When we started work on Sequoia Trail in January 2024 the initial goal was to clear it from the Jay Camp area to Huckleberry in anticipation of the campground being opened to visitors sometime in 2025. As we reached Huckleberry it was decided to push-on to nearby Wastahi Campground and then figured we might as well do the entire stretch to Sempervirens Falls and Slippery Rock.
But as we're finishing the final couple of days at Slippery Rock, the question has become 'Now what'?.
Slippery Rock from the bottom of the Sequoia Trail south of Hwy 236
District trails manager Chris Periera sent an email last Saturday with an answer to the question - A choice of working on one of four different trails:
Continue work on Sequoia up to the top of Slippery Rock, across 236 and down the other side to North Escape Rd.
Pine Mtn Trail (aka Buzzard's Roost) that starts behind Blooms Creek
Basin Trail off upper China Grade
Upper Hollow Tree (also off upper China Grade)
Proposed work areas for the next phase of trail restoration.
Each trail has differing challenges, but Rory said it best when saying we should continue on Sequoia - 'We have invested so much already. It may be challenging, but we haven't walked away from a challenge yet'.
Continuing on Sequoia Trail
This may seem the most logical and many have recently asked if we'll continue work on Sequoia, cross 236 and head down the other side to North Escape Rd. But as far as I know, no one has taken a look at either end of that section of trail to try and determine how overgrown it might be.
The trail is 0.9 miles from 236 to the bottom and as shown on the map above from Chris's email, about a third of the distance parallels North Escape Rd so in that area we might be able to do the same as the Sky Meadow section and just move material down to the road for later chipping. Going in from the top, perhaps for a short distance, we could drag material out and stage it along the 236 edge (more room on the Slippery Rock side of the road).
Down Tree along the North Section of Sequoia Trail between Hwy 236 and No. Escape Road (2019-05)
It's the in between half mile or so that could be interesting. It's been a long time since I've been on it, but I recall long stretches of trail with a steep upslope and downslope with not many/any areas for burn piles. I mentioned this to Matt a couple of months ago and he said in cases that like they do cut and disperse. When I commented on the lack of accessible trail edge to disperse debris he mentioned running a rope down the slope, stationing people along the rope line and having others down below to disperse the material.
It would be an interesting challenge and of course we have no idea how overgrown the area is, but there could be a lot of Ceanothus that would need a new home.
Pine Mtn Trail (aka Buzzard's Roost Trail)
The trail is 1.8 miles in length and about a 1,000 ft climb. The nice thing is Pine Mtn Fire Rd cuts across the trail part way up, BUT I was out this week doing some exploring and noticed the vehicle bridge to the fire road is burned out. Not sure if there are plans to put at least a temporary bridge in or if it would mean a lot of hiking to the work area. (0.6 miles of trail below the road, 1.2 miles from road to Buzzards Roost.)
And of course the top section can get warm in summer.
View from the top of Buzzards Roost (2018-10)
Basin Trail
This trail has BBVTC history behind it as it was constructed by the Trail Crew in the late 70's/early 80's and was referred to as the Rim Trail. Way out there off upper China Grade Road and long at almost three miles from STS to Lane Trail Camp.
The nice thing is that it parallels China Grade Rd for much of the way which could allow us to drive out and then drop down to the work area. (Not sure how much of a drop it might be. Memories of the climb out of Fall Creek!)
And I would not want to work up there when it's warm in summer. Full exposure and it can get hot.
View from Basin Trail with a view of the Pacific Ocean to the west (2017-05)
Top Stretch of Hollow Tree Trail
The CCC did the lower stretch between STS and the old shingle mill in 2023, so this would be a 1.7 mile stretch running across to where it connects with the Basin Trail and China Grade Rd. Don't know much about it other than it's on the ridgeline like Basin Trail so can get hot in summer. Vehicle access points would be from China Grade near Lane Trail Camp and then on the other end from Johansen Fire Rd (I believe it was cleared after the fire and would be a long drive out).
So lots to consider. Let me know if you have any early thoughts.
And I'm going to ask Chris what the CCC plans are for 2025. Not sure if anyone has worked west of Middle Ridge yet or if that is the plan for next year.
Upper Hollow Tree Trail where it meets the Middleridge Road (2013-05)
After some discussion with the Crew it was decided that we'll push-on once again to complete the Sequoia loop. (A brief summary of all four potential work areas is at the bottom of this note if you're interested.) And I guess the first decision will be do we start at the top or bottom?
Some Slippery Rock History
We've spent the last several workdays in the Slippery Rock area which played a role in preserving the Big Basin old growth trees and establishing the park in the early 1900's.
In the late 1800's many of the old growth redwoods were being cut with the work gradually progressing up the San Lorenzo Valley toward Boulder Creek when San Jose photographer Andrew Hill became determined to preserve at least some trees before they were all cut down. He had already been stopped from photographing the logging in what is now Henry Cowell State Park, when he set his sights on the hills above Boulder Creek and the old growth redwoods in what would become Big Basin.
In the spring of 1900 Hill led a group of local civic leaders and conservationists to the area to convince them it was worth protecting and the group camped at the base of Slippery Rock. During the visit they decided to form the Sempervirens Club to lobby for the protection of the Big Basin area. (The Sempervirens Club was re-established in the 1960's and renamed the Sempervirens Fund.)
In Sept. 1902 what is now Big Basin was protected as a state park and initially named California Redwood Park before being renamed Big Basin in 1927.
An historical marked was placed at the bottom of Slippery Rock in the 1960's to commemorate the Hill party's visit to the area and the effort to protect the Big Basin trees.
During the 2020 fires the wood pedestal that it was mounted to was destroyed, but a staff person found the marker on the ground afterwards and it is now with the District archeologist.
No decision has been made on when to return it to the field.
Historical Marker Location Today
by Mike and Jeff
photos by Mike and Jeff