Question: is there a prescribed burn scheduled for the Hobbs Road/Middle Ridge Trail
area? Yesterday I saw what looked like preparations for one.
Thanks,
///Charlie
Here's what today's burn looked like from Steer Ridge near the JDT intersection:
The high point of Pine Ridge is on the horizon to the left; I think the ridge with Manzanita Point is the one in front of the smoke.
Wider angle view from same place on Steer Ridge; near ridge is Spike Jones, then Wasno Ridge (Jackson Field is the grassy area on right horizon). If one squints the high point of the Cullen Trail can just be seen in the center of the photo.
In the radio chatter today I heard the DPR talking about "meet back at drop point 2".
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not represent any policy of the CA Dept. of Parks & Rec.
I'm not sure when this tree went down; it's not too far south of the other tree down on Timm reported by Skyline35:
This tree isn't the impediment the other tree was; a smaller rider with skills could probably get under it without dismounting---I needed to walk it though.
I won't be lobbying for its quick removal; horses can get around by going off trail to the uphill side---this tree might be a good excuse for a minor trail re-route.
In other news, it looks like Skyline35 will be the winner of the inaugural "Pliny's Tree Down" contest. Ratpick is a close second. Prizes to be awarded at this Saturday's TWD on the Jim Donnelly Trail.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not represent any policy of the CA Dept. of Parks & Rec.
DPR's Eric G and I had a go at clearing the Lick Fire dead-fall from the Jackass Trail:
This was the first major tree down coming in from the north (visible from outer space in Google Earth!); it was a ponderosa pine about 3' in diameter.
We cleared the trail only about halfway down; the 2 vehicle shuttle didn't materialize so our hoped-for down the trail and out plan will have to wait for the next time. The trail has taken on a new character since the fire; the route now follows the path of least resistance as it winds it way through openings in the dead-fall making for a more circuitous route; an improvement IMHO!
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not represent any policy of the CA Dept. of Parks & Rec.
Awesome work, guys! It is amazing how more and more trees continued to fall on Jackass, even years after the fire. It seemed like the rate of deadfall picked up as burned trees finally gave up the ghost.
On my way back from checking out the MRT "situation" I figured I should have a look at this tree down on Creekside Trail before committing to get the DPR's Eric G in there with a chainsaw.
I'm glad I did because this tree doesn't need removal at all; there's enough room (3') between the trunk and the stump to route the trail. The DPR Trails Handbook suggests that if possible in the case of large fallen trees the trail should be relocated rather than the tree being removed. (A fallen tree being an act of nature)
Still could use a little work with a McLeod:
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not represent any policy of the CA Dept. of Parks & Rec.
The two nearest trees have been cleared for a while:
^ May 7, 2011
…and on Saturday, locoyokel, Eric S., and I cleared the remaining two trees in
the background (dead center in the photo). Greg did most of the sawing; once
cut, it was a simple matter to roll it off the side of the trail:
Voilà!
Kelly Cabin Canyon Trail is now clear end-to-end and in the best shape since Fall 2010.
You guys riding through on Monday, enjoy!
The two nearest trees have been cleared for a while:
^ May 7, 2011
…and on Saturday, locoyokel, Eric S., and I cleared the remaining two trees in
the background (dead center in the photo). Greg did most of the sawing; once
cut, it was a simple matter to roll it off the side of the trail:
Voilà!
Kelly Cabin Canyon Trail is now clear end-to-end and in the best shape since Fall 2010.
You guys riding through on Monday, enjoy!
///Charlie
Is that large oak still blocking Cross Canyon Tr between KCCT and Willow Ridge Rd? (Cross Canyon "East")
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not represent any policy of the CA Dept. of Parks & Rec.
Except for that one tree that has an easy ride-a-round (the ride-a-round is still on the roadbed, tiny uphill past the roots of the downed tree), no trees blocking Cross Canyon east above KCC. That's the way Charlie & I went, don't know if that huge oak tree is still blocking Cross Canyon near George Milias (I assume it must be unless someone hauled in a chainsaw).
...by the CMBP; this tree has been on the "list" for several months now:
Anthony, Paul (Sorcerer), Jim (Zener), Philip, Roy (plymmer) take turns sawing the oak that was blocking the east portion of Coe's Cross Canyon Trail (between Milias and Kelly Cabin Canyon trails)
This started out as an informal Coe Mountain Bike Patrol "Start the New Year at Coe" ride lead by Sorcerer; we were originally only going to inspect and make plans for removing this tree at a later date---but with 7 eager lads and one strong lady the tree was quickly dispatched.
Being a Patrol member isn't all glory; here Philip describes to Sorcerer his technique for removing soiled toilet paper fouling a campsite (yes really!). Some Coe visitors are disgusting; they crapped 10 paces from the campsite. (Too far to walk to the restroom???) Other members had just decommissioned a fire ring while at our stop at Kelly Lake. (a no campfires ever zone)
Lunch on the KCCT; Eric, Roy, Jim, Philip, Paul and Chris enjoy the gorgeous (and unseasonable!) weather. A few yards behind where I was standing as I took this picture there was still ice in the creek.
