The Trail Crew's July 10th workday at Fall Creek was canceled due to a forecasted high temperature of 103F, so for the July 24th work we decided to do what a lot of people think of when warm summer weather sets in, we headed to the coast! Fortunately for us Big Basin has a section right on the coast, so we headed over to the Rancho del Oso (RDO) area of Big Basin, which is just east of Wadell Beach.

The previous blog entry mentioned the Fall Creek section of Henry Cowell where we've been working can be warmer than Big Basin, about eight degrees warmer on average. Because of this we had already decided we would consider cancelling a workday for safety reasons if it looked like the day would be too hot. The new strategy didn't have to wait long to be tested as the forecast for our July 10th workday called for a high temperature of 103, so we decided it would be best to cancel the work.

Post Santa Cruz Lighting Complex Fire, trail work has meant many adjustments for the Big Basin Volunteer Trail Crew, the most obvious being we have yet to begin work in Big Basin due to ongoing dangers and fire re-ignitions. But our current work in the Fall Creek section of Henry Cowell brings it's own challenges, namely that it's about 8 degrees warmer in Fall Creek than at Big Basin.

The workday got off to a different start as we worked by ourselves for a change and were able to head out a little early after our usual morning gathering. How early? We got to the work site and started work 30+ minutes earlier than what has been the norm.

The big change is Kile, from the District crew, has gone back to a M-F workweek and is getting tired of working six days a week when we're out, so we'll be on our own starting in June. Another acknowledgement of the Trail Crew's dedication and professionalism.

Having missed the first workday in the Fall Creek section of Henry Cowell, I wasn't sure what to expect as we gathered for the May 8th work other than the forecasted high for the day was 88 and there would be a steep uphill climb to the vehicles at the end of the day.

It was great to see friendly faces—and Janie’s long hair—after so long away from the BBVTC as we congregated at the Santa Cruz District Maintenance Yard. We met Kile Foltz and Trevor Hesselbein of the professional trail crew, loaded tools and car pooled up El Solyo Rd. Some road in Marty, the 1989 brown State Park van featuring ash trays for every bench seat.

This was another month where the BBVTC was not in the Park working. However, John has been putting a lot of time into marking the new tools we've been purchasing. They're being marked both with the BBVTC logo and yellow/green colors so they should be easily identifiable. It’s nice to see the scabbard for the Pulaski. Hopefully soon there will be BBVTC members back in the Park.

Happy second Saturday of the month! Apologies for missing it in January, but the month seemed to slide by without much notice and there wasn't anything of interest to report anyway. BUT there is news this month, so please read at least a little further!

I received a note from Chris Pereira, district trails manager, about a week ago asking to meet this coming Thursday (18th) to discuss getting the Trail Crew back into the park. Chris mentioned before the Holidays that they were 'close' to finalizing plans for what areas of the park to reopen first and that plan would drive the trail work.

The beginning of 2021 still has the BBVTC locked out of the Park. There are signs things are improving. The Mother and Father of the Forest should recover but time will tell.