May 11, 2013 - East Ridge - Creeping Forest - Middleridge


I was a bright and sunny morning with the Azaleas starting to bloom and the mosquitoes were out for a bite.
We started at the Gate House to take care of a report on East Ridge between Hway 236 and Blooms Creek.  It wasn't much and by the time I hiked the 100m to the bridge and returned it was cleared.
Next was a report of a 1 foot Tan Oak about 1/2 mile up Creeping Forest but first we ran into this across the trail.  We thought that whomever reported didn't know what a half mile was because this was less than 1/10 mile up Hollow Tree.

After clearing the first Tan Oak we came across this 21" oak.  We took turns on the whip saw which was surprisingly quick in cutting through the tree.
 
 
 
After 3 cuts we had the trail cleared of the 21" oak, not 1 foot.  We finished the loop coming down Gazos with lunch at the picnic area just past Gazos Creek Bridge.
After lunch we drove up to Ocean View in search of 2 reported Redwoods.  Nothing up to Ocean View but we stopped to take in the view.  I was very warm with the Yerba Santa in bloom and I was able to capture a Swallow Tailed Butterfly on one of them.
Right after Ocean View we did find the Redwoods.  I found out later that there was an emergency at the falls and this was cleared enough to get the vehicles through.  We used 2 saws and had much fun with the wonderful logs.


I would like to thank Dale S., Janie, Bill, Janette, Kathy, Peter, Michelle, Mike, and Norm for putting in 72 hours on the trails.  Another satisfying day in the park.

See you on the trails.

Jeff

Very birdy day with the highlight being a Belted Kingfisher flying and calling up Opal Creek at Gazos Creek Bridge.

Birds of the Day
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)    3
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)    1
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)    4
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)    1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)    1
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi)    1
Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis)    6
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)    3
Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)    4
Common Raven (Corvus corax)    1
Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)    2
Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea)    2
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)    3
Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus)    2
Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata)    3
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)    3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)    1
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata)    1
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)    2
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)    5
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)    2
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)    1
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)    1 

April 13, 2013 - STS and Sequoia

Bob has left this world to start a new adventure.  Who knows maybe he will start a new trail crew to build trails to the stars and when I look up at those stars I know I will find my way.  We will miss you Bob.
 

Bob Kirsch (1922 to March 24, 2013)

It was a cool morning but it would turn into a very pleasant day.  Great day to be in the park.  There were 11 members out so we split up into 2 crews.  Dale P. took one crew of Dale S., Janette, Janie, Bill, Peter, and Michelle to work on 4-5 items on the Sequoia and Shadaowbrook trials, which took until lunch time to finish.
After lunch they head down the Bob Kirsch Trial to clean up the Schultz bridge the crew built in 2000.
 
  
I took the rest of the crew of Mike, Fran, and Norm to the Bloom's Creek connector trail and found the reported tree already removed.  Norm had a problem last week on the STS trail between Creeping Forest and Maddock's cabin site where he guessed that the tree was about 3 feet in diameter.

 
 
 
We found it but it was 36-1/4" in diameter (pretty close Norm).  It took some time to open the trail since the saw we had was 24" bar and it required cutting one side then the other.  On the 4th try I even made a straight cut.  There was fun in the log rolling too.
 
Redwood Violet (Viola sempervirens)
Opal Creek

We put in 79 hours and I would like to thank Dale S., Dale P., Janie, Bill, Mike, Fran, Michelle, Peter, Norm, and Janette.

See you on the trails.

Jeff

photos by Jeff and Peter

 Birds of the Day
1 Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
1 Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
1 Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
2 Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
4 Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis)
7 Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)
1 Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)
5 Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus)
2 Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata)
3 Wilson's Warbler (Pacific Coast) (Cardellina pusilla chryseola)
3 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (Junco hyemalis [oreganus Group])
1 Hutton's Vireo (Vireo huttoni)
4 Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)
1 Common Raven (Corvus corax)
2 Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea)

March 9, 2013 - STS to Last Chance

It was a cool morning but the storms had passed and the sky was very blue   That's one of the signature features of the Santa Cruz Mountains: the blue sky and the redwoods. It still amazes me even after 17 years living in Boulder Creek.  The crew was 10 strong so we decided to split up and Dale took one crew to investigate a report in the East Ridge and Pine Mt. area and I took the other to STS at Gazos with the plan to meet on Last Chance Trail.  


