Dream Team of Otis, Susie and team……….
– UPPER SISQUOC –
The LPFA just wrapped up a 10-day Working Vacation along the Upper Sisquoc in the San Rafael Wilderness. We had 16 volunteers over that time working the trail and helping supply the project with stock support. Working Vacations are designed to entice volunteers to spend time working the trails in exchange for cooked meals and cold beverages at the end of each hard days work. Led by VWR super hero Mike Smith, we were able to log out over 100 downed trees from the Judell and Sisquoc Trails. By the end of the 10-days, the entire Judell Trail and from Mansfield to Lower Bear was passable to stock. It was a great project and huge accomplishment. Special thanks to the Forest Service for helping support the project, in particular Joe Duran, Pancho Smith and Nate Rezeau. Also Susie and Otis for their expert pack support and Rich Scholl for being a dutch oven magician as our designated cook.
Now that the trail work is done, it’s time to head out and see for yourself. There was plenty of water in the Sisquoc and the trails are in great shape. We’re starting to plan an early summer followup project to log the section of trail from Alamar Saddle down to Lower Bear. We’ll keep you posted and hope to see you next time around……
Crosscut Logging near Mansfield, photo Beckstrand
The Tombstone Oak, you know it’s taken some time when a tree gets a name, photo Burtness
Tread Looking Nice!
Benefits of stock support, photo Burtness
Eat like Kings and Queens
Spectacular Judell Trail, looking better than normal!
Give back to your trails by celebrating National Trails Day with the LPFA. This year we are hosting a 1-2 day project along the Cold Spring Trail in Santa Barbara County. With the help of a grant from the Los Padres Trails Riders, we’ll be base camping at Mono Campground and working the Cold Spring Trail through the Mono Jungle and up to the infamous North Cold Spring Slide. The Slide has been choking the trail for the past 10+ years and preventing most trail users from making it along the trail. We are going to spend our time reestablishing this section of trail and logging downed trees in the Mono Jungle. Here is a quick breakdown on the project logistics:
Friday June 5
– Arrive at Mono Campground in the afternoon or evening
– Setup camp, relax, nearby hot springs
Saturday June 6
– Arrive at Mono Campground
– Trail work will start at 0800
– We’ll break into groups and hike the 2miles to the slide section
– Work the trail……
– Stop work at 1500 and head back to Mono Campground
– BBQ and post-work cold beverages provided by the LPFA and TBA local brewing company
– Relax around camp, enjoy nearby hot springs
Sunday June 7
– Breakfast provided by the LPFA
– 0900, optional continued work on the Slide for those interested
– 1400 stop work and head back to Mono Campground
– Pack up and head home
If you are interested in helping either with trail work or as a camp cook, please email INFO@LPForest.org. For more information check here:
http://www.nationaltrailsday.org/events/north-cold-spring-trail-project/
List of more upcoming events……….
———————————————————————————–
May 19-27: Santa Cruz Trail Project
May: Buckhorn Trail Project
June 3-11: Mono Alamar Trail Project
June 5-7: National Trails Day, Mono Campground Trail Weekend
June 27: Big Sur Wilderness Celebration
June: Bear Sisquoc Crosscut
July 10-12: Santa Barbara 100 Endurance Run Support
July: Madulce Trail Crosscut
———————————————————————————–