An old hornets nest was there above the swarm, so it seems to be a popular spot for stinging insects. When we got to the place with the first good view we noticed a waist high tree across the trail, that had to be either awkwardly gone over or crawled under. One cut later and Ken T was able to stand the lower trunk back up such that it is off the trail. 100 feet further another double tree was blocking the trail. People were getting through, but could easily slide off trail down the trunk as it rotted. The smaller tree was on top and we soon had it cut and laying on the downhill edge of the trail, and then notched out the stump of the bigger tree for a foot hold. We clipped about another 100 feet or so and checked just a little further ahead for more trees across the trail, but didn't see any. Two tricky places were either removed or made better. We had clipped about 4 hours - which flew by so we were having a great time.
While clipping down multiple people passed us, and most of our clippings were landing in the trail to mulch it. One commented that they thought the cuttings on the trail made it more slippery. The day's weather consisted of a misty rain, 65F, and all the rocks were wet already, most were wonderfully appreciative as the trail was wide enough where we had worked, they weren't getting wet walking through the bushes. On the way out we flung clippings out of the way in what we would consider the trickiest areas. Coming up the hill was a little less slippery anyway.
It was great working with Ken T, he got to see what we normally do, and worked cautiously. I hope there are many other work trips. Babel might be my work destination for a while until cooler temps come along.
Thanks Ken and Jared.
Friday, July 8, 2011
July 7th 2011 Brushy Ridge Trail
The wife and I hiked Brushy Ridge trail to the point where it starts descending steeply into the gorge, just before we did a little off trail exploring to the north. On the way back we took the side route to reference rock where we took a break. While on BRT and when I had the loppers I actively cut some of the briers and and lower hanging fauna to make the trail even a little more friendly. Don't get me wrong it was easily discernible and had no major obstructions, I just lightly clipped as we went.
It was a good day in the woods, the gnats were bad initially, on the way out the nearby t-storm had caused more breezes and they were not noticeable. We did not get rained on.
It was a good day in the woods, the gnats were bad initially, on the way out the nearby t-storm had caused more breezes and they were not noticeable. We did not get rained on.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
6/5/2011 northern RJ
Date of work: 6/5/2011
number of workers:1 (Jim de Friess)
time spent:6 hours includes commute
Work done: Arrived and got ready to hike at old Conley by 10 am. Ken popped out of the woods startling me. We hiked to Hacker's point clipping only what was sticking out on the trail. At Hacker's we decided to clip back toward Old Conley. We had discussed going further, but looking back, I'm glad we didn't. We clipped really well from hackers back to the south side of Fern canyon at that point we were feeling tired and clipped faster- not being as thorough and leaving some. I guess Ken made fern canyon look good, after that we it was quick clipping.
There was one tree at the turn people use to fern point, that Ken chopped, we moved and then cleaned up the trail.
At Jason's puddle we went out to lost dog, but decided not to hang hammocks, opting for the campsite at old Conley instead. We came out by lost dog pond which was down to mud only.
At Old Conley we hung hammocks, had a snack and whittled some - off the clock. There was an occasional black fly- looking for Jason, some mosquitos, but it was in the shade- not cold but cooler - pleasant. A few hikers went by.
It was a great day in the woods with Ken. The sun sapped up all my energy though.
RJ is in good shape from Conley to Hacker's
number of workers:1 (Jim de Friess)
time spent:6 hours includes commute
Work done: Arrived and got ready to hike at old Conley by 10 am. Ken popped out of the woods startling me. We hiked to Hacker's point clipping only what was sticking out on the trail. At Hacker's we decided to clip back toward Old Conley. We had discussed going further, but looking back, I'm glad we didn't. We clipped really well from hackers back to the south side of Fern canyon at that point we were feeling tired and clipped faster- not being as thorough and leaving some. I guess Ken made fern canyon look good, after that we it was quick clipping.
There was one tree at the turn people use to fern point, that Ken chopped, we moved and then cleaned up the trail.
At Jason's puddle we went out to lost dog, but decided not to hang hammocks, opting for the campsite at old Conley instead. We came out by lost dog pond which was down to mud only.
At Old Conley we hung hammocks, had a snack and whittled some - off the clock. There was an occasional black fly- looking for Jason, some mosquitos, but it was in the shade- not cold but cooler - pleasant. A few hikers went by.