The report on STS was there but someone took care of it already.  Luckily it was less than a tenth of a mile past Gazos.  We then headed out to the Maddock's cabin area to look at a bridge with a missing plank.  On the trail to the cabin site we came across a 7" oak and a 10" redwood.  The oak was bent around 4 other trees and for once as it was cut it went in the guessed direction and pinched the tip of the saw.  We got the saw loose and finished clearing the trail.
After reaching the bridge across Maddock's Creek we measured the plank for another day and headed back across Opal Creek to where we parked on No. Escape.
Opal Creek Crossing

Kathy knew of a tree down on Blooms Creek Trial and that was on the way to Last Chance Trail and a few cuts and the trail was cleared of the 20" oak.
Dale's crew found nothing and were already on Last Chance when we met up just after noon and time for lunch. 
California Milk Maid
Lunch by East Waddell Creek.
Redwood Violets
Painted Lady Butterfly
Maybe an old American Dipper Nest

Link to a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH1dfnyBSOQ


Kathy was able to find a pair of American Dipper after crossing the Creek with one sitting on a nest and she was able to photograph them.

It turn out to be a nice day with some wind with a cool breath and the wildflowers were starting to bloom.  What else could we ask for?  We put in 72 hours and I would like to thank Dale P., Dale S., Janie, Bill, Herman, Peter, Mike, Janette, and Kathy.

 See you on the trails.

 Jeff

 Birds of the Day
2 Common Raven Corvus corax
1 Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis
3 Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
1 Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
2 Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni
2 Chestnut-backed Chickadee Poecile rufescens
6 Pacific Wren Troglodytes pacificus
2 Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa
4 Varied Thrush Ixoreus naevius
1 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) Junco hyemalis [oreganus Group]

February 9, 2013 - Sunset Trail

Last month, working around the falls, we heard about trees down along the inner loop of Sunset-Timm's-STS.  So we headed out to our regular parking spot at Middle Ridge and Gazos.
Heading out Sunset we came across a 3 small trees, which were taken care of with hand saws.
And then the drama started.  There was a 10" oak hanging over the trail and we figured that one cut and the tree would fall to the ground and that would be that.  Well after 4 cuts it still hung over the trail.  There was a small branch the held the tree off the ground and when that cut was taken out then it did fall.
Finally cleared

Then we came across this.  A large 4ft Fir took out a 29" Fir and a smaller 15" Fir.  A Fir fest.
We started with the smaller Fir but that took some effort to cut an move off the trail.
The big push

Lunch time turned into a sunbathing activity which was nice compared to the very cool start of the day.
After lunch we worked on making a crawlway under the larger Fir.  With a 24" bar that's all we could do without Big Bertha.
Kathy hiked from HQ and met us at the Fir and she said there was another Fir across the trail on the other side of Middle Ridge.
Some more hand and chain saw work and the trail was open.
Kathy told me of some European visitors that had commented to her that the park was very well maintained and that there was no trash compared to the parks in Europe.  That's nice to hear.  Remember we pay time and half when it rains and you have the weekdays off.  What a job.

 I would like to thank Janie, Bill, Mike, Fran, Janette, and Kathy for the 54.5 hours we put in.  It was a hard day but rewarding.  We will be back with Big Bertha.

 See you on the trails.

 Jeff

 Birds of the Day
Birders: Jeff, Kathy, and Fran (Junco party)



Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus

Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus

Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus

Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri

Common Raven Corvus corax

American Robin Turdus migratorius1

Varied Thrush Ixoreus naevius

Chestnut-backed Chickadee Poecile rufescens

Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis

Brown Creeper Certhia americana

Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa

Townsend's Warbler Setophaga townsendi

Fox Sparrow (Sooty) Passerella iliaca [unalaschcensis Group]

Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) Junco hyemalis [oreganus Group]

Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra

Pine Siskin Spinus pinus

Januray 12, 2013 - Falls

It was a very cool morning and we had a good start of the new year with 13 members and one new showing up.  We were going to work the inner Falls loop but decided to head out to the Falls starting at Sunset camp. 


Peter and Michelle had to leave early so they headed out to Sequoia Trail to clear an old Madrone.
 
 
On the way out to Sunset Camp the guy with the train in the middle of the redwoods has made some good progress on his tree mansion.





