Our January 25th workday was the first full day in 10 weeks due to end of the year holidays along with a high wind park closure and we definitely felt it the day after with unusually sore muscles from the layoff. Despite only working about one-half mile from the trailhead, one person's GPS tracker said he walked six miles during the day and climbed the equivalent of 37 floors scrambling up and down hillsides to burn pile and debris hiding locations.
We started the day in our secondary meeting location in the old Blooms Creek Campground as a large tractor trailer truck was parked across the road in Jay Camp unloading foot bridge components that will be installed on sections of Hollow Tree and Skyline-to-Sea Trails in Big Basin along with a trail in Portola State Park.
At the end of the last workday we had completed clearing work, so three sawyers began Jan. 25th by heading in early to do some cutting so things would be ready when the bulk of the crew arrived. With burn pile and cut and disperse sites identified beforehand and chainsaw work well underway, we were able to get a fast start to the work.
And with fewer nearby locations for burn piles and hiding spots, we utilized burrito wrapped tarps to haul debris along the trail and up hillsides.
With a crew of 24 we were able to make good progress as we near the turn that will take the trail (and us) up to highway 236 above.
Before and after section
The crew put in 187 hours and thanks to Fremont Bainbridge, Daryn Bieri, Nan Bowman, Jm Brooks, Rory Brooks, Cecil Coe, John Collins, Deirdre Crommie, Denis DeCeuster, Dale Elliott, Michele Gelblum, Drew Granzella, Ryan Granzella, Marc Koenig, Andre Lee, Janie Leifhelm, John Martin, Janette Mello, Joe Mitchell, Mike Peasland, Brian Washburn, Bruce Washburn, Chris Young, and newcomer Norbert Lazar, for a very productive day.
by Mike and Jeff
Photos by Bruce and Mike