It was a great day in the woods with Ken. The sun sapped up all my energy though.
RJ is in good shape from Conley to Hacker's
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Pinch In and Conley Cove Mid May 2011
Dates of work: May 14, 15, 18, 19
Number of workers :1 Jim de Friess
Time spent: includes commutes :10 hours
Work done: Clipping on Pinch In (14th)- shear work clipping back the growth that has started encroaching on the trail. Not to 4' wide, but making sure the path is clear and discernible.
Waterbars on lower Pinch In (15th) - cleaned out the lower ones, constructed some, cleared tree obstructions. Pinch In has no major blockages, but 1/4 down remains a substantial tree that could be cut wider if a crosscut team is available.
Clipping on Conley 18th and 19th- using shears to trim back briers, blackberries and nettles encroaching on the trail. There is a discernible path. At the lowest most switchback a 2' hardwood fell across the trail blocking it twice. I clipped in the bypass to the north of it so crossing it twice can be avoided. Further down about halfway between the last switchback and LGT another significant tree is across the trail, that has to be climbed over. The footing for this is very tricky, and I should have notched it, but did not- wish I had. It would be good to have a team for this one as well. There are some other trees across Conley but they can be much more easily negotiated.
I've gotten some gorge days in, it feels like its been forever.
Number of workers :1 Jim de Friess
Time spent: includes commutes :10 hours
Work done: Clipping on Pinch In (14th)- shear work clipping back the growth that has started encroaching on the trail. Not to 4' wide, but making sure the path is clear and discernible.
Waterbars on lower Pinch In (15th) - cleaned out the lower ones, constructed some, cleared tree obstructions. Pinch In has no major blockages, but 1/4 down remains a substantial tree that could be cut wider if a crosscut team is available.
Clipping on Conley 18th and 19th- using shears to trim back briers, blackberries and nettles encroaching on the trail. There is a discernible path. At the lowest most switchback a 2' hardwood fell across the trail blocking it twice. I clipped in the bypass to the north of it so crossing it twice can be avoided. Further down about halfway between the last switchback and LGT another significant tree is across the trail, that has to be climbed over. The footing for this is very tricky, and I should have notched it, but did not- wish I had. It would be good to have a team for this one as well. There are some other trees across Conley but they can be much more easily negotiated.
I've gotten some gorge days in, it feels like its been forever.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wolfpit trail and MST to river
https://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/Apr292011ShortoffMSTarea?authkey=Gv1sRgCNOcs-jzscjYGQ#
Photos at link above.
Date of work: 4/29/2011
Number of Workers: 1 Jim de Friess
Time spent : 6 hours including commute
Work accomplished: I was planning to camp along the lower part of MST and work the mile of trail or so as it ascends Shortoff. Leaving Wolfpit I ascended to a point where 2 orange flags were to the left of the trail at a sharp right hand bend. Following the path by the flags it remained on contour and took me to the MST on the ridge just above where the cliff ends to the NW.
I descended MST about a 100 yards and headed over to survey the terrain to the NW. MST was in fabulous shape, clipped about 4' wide for the as far as I could see up and down. After surveying I descended to another part to get a better MST look to the SW. Clear.
I hiked up the hill and found the trail condition consistent all the way to the intersection with the trail to wolfpit. At that intersection I descended and de-limbed a tree. The rest of the way down I cleared waterbars. Where water was actively running down the trail I looked for the first opportunity to divert it. There are sections that have water running down the trail 20-30'. At one particular point I noticed the waterbar was diverting it off the trail, however it was coming right back on 15' later. I cut two pine logs to build a better (longer) waterbar to prevent it from running back on- I was successful. Where the water does still run down the trail, I tried to channel it to one side. In that one area, prior, the water was running about 100' down the trail, now its about 30'.
The waterbars have held up well, the trail was mostly dry. One was filled up and I couldn't clear it- I was tired and a lot of digging would be required. Near the trail head there was another tree across the trail. Its gone.
A good day in the woods, the trail up Shortoff from Wolfpit and MST down to the river are in wonderful shape.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
South LGT and PI April 19-21
https://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/52GorgeHours?authkey=Gv1sRgCNGXyerTsPzfmwE#
This is a link to photos as part of a three day two night trip into Linville gorge.