We split up into two crews with Dale S. taking one crew down Sunset to Timm's Creek and I took the other half down the Berry Creek Falls Trail.  Golden Falls was a beautiful sight with a lot of water flowing over it.
 
After clearing a blockage at the trail head at Sunset we found an oak and a Redwood on the trail between Silver and Berry Creek Falls.
We had to leave the Redwood since it was loose and keep sliding down the hillside but we were able to open up a navigable path around it.
The highlight of the day was seeing Berry Creek Falls.  It was a perfect time of day when we got there and the sun was shining through the mist and creating rainbows
 
  
The final blockage for us was Redwood limbs and a 16" oak that had fallen onto the trail.  It took about 6 cuts to clear it off the trail.
 
 
Dale S's group cleared 8 trees, (not counting the tree were we split into the two groups), using the chain saw only once.  Our new member, Casey, was energetic and in one case he was over half way through a 10" tree with a pulaski before Dale's group caught up to with him. 

We were able to complete the 4.1 mile loop with both crews meeting at the Timm's Creek tree bridge almost half way.  We headed back along Timm's to Sunset and it turned out to be a long day with us getting back to HQ after 5 pm.  We put in 117 hours and I would like to thank Kathy, Fran, Gene, Janie, Francis, Norm, Dale S., Dale P., Janette, Peter, Michelle, and the new volunteer Casey.

 See you on the trails

 Jeff
photos by Peter and Jeff
birders Janette, Gene, Kathy, and Jeff

Birds of the Day
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Chestnut-back Chicadee
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Northern Flicker
Anna's Hummingbird
Band-tail Pigeon
Townsend's Warbler
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Acorn Woodpecker
Common Raven
Pacific Wren
Wrentit
Hairy Woodpecker

December 8, 2012 - Sunset & Sequoia Trails


It has been a rainy month with almost 20" falling in Boulder Creek since the last time we were out.  On the big board was 2 areas that had reports of downed trees: Sunset and Sequoia Tails.  We split up into 2 crews with Dale P. taking one crew to work on Sequoia and I took one to Sunset.

 Trail Map of Work areas

 14 Crew Members Showed Up at HQ

My crew drove up Gazos Creek Rd to Middle Ridge and then hiked in to the first blockage a 4 ft Redwood.

Dale S. started working on the Redwood and some of the crew headed down the trail as scouts. 
Opened after some work

The scouts returned with a report of another blockage at the Sunset Connector junction.  A 30" oak had fallen right through the Connector and it was about 8 feet above the trail at this end.


As normal we took care of the small stuff and then worked on the main section.  It took about 10 cuts and boy does a sharp chain make a difference.  On this cut Bill was looking for his glasses, which were most likely knocked off clearing the limbs.  Fran walks up and spots them under the far section of the trunk that was about a minute from being cut through.  Pretty lucky.
 No V-cut needed

 Dale's crew watching the last section being rolled off the trail

 Just like new

We ended the day with our annual gathering and this time we were back at the start, the Boulder Creek Brewery.  They had hired a new chef a few months ago and the food was much better.
 
I would like to thank the 21 members that turned out over the year and today's crew Dale P., Kathy, Norm, Dale S., Janie, Bill, Francis, Gene, Janette, Fran, Mike, Peter, and Michelle with Jeannine, Roger, Anita, and Manny joining us at the Pub.  It was close but we did break the 1000 hour mark for the 3rd straight year with 1009 hours. 

See you on the trails

Jeff
Photos by Kathy, Jeff, and a friendly patron at the pub.

P.S.

A note from a member:

Hi trail crew,

I came to California from Ireland over 20 years ago. I thought it was the greatest place on earth and still do. However, times move on and I am relocating my family to upstate New York where my wife has an exciting job offer.

I have had a pretty adventurous time here on the west coast. I know I will be telling my kids years from now, how, when I was on the trail crew, we dug out mountains and built bridges with our bare hands, while fighting off wild boar and mountain lions, stopping only to drink from a nearby stream and catch our breath....right?

Best of luck to you all and make sure you protect those truly precious Redwoods for when I come back.

