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.

July 24 in the Station Fire Burn Area

Not in my area, but I worked with this awesome crew on the PCT this weekend installing timbers to mitigate runoff in the big burn area. It was hot, dirty work but the crew held up well. Pictured here are PCTA, Sierra Club, San Gabriel Trailbuilders, High Desert Runners, and Student Conservation Association members, along with Forest Service workers. Some of these same SCA kids worked with us in May in Section E.

June 19: Buckthorn Madness

Section E gets great volunteers! We had a good day this weekend with a work party 18 strong. Just take a look at this buckthorn crowding the trail on the lower slope of Liebre Mtn. It's as bad as it looks, pokey, scratchy, and plain awful. After the Pine Fire of 2004, and the massive rains of spring '05, the awful plants return faster, but I guess in so doing they hold everything in place and reduce erosion until the plant population matures with more oak and other stuff.
But with 4 sawyers and 14 for removal, we managed to make nearly a half mile of progress.
This year is the second time we've brushed this stretch hard since 2005.
I also found a 2005 photo from after the fire & flood, taken from my tripod at almost the exact same spot as one I took yesterday. Take a look, then vs now, and see how this area has changed over the last five years due to nature and volunteer labor:

Latest Announcement

• I posted John Hachey's latest Region 1 newsletter here.
• We have an awesome team of volunteers (over a dozen, I think) for the work project this Saturday! I'll see some of you out there.
  

Next Project: June 19 Brushing on Liebre Mtn

We'll clear heavy brush on the north slope of Liebre Mtn, where the trail descends to Pine Canyon Road. We'll start work roughly a mile above the road and work up toward Horse Camp. As we’re working, we may meet thruhikers on the trail as they hike northbound on the PCT. PCTA will supply all equipment and tools. Volunteers should bring a sack lunch, minimum 2 qts water, leather work gloves, robust footwear, sun protection, and wear long-sleeve clothing.
Volunteers should meet at the pullout at 0745am on June 19. The pullout is on the south side of the road, right at a hilltop on Pine Canyon Road. By placing your home address in the 'A' field, Google can determine the shortest driving time & distance for you. If interested in volunteering, please respond to me directly at hikevv@gmail.com.

May 22-23 Work Project

What a great weekend! Volunteers from the PCTA, Troop 146 of Quartz Hill, the Antelope Valley Group of the Sierra Club, and several others joined two Student Conservation Association crews and USFS reps to work in mile 498 above the Atmore Meadows Road crossing. We worked two days, and though it was a cold overnight campout, somehow we avoided getting snowed on. But the Tehachapi range to the north didn't avoid snowfall, as seen in the photo.
BIG THANKS to all the outstanding volunteers we had for this work project, including James the cook, who made our tasty and very filling meals.