Dates of work: 4-19 through 4-21
Number of workers: 1 - Jim de Friess
Time spent : purely a guess - 20 hours? Including commute (7 on the 19th, 8 on the 20th, and 5 on the 21st)
Work done: Checked PinchIn and LGT south of PinchIn with the purpose in mind of clearing major obstacles I had heard were making hiking more difficult.
I cleared trees with Pulaski unless they could be stepped over, or were too big. All the majors obstacles to trail navigation are gone. There were places were multiple trees blocked the trail, and hikers had been finding their way around. On most occasions I was able to clear the original trail. Two exceptions where I clipped in the bypass were one, in an area with about a 3' drop where a slide had occurred (not recently). The bypass has a dropoff too, but being narrower its a little easier to deal with. The second one was in an area where water clearly pooled in the trail area, and hikers where bypassing around to the west. I left this one because it would be easier to negotiate in an active rainstorm.
My other tool was loppers and I was trying for width and height. 60% of the obstructions just needed to be tossed off the trail. In the areas where the trail tunnels through rhodo I left it a little lower than I wanted to in areas. People who hike should be awake. With the loppers I cut the smaller green and dead to clear the trail.
PinchIn had a tree across the lower part, but most work was done on LGT. I feel its around 2 miles from the PinchIn LGT intersection to the Dellinger Chimney and I am pleased to report the trail is much better.
LGT could use some shearing in places, and there was a poison ivy vine bigger than my leg- which I didn't mess with. But I had no shears. PinchIn needs some shearing too. Both are in good shape.
On a personal note I did some cooking and had a great time.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
a minor workday on north RJ
Not knowing if govt is shutdown or not you may have to disregard.
My pics are at
Date of work 4/10/2011.
Time spent : about 4 hours including commute. This was at least partly a recreational hike.
Work done: removed trail obstructions with a pulaski
Notable, the three foot high Hemlock between split rock and Zen creek was cut twice, and no longer has to be crawled over. We cleared some other logs too, and notched the ones we left.
It was a great day with great company. Thanks Ken.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
RockJock March 11 and 12, 2011
Well I did about 4 hours of work (Pulaski only), all totaled on RJ over two days. I cut a tree in Mossy Canyon. I cleared some brush north of tee shirt point, and made a downed tree passable between split rock and Zen creek. Finally helping Ken with two leaners. RJ has even fewer obstructions, and nothing major. Big tree in Mossy canyon that can be gotten passed and a hemlock across the trail in Fern canyon I would say are the greatest obstacles.
I left work at 1pm and went straight to the gorge and parked up the hill around the corner from the south RJ entrance. It was breezy and cool, by the bottom of the hill I was down to a tee shirt. I worked my way through Mossy taking a few breaks, and stopped to cut the tree. Then I proceeded around and down to Mossy Falls taking another break there.
I made good time to tee shirt, and then left the pack at the trail above tee shirt to explore the ridge going down. My former boss had heard of climbing in Crevasse, and I wanted to see what it was like before taking him on a RJ tour. Below the falls and on the ridge at the cliff edge was an area that was fairly flat and had live pine trees. Lots of briers on the ridge down though, not a trip for shorts. I went back up the ridge to my backpack, where I caught my breath.
Then I proceeded north clearing a new fallen tree that wasn't there last week. It consisted of breaking off limbs, more could be done. I made good time to sunshine point, again leaving the trail to check out camping possibilities. I found one spot that looked good, but the sun was still high enough, I decided to push north.
I crossed Zen creek, and took a picture of it overflowing its catch basin. I went to the area north of Zen where I had camped before, and decided to camp below the trail, and go ahead and create a space. It was little stick heaven and I put up the hammock. I also scoped out a little - the way to Zen Canyon overlook, seeing lots of downed big trees I decided my attempt Saturday would be to head east close to the cliff edge. Darkness was closing so I went back to camp.
Four guys called out from RJ asking how far it was to Conley Cove. Not sure where they were from, I didn't ask.
The amount of downed wood out there is nuts. I built a small fire about 18" across and watched it closely. In any direction from the fire about 10' or less there was plenty of wood. I cooked supper ate, then watched it as I burned a few more sticks. Since I didn't let it get big I realized I was standing around the fire shivering, so I quit feeding it, let it get small and put a rock on top, and then went to bed.
