Next Project

A backpacker has informed us of several blowdowns between Mile 500 and Horse Camp. Look for info here soon for a possible work project to clear the trail.
On another note, The Herd of 2010 thruhikers is now starting out from San Diego County, and traffic in Section E peaks the last week of May through the first week of June. Water situation this year is pretty good, partly because our area got another winter storm last week.

April 18 Progress

We had an awesome volunteer army of 14 out this weekend to work trail in the area of Upper Shake CG in Section E. Here's a map of what we worked.
We also received word that more trees are across the trail at Horse Camp. Look for an announcement here when we get that project scheduled.

April 18 Work Day in Sec E

Volunteers will be out brushing and treading on April 18 in the area of Upper Shake CG. If you want to come out and help get the trail in shape for spring, contact me (hikevv@gmail.com) and be ready to meet HERE, at the intersection of Pine Canyon Rd and FR 7N23 at 07:30. We'll finish 2:30 at the latest.
If you have a higher-clearance vehicle, please bring it. If you don't have one, we'll try to recombine vehicles as needed at the meetup location. Volunteers should bring leather work gloves, a lunch, water, and sun protection. Long pants and shirtsleeves are a must. Pacific Crest Trail Association will provide tools.
We already have a small crew of about 6 volunteers lined up, so I know this will be a successful day.

Leona Divide 50 is April 17

The Leona Divide 50 mile foot race will be held on the PCT on April 17. Here's a map of their course in Section E.

Latest Section E News

• Users can assist the thruhikers by offering updates to the online Water Report.
• The spur trail leading up from Upper Shake CG is clogged with brush according to reports, Dave and I are looking at dates to go work it back. Will post that info here when we have it.
• If anyone hikes up Liebre Mtn in the near future I'd appreciate hearing precise info on blowdowns in that area. Usually every spring we need to go in and cut them out.
• I updated the calendar with John's latest.
  

January 24 Quick Recon

I stopped to inspect the culverts that Dave Fleischman and crew installed in 2007 behind the sag pond. They were fine but I saw some blowdowns, which makes me wonder how hard these recent storms might have been on the trees up higher. For now, if anyone heads out to hike in my stretch of the PCT, I'd appreciate hearing whatever specifics you can offer about blowdowns or washouts.

Scout Troop 17 in Pine Canyon

Today was a great day to be out working on the PCT! After Pete and the PCTA Trail Gorillas cleared trail this week, Palmdale Scout Troop 17 was out today to clear the cuttings off the trail.
This general area remains the most-worked part of Section E, due to the 2004 Pine Fire and heavy precipitation of the following winter. Now the chaparal is growing back with a vengeance! The PCT out here is likely to see increased traffic with Sec D closed now, but that's good, and with more trail users, the maintenance work is enjoyed by more people.

New Calendar

Pete and the TG's continue brushing the Pine Canyon area. We changed the tossing day to 11/21, with a troop of Scouts working a service project. If anyone wants to join us, we'll be working behind the sag pond. Easy walk in, light work for all who decide to join us. Contact me for more info.

Section E is Still Open

Wanted to let everyone know that although all or nearly all of Section D will be under closure until 9/30/10, Sec E is open for trail users. Since the Liebre / Sawmill area gets its share of hunters, I advise hikers using the PCT in that area to wear bright clothing if they hike out there. The trail is in good shape, and recent reports are that no blowdowns are across the trail.
Also, PCTA Trail Gorillas will be out periodically in the next 3 weeks to cut brush in the stretch by Pine Canyon Road, and local scouts will be clearing those cuttings on November 14.

Trail Gorillas At Horse Camp

Pete, Dave, Jerry and Ed were out this month for the latest round of tree-clearing at Horse Camp. This time they even put some of the logs to good use as checkdams just below the camp. Click on the photo for a closer look at before and after.

Report of Blowdowns on Liebre Mtn

Section hiker John Crawford hiked the Lake Hughes Road to Pine Canyon Road segment last weekend and reports blowdowns across the trail on the north slope of Liebre Mtn. Ref attached graphic, 001 is the highest one up the mountain (34-43.630 x 118-39.671) then many from waypoint 002 continuing north of Horse Camp (HC). Waypoint 010 is a blowdown just above the hilltop turnaround. All blowdowns do not exceed about 20" dia.
If anyone heads up to clear these, there are additional blowdowns that need clearing between Horse Camp and the spring. Follow the pink tapes that mark the way...

January 10 in Dowd Canyon

January 10 marks the last of the brushing - for now - in the Spunky-Dowd segment. Congrats to Pete Fish and the Trail Gorillas, and to the adopters, the High Desert Runners! Work will continue, but this heavy brushing started 26 months ago, and is, for now, complete.

November 23: San Francisquito Cyn to Dowd Cyn Inventory

I inventoried the 2 miles or so from San Francisquito Canyon to the end of the HDR segment ('Marv's Chute'). Found that the trail is fine, and added a few water bars just in time for the first storm. The brush is probably ready for a cut, mainly just in San Fran Cyn as it climbs the hill, and the first 100yds or so south of Marv's Chute. Click on the pic to enlarge.

Nov 15 Back In Dowd Canyon

Pete and the Trail Gorillas, some High Desert Runners, and an Outward Bound crew worked Dowd Canyon hard last week. The gap is closing on the HDR's adopted Spunky-Dowd segment!
I was out with Steve Henrich and a crew of volunteers on Saturday for followup work. A reporter from the Antelope Valley Press accompanied to take photos and do interviews.

Bear in Camp

Here's a great series of photos from the PCTA Trail Gorillas' May project up by Golden Oak Spring, in Section F in the South Sierras.