Tom

Birds of the Day
Acorn Woodpecker
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Pine Siskin
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Steller's Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper

For the year in the park my bird highlights were the Hermit and Varied Thrush which were very numerous on the East Ridge trail.  The Sharp-shinned Hawks were a first for me in the park and Kathy saw one take a bird in flight today.  But my favorite was the disrupted Red-Breasted Nuthatch, which showed up in mass in September and continues. A good year for the birds.
Red-Breasted Nuthach

November 10, 2012 - Hollow Tree & Meteor Loop Trail

The day started out cool and it stayed that way in fact I didn't take my jacket off all day.  We started out tidying up the Redwood loop: literally.  There was some dead oak branches along the trail with brown leaves and there we were tidying up.  However, it is always nice to take in the views of the Redwoods along this loop.


 Curly Bark Redwood

After the Redwood Loop we headed out North Escape Rd to the kiosk at the Hollow Tree Trail.  All day we ran into small downed trees like this one.  We were able to take care of them all with hand saws.
Work Area Part 2



 Burned out Redwood along the upper section of Hollow Tree Trail

While I was taking photos of the Redwood the rest of the crew pressed on and I found them and it was obviously lunch time.
  Gem-studded Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum)

Steep section on Hollow Tree Trail

After Hollow Tree we hiked down Middle Ridge to Meteor Trail.  Again small stuff along the way and some light brushing.

Seasonal stream along Meteor Trail

Over all it was another easy day but we put in about 5 miles.  I would like to thank Dale S., Janie, Bill, Francis, Fran, Gene, Janette, and Mike.  We put in 7.5 hours and now we are at 859 hours for the year.  We only need 141 hours to break 1000 hours and although a little bit of a stretch we could make it with a good turn out in December and maybe another holiday gathering.

See you on the trails.

Jeff

Birds of the Day
Norther Flicker
Steller's Jay
Chestnut-back Chickadee
Hermit Thrush
Pacific Wren
Acorn Woodpecker
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Hairy Woodpecker
Varied Thrush   

October 13, 2012- Mainly Basin Trail


The morning was cool but it would turn into a very pleasant Fall day.  We got a call from our friend Linda giving us the heads up on a couple of small things on the Shadowbrook Trail near East Ridge and near Slippery Rock.
On Shadowbrook we came across Chum Chum the forest observer before getting to the first small tree across the trail.
Fairly easy even with hand saws and in 2 cuts it was cleared.



Firs at Slippery Rock

After taking care of the lower part of the park we headed out to Basin Trail to do brushing.  For a change we didn't picked August and the heat to work in this sunny area.  We worked on removing leaves and debris from the inside of the trail.

 Redwoods on Basin Trail

The rest of the day we spent brushing the trail.  We worked on this section a couple of years ago and the over growth wasn't that bad.
 After brushing
 Not a bad place to take a call
 
Moss covered Redwood

We put in 77 volunteer hours today and with a total of 780 for the year we will be close to breaking 1000 hours for 2012.  I would like to thank Tom, Dale P., Josh, Dale S., Peter, Michele, Gene, Fran, Janette, and new member Amanda.

On another note, the founder of the BBVTC, Bob Kirsch, is turning 90 on the 21st and a few people will be paying him a visit in Bend, Oregon.  For those of us who cannot make it here's a greeting for the crew.
See you on the trails

Jeff

Birds of the Day
1 Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
1 Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
1 Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
4 Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)
1 Common Raven (Corvus corax)
4 Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)
5 Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta Canadensis)
1 Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)
2 Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata)
6 Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronate)
1 Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)
4 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (Junco hyemalis [oreganus Group])
2 Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)
1 Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria)

September 8, 2012 - Buzzards Roost

It was a beautiful morning and as the crew showed up we decided to work on the Pine Mt. Tail, which ends at a great view looking towards RDO called Buzzard's Roost.
A plan that worked for the East Ridge brushing last year was to hike to the top and work the way down.  So we headed off to the view.  On the way Tom and Janette were constantly have deja vu flash backs partly, ok mostly, because I was saying we weren't on this trail for years.  We made it to the top around 11:30 and we did get our views.
View to the ocean in the RDO direction.

View toward Boulder Creek (photo by Tom)

We took in the view and stayed out the sun in the shadows of the out cropping.
Lunch at the rocky switch back (no poison oak)

After some time at the top we head down and I realized that the trail was in very good shape and realized that the crew that was out in May did make it to the top and had brushed the trail (so they weren't going crazy: at least I think).  So I finally got my lazy day with a great hike in the park.