I had to get up twice during the night, the first time I stumbled down the hill and caught some briers between my toes. I have gorge tattoos there now. I noticed the sun was getting close to rising, but got tired of waiting on it and got up. Good thing too, there were enough clouds, the sunrise was not crisp.
Once dressed I executed my plan to find Zen canyon overlook. A sea of scrub pines awaited, and I made progress back to the south, arriving near some cliffs. I noticed the place I was wanting to get to was on the south side of the creek, so I crossed the creek and headed west, gaining elevation and found a way to the top. Then down to the point. Somebody had been there recently, but boy was it brushy.
Leaving the point I noticed some old flagging, and followed it. Then a double, I turned and crossed the creek. Saw two more heading up the hill to the north west, and then lost them. At that point I looked for the least obstructed route NW up the hill. After picking my way through, I found RJ in about 100'.
The turn to point where I came out is easy to find. RJ is heading basically south and turns west into the canyon where it crosses the creek. After making the turn about 100' up the hill you will see a 8+" live tree to your left leaning way over (less than 45 degrees). Turn there go under the tree head south, when you see the point head diagonal (SE) to the creek just below Zen overlook point, cross creek head West looking for a route up to the ridge, and then down the ridge.
After getting back to the trail, I went back to my camp and finished packing. I checked the fire with the back of my hand and stirred it, cold out. I then proceeded north.
About 200 yards from there the trail turned down hill, and a new tree was down. Its root ball was right in the trail, and its trunk fell just to the south side of the trail. I cleared the limbs and two trees it fell on that blocked the route- they were saplings. Its passable.
Nothing else really to note until I got close to Split Rock. I was looking for footprints where L.O.S.T. starts, because I knew several were going to hike it today. I didn't see any. As I rounded the corner, I saw people in BlueJay Canyon- the group coming for L.O.S.T. I "Hollar"ed for Ken, who saw me, we met at the top of the gully.
After talking a few minutes they headed for L.O.S.T., and I headed down into BlueJay. I took a break in BlueJay and Ken got them started then came back. I ascended out of BlueJay, stopping at Hacker's. Ken stayed back at one of the overlooks to make sure they got started well, and then caught back up with me at the flat rock North of Hacker's that looks down on it. We walked out cutting two trees and taking a whack or two at some others.
Ken gave me a ride to my truck.
It was great days in the woods.
Photos:
Monday, March 7, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Rock Jock 3-3-2011
Date of work: 3-3-2011
Number of workers : 2 Jim de Friess, James Kirby
Time spent: 8 hours each (includes commutes).
Work done: Well basically we through hiked Rock Jock, and removed major obstacles and clipped here and there.
We found Rock Jock just where we left it.
The plan was to work the south end, hike in and out that way, but I got to thinking - why not through hike it. If the obstruction Muttly reported was far enough north it would be easier to come out that way anyway. So I met him James just before 8 and we ferried my truck to Old Conley. From there we drove back and entered from the south end. Several trees were down on the initial descent to the cliff but we were able to clear them.
On around through Mossy canyon we stopped as needed to throw stuff out and cut a few as needed. One tree in Mossy we cut the end off and the trunk slid down the hill blocking the trail in a worse fashion, so we had to cut it again. James' daddy called him "lightening" when he was growing up, cause he couldn't hit the same place with an axe twice.
We took a break at mossy falls, and then headed toward Tee-shirt. That log I across the trail about half way was two cut and now it can be backpacked through. James wound up with the shears and clipped a lot through there.
At tee shirt we started the climb toward the turn in the back of that canyon, and I clipped some- while James removed brush.
We went through the next two canyons clearing trees that couldn't be stepped over, and clipping, and I pointed out the turn down to sunshine point. James said that would be a good camping spot. I did not recognize the path climbers have used to ascend to the road, all I saw was brush, I probably walked right by it thinking we had to be further south.
In Moonshine canyon just north of the creek we found the tree Muttly did. Two limbs were head high and we cut them, and removed a piece of trunk that was free. One of the limbs required two cuts and James joked about carrying it out for firewood. He said the tree itself would last someone a whole year, I reminded he'd need a long winch to get it to the road. The tree can be negotiated, James made a nice foot notch in the biggest part of the trunk.