A token bikes being ridden picture; my photos don't show it but most of the time was spent "in the saddle"---as the ride proceeded we broke into several groups and rejoined at common landmarks. Here Anthony, Eric and Jim approach the intersection of Wagon and Wasno roads.
There should be some video of the tree removal and etc; hopefully it will get posted here later.
Last edited by pliebenberg; 01-08-2012 at 09:54 AM.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not represent any policy of the CA Dept. of Parks & Rec.
Saturday was great. Pliebenberg split off after the East Cross Canyon tree removal and went back another way. The rest of us decided to return via Cross Canyon West where there was another large, but not as large oak across the trail, which we removed. Pictures later I expect. Yes there is a low hanging pine towards the bottom still, but we didn't stop to cut that one down (you hardly even notice it on a bike if you're average sized). Saturday was a great day. All of us seemed to have commitments that evening, so somehow we managed to get back to HH by 4pm. That's amazing.
Sunday Super-Stoker and some girl friends wanted to ride in Coe so I hitched a ride and started out with them, and after Anza I split off up the Grapevine to head directly to the Domino Pond tree site to begin working on the reroute. Later the girls would come and scoop me up on the way back.
First I stopped on the Grapevine at the place where the trail goes under a large fallen oak tree. A couple of years ago this tree fell across the trail and our solution was a short reroute which involved actually going under one of the main tree trunk limbs. At the time the trunk section was about 14 feet above the reroute. That tree is settling and rotting, and has subsided nearly four feet I reckon. It's to be expected, and in a couple of years something will have to happen. Meantime on our return descending the Grapevine on Saturday I again noticed that one of the branches was dangerously encroaching the trail due to the settling of the slowly rotting tree. Hence I made a quick stop to saw off this piece.
Before:
After:
Yes I tied on some pink ribbon garbage on it. In all it wasn't really a huge hazard, but I really could see a cyclist clipping a left wing on that piece I took out.
The tree across Domino Pond Trail:
That tree is a magnificent specimen. It is too big to remove. It is also something to see. The DPR guidelines advise a reroute. Going below the original trail grade is not sustainable due to the fact that it is a riparian drainage area prone to being a swamp etc. Therefore the reroute must go above the wreckage. Previous recon identified the route, dictated by best
practice and topography. This is a straight forward job.
My girl friends:
My quiver:
Here is a shot of most of the reroute area at the conclusion of the 3 solid hours I put in actually working on the reroute. It's hard to see in this photo (I know) but there are blue flags marking the contouring alignment. The job is not finished.
Tree section before:
Tree section after:
The reroute is usable as is, and I fully expect it to be readily adopted. The west end was not linked properly to the trail yet. The main thing left to do is to properly bench and shape the tread. The west end, towards Cattle Duster, will go under an oak tree. The blue flagging is very obvious and advertises the new route.
Last edited by Sorcerer; 01-08-2012 at 11:58 PM.
Reason: grammar
Nice work on Cross Canyon, Sorcerer and crew. I saw the tree you removed just after I passed you guys on my way down into the canyon. I did happen to notice the branch hanging over the trail near the bottom and thought to myself, "This might be a problem on a horse."
I missed the turnoff for Kelly Cabin Canyon and ended up climbing out on Cross Canyon East. I knew something was amiss when the trail continued to ascend the hillside. It turned out to be a good thing considering the mechanical I had.
Hope to see you next weekend at trail work. I just checked the forecast and rain isn't predicted until the following Wednesday. Hopefully there will be lots of it.
The "Earth Shattering Trail Building" Sunday installment was much more mellow today on the Domino Pond Trail than it was on yesterday's JDT "clodfest"; here's a time lapse of the new route around the tree being benched:
Sorcerer and Marty (a MTBR lurker from so long ago I couldn't find his handle in the directory) are in green; I changed from yellow to brown as the day heated up. Incredible weather for mid-January!
Maybe Marty can post with his MTBR stage name??? (Working with several cracked ribs a-healing he did a great job!)
The dirt on this side of the park was so nice and soft all I needed was a Rogue Hoe to dig the section I was benching.
Marty tries the new trail from its west end.
Marty has passed the stream crossing as Sorcerer changes out of his work boots into his riding shoes.
Sorcerer westbound...
...and eastbound.
The photo does not do justice to the 30% grade Sorcerer is pulling a tool-laden BOB up...
...and he can manage a smile as he reaches the top of Domino! (His bike does have special "Coe" gearing FWIW!)
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not represent any policy of the CA Dept. of Parks & Rec.
The "Earth Shattering Trail Building" Sunday installment was much more mellow today on the Domino Pond Trail than it was on yesterday's JDT "clodfest"....
The dirt on this side of the park was so nice and soft all I needed was a Rogue Hoe to dig the section I was benching....
Great work out there, guys! Though I must say, all the talk of the dirt being nice and soft is just plain mean...
Also the crown on the tree landed on Grapevine road - so you really want to take Anza and not mess with trying to get down through the crown of the tree, and likewise you don't want to come up Grapevine road from Coit until someone has cleared the tree!
Lots of poison oak encroaching on Grapevine, especially in the 100 foot section from the downed tree to the little pond.
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Originally Posted by benja55
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