 On the way down we took the fire road to check it out but also for a different way back.  Near the bottom we came upon a large snag that appeared to be an old Fir.  We saw a Woodpecker fly from it and assumed it was an Acorn since you could see the holes they use to stuff their acorns.  In this area we also found a mixed flock of Townsend Warblers, Chickadees, Pacific Wren, and Hutton Vireoes.  Great way to end the day.
Although it was an easier than normal day we did put in 7 hours for a total of 42 hours for the day.  We are a little behind last years record volunteer hours by about 40 but it is still possible to break last years record with 3 more trail days left.  I would like to thank Gene, Tom, Norm. Janette, and new member Kathy for giving their time for nature.

 See you on the trails.

 Jeff

Bird Count 
2 Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

1 Red-tailed Hawk (Western) (Buteo jamaicensis calurus)
3 Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
1 Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
1 Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
1 Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
1 Hutton's Vireo (Vireo huttoni)
8 Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)
1 Common Raven (Corvus corax)
6 Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)
1 Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)
5 Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)
3 Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus)
2 Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata)
3 Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga townsendi)
6 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (Junco hyemalis [oreganus])
 



August 11, 2012 - Lagomarsino Open Space Reserve

BBVTC friend, Linda of Sempervirens Fund, needed some help preparing old growth groves in the Lagomarsino Open Space Reserve area in San Mateo County off of Summit road.  We met at our regular 9am time but at Alice's Restaurant at the junctions of Hwy 84 and 35 (Summit Rd. or Skyline depending where you are).  There was a good turn out with 14 crew members and Ranger Loro.

 From Alice's we head north about 5 miles and turned left onto Swett Rd.  Then another 5 miles to the parking area on Native Sons Rd.  We hiked a short distance to the groves and it was already warm with the temperature at 88F as we arrived. 
These were very large trees but still not as big as the Mother and Father of the Forest in Big Basin.  There were also a few very large Douglas Fir.
Tom looking over the map of the groves with Linda
 The crew in front of a very large stump.
 One of the old growth redwoods with a smaller one with unusual flat top branching.
 One of the larger trees had a large Dusky-footed Woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes) nest inside.
It took a little bush whacking to get our bearing with the map but once we did it was fairly easy to locate the individual trees.
 It was one hot day getting up to 98F but luckily we were in the shade most of the time.  On the way out Linda shared some grapes, which were very sweet.
 And another treat was watermelon back at the cars.  We put in 98 hours on one of the hottest days of the year and I would like to thank Gene for giving me water since I ran out of my 2 quarts about 2 hours before we finished.  I would like to thank Ranger Loro, Linda, Mike, Gene, Dale S., Dale P., Herman, Tom, Janie, Bill, Fran, Peter, Michelle,and Francis.  Hope to see you next month.

See you on the trails.

Jeff

Bird Count

4 Band-tailed Pigeons
1 Raven
4 Chestnut-backed Chickadees
1 Brown Creeper
1 Hutton Vireo
2 Pygmy Nuthatch
1 Stellar's Jay 
1 Acorn Woodpecker


July 14, 2012 - Berry Creek Falls

The day started out foggy but turned into a blue sky day and very pleasant.  We were going to work on the trails around HQ but Janie mentioned the falls and off we went to the 3 falls that run along Berry Creek Falls trail. 

To get there we drove out Gazos Creek road and it would turned out we cleared more things off the roads than the trails.  This was on Gazos and it took all of 2 minutes to clear.
 


After years of watching the property with the caboose we met the man who owns the property and he has started an new project.  I don't know if I would want to be in this tree house during a winter storm.

We parked at the Sunset campground and headed down the falls starting on the Berry Creek Falls Trail.  There was more water flowing than I would have expected since BB only got 34" of rain this year.  Golden was first and then Silver,
 Along the way we took our time or at least I did to take numerous photos. 
White-veined Wintergreen (Pyrola picta)


Berry Creek Falls
We had lunch at Berry Creek Falls deck and then headed along STS towards Timm's Creek Trail.  There was some light brushing with most being along the upper send of Sunset Trail.
 I came across this very large fallen tree and I had to count the rings: 250 years old.
 I was carrying the crosscut saw all day and near the end of the hike we were able to use it.