Less than 500 yards easy we got to the point Ken and I stopped on our last trip, when we worked just south of razor creek. Up the hill from razor creek we cut some- but not through on the burnt pine log where I lost trail and headed up to the road once upon a time.
Very little was done all the way to split rock and past. Where the hemlock had fallen and I cleared in December there were branches across the trail. We started clearing them and I noticed the hemlock had a hardwood tree laying on top of it. The tree in the corner on the downhill side was missing its top, as it fell right on top of the hemlock from middle to downhill side. So we cleared limbs through there again.
We took a break at Blue Jay Falls- I warned him of the upcoming climb.
At Hackers I took his picture. We saw hikers out by the edge near lost dog pond. One had on a dark blue shirt that stuck out. We continued our climb up beyond hackers and caught our breath on the flat spot that looks down on Hackers from the North.
Then through fern, where I told James that big hemlock needed to "season" more. We hiked by Jason's puddle, up and around, and I showed him the side trails as we passed and described where they went.
We made it back to the truck, and I drove us back to his truck.
It was a great day in the woods. I think James enjoyed himself, and I think he'll want to hike with other gorge rats. From seeing him swing the pulaski and clip briars I think he's another gorge rat.
Rock Jock is in good shape, there are some obstacles, but nothing major. The ruts on Kistler have mostly been filled in and it was easy driving.
Number of workers : 2 Jim de Friess, James Kirby
Time spent: 8 hours each (includes commutes).
Work done: Well basically we through hiked Rock Jock, and removed major obstacles and clipped here and there.
We found Rock Jock just where we left it.
The plan was to work the south end, hike in and out that way, but I got to thinking - why not through hike it. If the obstruction Muttly reported was far enough north it would be easier to come out that way anyway. So I met him James just before 8 and we ferried my truck to Old Conley. From there we drove back and entered from the south end. Several trees were down on the initial descent to the cliff but we were able to clear them.
On around through Mossy canyon we stopped as needed to throw stuff out and cut a few as needed. One tree in Mossy we cut the end off and the trunk slid down the hill blocking the trail in a worse fashion, so we had to cut it again. James' daddy called him "lightening" when he was growing up, cause he couldn't hit the same place with an axe twice.
We took a break at mossy falls, and then headed toward Tee-shirt. That log I across the trail about half way was two cut and now it can be backpacked through. James wound up with the shears and clipped a lot through there.
At tee shirt we started the climb toward the turn in the back of that canyon, and I clipped some- while James removed brush.
We went through the next two canyons clearing trees that couldn't be stepped over, and clipping, and I pointed out the turn down to sunshine point. James said that would be a good camping spot. I did not recognize the path climbers have used to ascend to the road, all I saw was brush, I probably walked right by it thinking we had to be further south.
In Moonshine canyon just north of the creek we found the tree Muttly did. Two limbs were head high and we cut them, and removed a piece of trunk that was free. One of the limbs required two cuts and James joked about carrying it out for firewood. He said the tree itself would last someone a whole year, I reminded he'd need a long winch to get it to the road. The tree can be negotiated, James made a nice foot notch in the biggest part of the trunk.
Less than 500 yards easy we got to the point Ken and I stopped on our last trip, when we worked just south of razor creek. Up the hill from razor creek we cut some- but not through on the burnt pine log where I lost trail and headed up to the road once upon a time.
Very little was done all the way to split rock and past. Where the hemlock had fallen and I cleared in December there were branches across the trail. We started clearing them and I noticed the hemlock had a hardwood tree laying on top of it. The tree in the corner on the downhill side was missing its top, as it fell right on top of the hemlock from middle to downhill side. So we cleared limbs through there again.
We took a break at Blue Jay Falls- I warned him of the upcoming climb.
At Hackers I took his picture. We saw hikers out by the edge near lost dog pond. One had on a dark blue shirt that stuck out. We continued our climb up beyond hackers and caught our breath on the flat spot that looks down on Hackers from the North.
Then through fern, where I told James that big hemlock needed to "season" more. We hiked by Jason's puddle, up and around, and I showed him the side trails as we passed and described where they went.
