Fallen Trees / Trail Report

[Clay Moseley]

That was a bad wind storm that brought down a lot of trees, both old and dead, and what appeared to be healthy, live trees. Both made a lot of messes. It seemed like the trees just exploded to maximize the mess.

We were able to get the main trees cleared (thanks Kevin and Lukas) over 3 nights and about 18 hrs of totalwork. This includes all the associated messes raked out on the lower trail sections. 

But, above Point J, there is still necessary work to be done. We've left the rakes and a claw hammer (for chipping out frozen-in sticks and branches) at the biggest messy site on the 2nd switchback above Point J. We did do most of the cleaning on that big mess, which was by far the worst, but there are more spots that need cleaning above that if anyone is willing and able to help out. 

It'll be very beneficial since we might have to deal with thin snowpack all winter. Removing the debris will help us be able to groom again and will keep conditions much better when it does snow again. We'd need over 15" of new snow to cover what's there and that doesn't look likely. If we can get it removed, just a little bit of snow can improve things. Sounds like it'll snow a little next week. 

Otherwise, our old Kermit machine is getting close to being back in action (thanks Logan), and the clutch and belt situation on the Viking snowmobile has been repaired (thanks Walt).

Fencing was affected in some sections, but I think I'll take that on myself since I think I know how to get it reinforced better. 

New signage was installed (thanks Zach), but the one at Point A needs to be reinforced better.  It had blown down too. I'll get a cable or something to fix that. 

There's still snow out there and could be groomed. The meadow trails are still in descent shape. We just need to do some yard work to get things back in shape. 

See photos of the two nights of clearing:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/akGXEFhaZsxGceKe8

[Ann Satsangi]

Saturday 9:00am trail cleaning.  

Meet at the trailhead at 9:00am ready to go up. Please come bring extra rakes and clippers.  

This sounds best done as a group.

Thank you Clay, Kevin Lukas, Zach and all who work so hard on our trails.  

Ann

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[Clay Moseley]

Thanks Ann.  I think it would take about one or two hours from perhaps 5-6 people to get things cleared (not including the trip out there on either snowshoes or skis).  It is now all isolated to the trails above Point-J to about Point-K, which is that section just below the last two upper switchbacks on the system map.  Most of it is concentrated in the middle part of the upper trails from the 2nd switchback to the 5th (Point-K) switchback.

Instead of clippers, bring a claw hammer (one that can remove nails).  The claw part does a great job of chipping out/removing those sticks and branches embedded in the icy snowpack (they get caught in the groomer's tiller teeth and create problems while grooming). We left one up there, and there are 3 heavier-duty garden-style (rigid) rakes, and a couple of flexible grass rakes that are good for the finer stuff, but not so much for the heavy sticks and bits of wood.  Not everyone needs to bring their own stuff, but maybe a couple more of the garden rakes, which are more useful.

Of course, it doesn't have to be perfect, but getting out the bulk messes will be extremely beneficial.  

I'll plan on grooming the meadow from Point-N up to the top.  If the upper trails from J to L are cleaned up, we'll groom that too, but there will be some bare spots that'll need to be tip-toed through, so use your rockiest of rock skis!  Otherwise, the meadow will be pretty good.  We can get out to the meadow for good skiing using the inner trails for quite a while longer.  Hopefully we'll start seeing storms as we head into Christmas week.

Thanks for organizing!  Can't do all of this without some volunteers...

[Ann Satsangi]

Great! 

Saturday 9:00am trail cleaning.  

Meet at the trailhead at 9:00am ready to go up. Please come bring extra rakes and claw hammers to pull out imbedded wood pieces.  

Bring boots for working and skis for a few rounds of the Meadow. 

Ann