Time spent 10 hours- includes commute
number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess
Work accomplished: Sling bladed the low stuff uphill along Conley Cove from the RJ intersection down toward the river. Was passed by multiple hikers heading to the river including a family of four with two small children. After they passed me I cleared a tree across the trail, and heard them talking. It wasn't long until I got to the big down oak, the bank below had washed away and it was tougher to cross. Same tree the baby copperhead was on last year. I decided I had to clear it to the extent I could, and four cuts later with some shoving I got most of it off the trail. Its still an awkward step over but much better. Did about another 150 yards then ate late lunch on a log. Decided I was too tired to try and make it the rest of the way to the river. Just when the sling blade would have been most useful. Oh well another day.
Used shears on the way out, the sling blade did the low stuff but the entire trail had some higher stuff to clip. So clipped it on the way out. Cleared one block switchback with the pulaski and cut in a bypass around another blocked switchback. A 4' hemlock had the top fall out of it across a switchback- right at the 4'er plumbing. Guess they were upset it got discovered, so I cut a path around the trunk. Clipped all the way out as darkness began to fall.
Good day in the gorge, and the middle part of Conley Cove is in good shape. Sure was wanting to wail on some stinging nettle - oh well next time. No rain just fog, would have liked a little rain.