We made it back to the truck, and I drove us back to his truck.
It was a great day in the woods. I think James enjoyed himself, and I think he'll want to hike with other gorge rats. From seeing him swing the pulaski and clip briars I think he's another gorge rat.
Rock Jock is in good shape, there are some obstacles, but nothing major. The ruts on Kistler have mostly been filled in and it was easy driving.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Wolfpit Trail 2-22-2011
Date of work: 2-22-2011
number of workers: 1 - Jim de Friess
time spent: 6.5 hours -includes commute
Work done: Lopped back trees and built waterbars from where I had finished continuing up the hill until the trail intersected with MTS. At MTS, I hung flagging saying "MTS to river" at the start of that path, "MTS to summit" at the start of the proper trail up, and "trail to wolfpit parking" back along the trail I had been working on. The gully (old jeep road) or whatever it is up shortoff has also been getting traffic. All the trails looked like they had been getting regular use. On a dead tree at the intersection of the trails someone had wrapped orange duct tape around a dead tree. I put notes and arrows on it indicating what trail goes what way. Its hard to believe anyone gets confused there - but I still hear an occasional story of someone heading to the river when they meant to go to the parking lot.
I don't believe MTS has been worked in that area since what little I did starting down the ridge last Fall. When Spring springs- the trail to the river will be briery and narrow. Up to the top probably gets enough day hike traffic.
I then sheared back down to where I had started.
The waterbars from previous trips seem to be working and I cleaned them out with my foot as I walked. Where I had sheared previously it seems the hikers are walking on the grass beside the two foot bare area that the trail used to be, so the trail width is widening to about what it needs to be. There were a couple trees across the trail but they definitely encouraged hikers to walk and cross them at a better area than they might otherwise- so I left them.
There is a spring active, and I guess it crosses the trail a couple times actually on its way down. In two sections the spring runs down the trail about 20' before being diverted off, not the best scenario, but its a project for later.
Near the bottom there is some additional work I'd like to do in terms of rebuilding a dip or two, that are no longer effective. Just one or two of those would be a trip all by themselves.
I did take pictures, but it might be a while (like tomorrow) before I get them posted. It was a great day in the woods.
number of workers: 1 - Jim de Friess
time spent: 6.5 hours -includes commute
Work done: Lopped back trees and built waterbars from where I had finished continuing up the hill until the trail intersected with MTS. At MTS, I hung flagging saying "MTS to river" at the start of that path, "MTS to summit" at the start of the proper trail up, and "trail to wolfpit parking" back along the trail I had been working on. The gully (old jeep road) or whatever it is up shortoff has also been getting traffic. All the trails looked like they had been getting regular use. On a dead tree at the intersection of the trails someone had wrapped orange duct tape around a dead tree. I put notes and arrows on it indicating what trail goes what way. Its hard to believe anyone gets confused there - but I still hear an occasional story of someone heading to the river when they meant to go to the parking lot.
I don't believe MTS has been worked in that area since what little I did starting down the ridge last Fall. When Spring springs- the trail to the river will be briery and narrow. Up to the top probably gets enough day hike traffic.
I then sheared back down to where I had started.
The waterbars from previous trips seem to be working and I cleaned them out with my foot as I walked. Where I had sheared previously it seems the hikers are walking on the grass beside the two foot bare area that the trail used to be, so the trail width is widening to about what it needs to be. There were a couple trees across the trail but they definitely encouraged hikers to walk and cross them at a better area than they might otherwise- so I left them.
There is a spring active, and I guess it crosses the trail a couple times actually on its way down. In two sections the spring runs down the trail about 20' before being diverted off, not the best scenario, but its a project for later.
Near the bottom there is some additional work I'd like to do in terms of rebuilding a dip or two, that are no longer effective. Just one or two of those would be a trip all by themselves.
I did take pictures, but it might be a while (like tomorrow) before I get them posted. It was a great day in the woods.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Time spent :9 hours -including commute
Workers: 1, Ken Crump
Work: Clean logs and fallen brush from Rockjock to Razor Creek area.
Jim and I had a good day out there today. Like he said, I lost count, but I think we removed
4 to 6 small trees before we made it to Bluejay. There was some trimming of limbs encroaching from
the sides too and fallen limb removal.