The loop was about 4.5 miles but it took all day to do it.  We worked from 9 to 6 for 81 hours and I think we all had a great day.  I would like to thank Tom, Dale P., Jennie, Loren, Bill, Janie, Fran, and Gene.

See you on the trails.

Jeff

Bird Count:

2 Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
1 Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
7 Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis)
4 Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)
4 Common Raven (Corvus corax)
17 Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)
6 Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)
7 Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus)
1 Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata)
5 Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)
2 Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)
1 Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)


June 8, 2012 - East Ridge and Beyond

It was a very nice morning and 7 crew members started out with 2 others being behind their time and they never caught up to us.  We decided to clean up after last months work on the East Ridge Trail.  The first tree to finish up looked a little strange in that the saw dust looked a little large for a hand saw and this would be confirmed a little farther down the trail.  We stopped by a grove and noticed that a Tan Oak was obstructing the dedication sign.
It didn't take long to clean up the area and we were off.  This section of the park was very birdy with the Hermit Thrushes and Pacific Wrens singing their heart out.
Farther down the trail we came across an area we left a 20" oak across the trail.  This and all the other clean up work was done and with a chain saw.  So much for the Marbled Murlets.
We came across a small patch of Wintergreen along the trail.  Along with other great sights of a charred grove and an old cut Redwood mostly likely cut after the 1900 San Fran earthquake.


Along Shadowbrook we came across this monster blockage that took about 2 minutes to clear.
We head toward the Redwood loop to take care of a Tan Oak that was partially on the trail and then headed back where we found another Tan Oak on the STS/Hihn Hammond Connector trail.
I was carrying the crosscut saw all day and we finally were able to use it.  Three cuts, 2 with the crosscut, and the trail was cleared.  The larger section was moved behind the old Redwood (see below) by pivoting it while balancing on the Redwood.  Monkeys use tools and there was much rejoicing and chest bounding.

I would like to thank Dale S., Micheal, Norm, Dale P., Gene, and Mike with a tip of the hat to Fran and Francis for showing up although not being able to connect the the rest of the crew.  We put in 63 hours but it was a great day for a walk in the woods since must of our work was taken care of over the last month.
Mother of the Forest on the Redwood Loop.

See you on the trail.

Jeff

Birds of the Day


1 Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna
10 Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus
3 Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus
    Nest hole in a dead fir next to the Redwood Loop and Hwy 236
2 Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
9 Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis
    One fledgling calling peep
1 Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
8 Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri
2 Common Raven Corvus corax
8 Chestnut-backed Chickadee Poecile rufescens
2 Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea
8 Brown Creeper Certhia americana
9 Pacific Wren Troglodytes pacificus
1 Wrentit Chamaea fasciata
10 Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus
1 American Robin Turdus migratorius
7 Wilson's Warbler Cardellina pusilla
2 Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
5 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) Junco hyemalis [oreganus Group]
1 Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus
1 Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus

May 13, 2012 - Dool & East Ridge

There were 11 crew members this month and with these numbers we were able to split up.  Dale P. took one crew and they went up the trail from headquarters to Sequoia Group Camp and did not find the reported tree down on the trail.  They then went across Opal creek near the amphitheater to Skyline to the Sea Trail.  They followed that to Dool Trail and did some brushing along the way and went up Dool to Middleridge and did a little brushing along the way. 

They came back down Dool to Creeping Forest Trail and followed it back to Skyline to the Sea back to Headquarters.  There was not much to do on these trails.  There was one tree across Creeping Forest less than a quarter of a mile up from Skyline to the Sea.  It was only about 8 to 10 inches in diameter and was laying on the ground and was easy to step over.  They did not take the hand saw on this portion of our expedition so we could not take it out.

I took the other crew on what I thought would be a lazy walk through the park.  There were two areas that was worked on over the last few months so it was time to take care of them.  One area was on East Ridge on the other side of Hwy 236 and the other was the 115 foot section along Blooms Creek.

I had a bright idea to take East Ridge from the bridge on the road leading to Hihn Hammond road.  It was long when we found the first of what would turn out to be 8 areas with trees from 1/2" to 24".  Plus we only had hand saws.  The first area was an oak, which was covering about 30-40 feet of the trail.

 
 The next section was a tree that fell all over the trail.
 
