New Signposts on Pelona Ridge

Dec 30: Dave and I scouted the burn area atop Pelona Ridge and placed the new fireproof replacement signposts. We found that the September 2011 Mint Fire burned across about a mile of the PCT.

Next Project: December 30 in the Sierra Pelonas

Trail users have reported that several signs went missing or burned on the south face of Pelona Ridge, site of a brush fire this year. Dave Fleischman and I will be placing attractive new signposts (on fireproof aluminum poles) in this area above Mint Canyon Rd on Dec 30. We could use two more helpers to assist in carrying the posts and tools to the placement sites. Contact me (hikevv "at" gmail dot com) to sign up, and we'll rideshare or meet at the trailhead.

Next PCTA Project: October 29

On October 29, we'll be out for a day of brush clearing and tread repair in Spunky Canyon. Students of the Wildland Fire Academy at Antelope Valley College will join us, but we could still use your help! Contact me to sign up.

Nik Petrik's Eagle Scout Project

Eagle Scout Candidate Nik Petrik, from BSA Troop 39 in Lancaster, recently performed his Eagle service project on the PCT in Section E.
The spot under the trees in Lake Hughes Canyon has for years been a popular thruhiker rest spot, owing to its rare shade and water cache. But it had gotten rather trashy lately, partly because of the many busted-up water jugs that local volunteers have refilled for years (photo at left). Nik volunteered to lead the project to clear the area of debris and trash, but he also built this outstanding picnic table and water cabinet, matched them with an unobtrusive shade of green paint, and with help from family and members of Troop 39, brought them out and placed them under the trees.
According to the trail register at Green Valley, one of the, if not the first, thruhiker to make use of the table, was Scott Williamson on his southbound attempt to break the PCT thruhike speed record.
Big thanks to Nik, his family, friends, and Troop 39 for doing such a great job at making this stopping point more welcoming and usable for the trail users.

FYI

Due to the fire danger in our region, we are under USFS order to refrain from using power equipment in our maintenance projects in the ANF. If we get some significant moisure it could change, but since Section E is largely brush abatement work, we're not planning any projects for September. We may try for October 1, but not holding our breath.

Aug 25-26 Brushing Party on Liebre Mtn

Pete and Jerry cut, and Wildland Fire Academy students from Antelope Valley College came out to clear and tread, during some of the hottest days of this summer.



Congrats to them, and they cleared about a third of a mile of trail in just two days. This segment of PCT requires frequent brushing, so the outstanding help that the students provide is greatly valued.
Next time out there it's bound to be cooler....

Work Project in Section D

This is what the PCT looks like north of Mill Creek Summit (just shy of Big Buck Camp). Some blowdowns still block the trail, but the Forest Service is gradually working the trail northbound. We found this segment to be real work to tread out, as it was mostly just clearing the deep slump on top of the existing tread.

May 21: Section E is Ready for the Season!

Today was the final day of work in my area before the thruhikers arrive. Since last June the PCT here has been the target of much brushing, tossing, sawing, trail rebuilding and treading. So with Pete Fish on Sawmill Mtn cutting the last of the blowdowns, and this excellent crew of volunteers working to cut back brush in San Francisquito Canyon, today marks the completion of Section E readiness for the approaching herd of thruhikers. To celebrate the work of all Sec. E volunteers over the past 11 months, the crew posed for this makeshift ribbon-cutting photograph. It was a great day with a fun crew and perfect weather, and I also snapped the attached photo of local "Trail Angels" Joe and Terri Anderson of Green Valley next to the register box. After our day of hard work, we joined Joe and Terri and several thru's for grilled chicken and Taco salad at the Andersons; a good time was had by all.
Congratulations and thanks to all who helped maintain Section E for 2011.

Sawmill - Liebre Inventory

On May 8, Section Chief Dave Fleischman and I walked from Bear CG to Burnt Peak Junction and cleared the trail of remaining debris. There was only one tree that we could not cut out, push away, or otherwise remove, and that one is easy for hikers to get around. And Pete Fish plans to get out on May 21 with a chain saw to clear that one.
We also apparently just missed Pat Aubuchon's Trail Boss crew, but we did find evidence of their work near Burnt Peak Junction. Great work, Pat, and please thank the scouts for us.
But the trail is now 100% snow-free, very green, and ready for 'The Herd' of thruhikers to arrive soon!

Next Work Project in Section E: May 21

PCTA volunteers will be out for a day of brush removal and treading in San Francisquito Canyon on May 21. We'll meet at the Green Valley Fire Station and after shuttling a short distance up the road to the PCT crossing, we'll walk southbound on the trail, just up the hill, to the work area. To sign up for this project, send me a note at hikevv@gmail.com.

April 16-19 Work Project

About 20 volunteers came out for this four day project in Section E this weekend. A larger work crew worked the weekend to complete the brushing and treading to Horse Camp, on Monday a smaller crew built a support wall around a wide rock obstacle above Upper Shake Campground, and Tuesday saw them brushing behind the sag pond in Pine Canyon. Dick and Blair provided packer support for the saws and heavier equipment, and cleared the trail of several blowdowns. We also re-marked the route down to the spring from Horse Camp, as several large blowdowns obliterated the previously used route. The owners of Rancho Corona del Valle just down the road were our generous overnight hosts, and Doris was our cook. Congrats and BIG THANKS to all.

Calendar Update

John Hachey updated the Region 1 projects calendar and posted it here.

Next Work Project April 16-19

We're currently planning a 4-day brushing project in Section E, for April 16-19. Look for details here soon, but we're currently thinking of brushing the Bear CG area. We'd probably camp at Bear CG. Contact me if interested in participating; we'll try to get a bigger bunch out there on the weekend days, probably have just a few on the weekdays.
Other than that, the word right now is that no trees currently block the trail, and it's in good shape for 2011. That being said, I'm sure that the Trail Gorillas will be working blowdowns at Horse Camp, and we know we have some buckthorn in that area as well that we didn't finish cutting back last year.

Liebre North Slope

The trail on the north slope of Liebre Mountain was cleared of blowdowns over the weekend by local volunteers Dick and Blair, and they also took this photo. Big thanks! Local hikers who wish to use the trail soon should expect to see snow on the trail, but for now the trail is cleared.