At Bluejay we worked at getting the butt end of the large fallen Hemlock off the trail. Up until
now it was necessary to practically crawl over it. Now only the lower portion is left, and it creates
a step. As it decays we'll be able to clean it all out.
From there, there was one tree at Split Rock we've been going under for a while. It is no more.
Between there and Razor Creek there were several more, along with the ones Jim mentioned
in the creek drainage and just beyond it. On the way out we took out one "widow maker" that
was leaning over the trail, and did some more 'sprucing up'.
The weather was just right, and the ground was mostly frozen. It was a great day to be on the
trail, and it was nice to get back to work out there. Thanks for a good time, Jim!
Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ojc/sets/72157625765804763/
Ken
Workers: 1, Ken Crump
Work: Clean logs and fallen brush from Rockjock to Razor Creek area.
Jim and I had a good day out there today. Like he said, I lost count, but I think we removed
4 to 6 small trees before we made it to Bluejay. There was some trimming of limbs encroaching from
the sides too and fallen limb removal.
At Bluejay we worked at getting the butt end of the large fallen Hemlock off the trail. Up until
now it was necessary to practically crawl over it. Now only the lower portion is left, and it creates
a step. As it decays we'll be able to clean it all out.
From there, there was one tree at Split Rock we've been going under for a while. It is no more.
Between there and Razor Creek there were several more, along with the ones Jim mentioned
in the creek drainage and just beyond it. On the way out we took out one "widow maker" that
was leaning over the trail, and did some more 'sprucing up'.
The weather was just right, and the ground was mostly frozen. It was a great day to be on the
trail, and it was nice to get back to work out there. Thanks for a good time, Jim!
Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ojc/sets/72157625765804763/
Ken
Northern RJ 1-23-2011
Time spent :8 hours -includes commute
Number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)
work done:
I met Ken at the old Conley entrance and we hiked south on RJ using our Pulaskis to clear trees off the trail. We didn't clear everything, but we got some of the worse ones. We worked on a few trees prior to Blue Jay canyon, but spent a lot of time in Blue Jay on the trunk of the big tree, I had previously cleared. It was good to have two to move some of the cuts.
We continued south, and cleared as we went, Ken was counting but lost track I think. There was a tree at split rock, around the corner there were more. One big hemlock we left, its hard to cross but its 16" in diameter or so and would require two cuts, it can be gotten around. It seemed there was always another tree. We made getting to Zen creek a goal and cleared brush out of the trail there. We went further south checking the bypass around the huge tree that fell in the trail, and tweaked it some. We checked conditions at the razor point turn and went on to razor creek. At razor creek there was an 8" hemlock 3' high across the trail requiring two cuts so we did that, another trunk was in the low spot mostly blocking the trail and just south was a leaner that was hard to go around. We got it, then turned around, and headed back toward the trucks.
Rock Jock is much easier to hike, a few bigger trees remain.
We took our time and did a few tweaks coming out. It was a good day in the woods with good company.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Pinch In check, 1-8-2011
Date of work: 1/8/2011
Time spent: 7 hours includes commute
Number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)
Work accomplished: This was a pulaski only trip, cut the smaller trees across the trail out of the way on the way down. Make and clean waterbars, pick up trash on the way out.
On the way out I had to put on chains once I got to the dirt part of 105. I barely made it up to the first curve to the left. In that curve I put on chains. The federal law enforcement officer passed me as well as a black 4wd truck. With chains I had no trouble getting to Pinch In Trail head and parking. The snow got deeper as I went up being about 3-4 inches deep at the parking lot.
I started down the trail and cut or moved a few knee high trees on the way down. Cold wood chops well. Below Falcon rock I started looking to implement water features, and created a few easy ones. At the turn off the ridge into the woods great care was taken and I mostly paralleled the trail. At the bottom I made a mental note of the turn that cuts over to LGT south, and then went to the trail head at the bottom. Beyond that there was debris on LGT so i cleared some of that and went to the creek which was running well.
I think I slipped twice on the way down.
On the way up I looked for trash, I had fished a dog food can out of the woods leaving it on the trail going down, and was looking for the bottled waters someone had discarded off to the south side of the trail. I found two empties but not the fulls, maybe the snow had it covered. I tried not to take long breaks coming up, maybe a couple breaths and look for the next step. I think I put in a waterbar or two on the way up as well.
An icy wind blew across the ridge, I asked it to come back in August. The trail seems to be getting shorter for me. I made it to the truck and headed out, the road had improved and I was able to take the chains off just below pinnacle.
I'm glad I went and except for cold feet on the way home it was a good day. The slushy snow melted through my shoe, and then caked on ice on the way out. They finally thawed out about 1/3 of the way home. Need dry shoes and socks for next snow hike- mental note.
Pictures below.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Lower Pinch In 1/3/2011
http://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/PinchInWorkTrip132011#
Photos above
Date of work: 1/3/2011
time spent:9 hours, includes commute
number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)
Work accomplished: I descended Pinch In trail, having always wanted to walk further down the ridge to the trees. This is beyond where the trail turns and descends into the woods. Winter was the time to do it, no snakes to worry about, and better visibility without leaves. Its about 200 yards from where the trail turns off the ridge down the ridge to the trees. There is actually two low spots with some up hill following the ridge. The brush is about 8' tall and is mostly devil's walking stick.
I finally arrived at the ridge top to find some survey flags laying on the ground, and some stakes with flagging on them- one of those study plots. Its probably 150' above the river and it is steep down all the way around, except back up the ridge. I think the growth to the south might be minimal enough to find an easier path off of it, I continued heading east and it got really steep. I made it down with no problems, there were lots of deer tracks but they mostly side-hilled. There were oaks on top, with acorns all over the ground.
At the bottom, finding LGT was easy. I came out just north of where the river comes back together after splitting in high water. I threw some brush off of LGT and hiked north. Seeing some flagging to the west I investigated, and found another study plot. Since the brush was minimal further west I investigated by heading over the next rise. I found a fire circle on the south east of a cleared circle, maybe 75-100' in diameter. Off to the northwest there appeared to be what looked like a trail. No brush no debris and about 8' wide fairly straight. I ascended this path and finally got to some trees down partially blocking it. Threw them out of the way and it got narrower still. A fresh de-branched pine limb was beside it further up, and about 50' further I popped out on Pinch In. I'm guessing I was about 100-150 yards from the bottom of it, and did not walk to the end to check.
Rather I started ascending. Came to a hemlock across the trail, and de-branched a path around it and back to the trail. There were a few other trees, I made it passable, and not completely clear, certainly back-packable. I found another study plot- well I knew it was there -south of Pinch in and looked for flagging that might lead back to the ridge top, but didn't see anything. At that point I got to the steep section.
I've been re-thinking trees across the trail, I think if angled well they can make waterbars and trap sediment keeping the trail from washing away. I certainly am going to try and keep the step over to less than a foot. A de-branched step over trunk is a good thing. So using tree trunks and some digging I water barred all the way up the steep section- where convenient. Up on the ridge I need about three burned trunks brought down and place across the trail in a couple places in the steep part, there were no trees to use there. I think what I've done has held up well on that steep part.
I worked up the ridge, one brief section had crept off the ridge, and draining it was an issue, so at that point I went up the ridge, but did not block the existing path.
At another point there is a very brief and steep section with stumps. The trail and the water go straight downhill, but the ridge is wide at that point, so I angled up and back to see what a switchback might look like there. It would be easier to channel water off the trail, with it for sure. Again nothing but considering an option. The existing trail almost needs trunks about every two feet
The rest of the way up I think the trail is in marvelous shape, I do want to place some trunks across it at angles to effectively make waterbars. Even though the trail is on the high ground, it has a slight channel maybe an inch or two deep allowing water to run down the trail. I dug out waterbars in a couple places and made some, but fatigue was setting in.
I sat on a stump taking a break and was passed by a hiker heading down. A younger fellow wearing shorts, he came out to Pinch In for exercise evidently, as he said he was going down and back, it was all he had time for. I continued up taking rest breaks frequently. About 200 yards from the top the hiker passed me going up. He said he turned around where the trail left the ridge. That would be about a mile and a half walk all totaled, quite an exercise. When I reached the parking lot he was cooling down, I guess. I drank the half quart of water I left in my truck, and cooled down some myself, but the truck seat was cold.
It was a wonderful day in the woods, too bad I couldn't have gotten more done over my Christmas break.
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