 Bill did a great job tackling it in quick time and it could be hear "He's so strong.  He's our hero" :-)

The next one blocked the trail completely and it was so dense that you couldn't see through the mess.
 We could see through the mess at lunch time
 and at the end of the day you could at least walk over the trees.  This will be for next month.
 I would like to thanks Dale P., Bill, Janie, Tom, Herman, Gene, Janette, Francis, Peter, and Michelle.  We put in 7 hours for a total 77 volunteer hours.  Hope to see you next month.

See you on the trails

Jeff and Dale P.

Bird Count
1 Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma)
3 Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
1 Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
1 Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
5 Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis)
1 Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)
2 Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)
1 Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)
5 Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus)
1 American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
4 Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)
1 Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata)
1 Hermit Warbler Setophaga occidentalis)
1 Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)
3 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (Junco hyemalis [oreganus Group])
2 Black-headed Grosbeak )Pheucticus melanocephalus)

April 14, 2012 - 2 Crews, 2 Big Trees

Another day in the park brought out Dale S., Bill, Janie, Gene, Fran, Norm, Peter, and me.  We split up into 2 crews to take care of large blockages on the STS trail.


The first crew of Janie, Bill, Norm, and Dale^2 headed back to Skyline to the Sea and the remaining 4 ft redwood tree on the STS trail near the Sunset Connector Trail. They took the large Stihl saw and the basic hand tools.  They started off with cool overcast skies…

 Norm was determined and not ready to give up to the saw
 OK, he’s tired.
 Now it’s the saws turn
 oops saw stuck, Mr. Stickum trying to un-stickum.  So it was time for a short walk to the tool bin and another saw.
 As the gap got larger
 everything else did too.
 Victory was finally achieved.
and we finished in beautiful sunshine.

The second crew went out to take care of a 3ft Fir down on the STS trail between HQ and Middle Ridge fire road.
This was actually 2 trees this one, a fir, that blocked two ends of the trail.

This was the second , which was the root ball and a 3 foot fir on the trail.
The first fir was under tension along the entire length.  It took a few cuts to open the one end and it ended with help from a few hiking volunteers to roll the section off the trail.
The other end required taking the tension off the trunk by taking sections out using the Pulaski.
 The Fir was over 200 years years old and it didn't go down without a fight.
We bent the hoe end of the tool
 We finally opened up the end next to the root ball but ran out of time and energy to take on the second tree.  We routed the trail around the root ball by putting in a few steps.


We put in 64 hours and was able to open one section and made the other safer for the park visitors.  Thanks to Dale for the crew #1 report and well as the photos.


See you on the trails


Jeff


Birding update:



1 Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
1 Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata
4 Pacific Wren Troglodytes pacificus
2 Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus
1 Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens
2 Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus
1 Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni
1 Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri
1 Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea
2 American Robin Turdus migratorius
3 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) Junco hyemalis [oreganus Group]

March 10 2012 - Pine Mountain

It was a cool morning with a lot of visitors in the park.  Ranger Karsten informed us of blockages on Gazos, Pine Mountain, and behind Blooms Creek campground.  It sounded like a plan.  I took Gene and Janette to clear Gazos and there was a small tree on the road before Middleridge.  We wondered if that was the blockage but the report was that the blockage past Middleridge.

We did find an 18" fir down between Middleridge and the San Mateo County Line.  We opened the road but the root ball was rolling down with each cut so we left it but it was still off the road.
Don't forget I need to be on the other side of the gate :-)
We caught up with the other group at an oak down along 40 ft of the trail about 10 minutes past the Pine Mountain fire road.  This report was found in the dark while the range was searching for a couple of hikers that headed out a 5:30 pm or about 30 minutes before the on set of darkness.
A lot of limbing was required.
Fran with her trusty saw.
 Still clearing after about an hour.
One last push.
After 8 cuts with the chainsaw, lunch, and the final clearing the trail was open.  About 15 hikers past us and they did express their appreciation. 

I had hiked back down to get fuel and bar oil and drove back to the intersection of the fire road and trail earlier.  This allowed Gene, Norm, and me to get back to the parking area before the rest of the crew.  I asked Norm about the blockage at the campground and he said that the first thing they encountered was on Pine Mountain.  Base on the description, I knew that there was something else on the trail.  We headed out and about 50 feet from the foot bridge we ran into this.
At first we thought that it was a short section that was blocked but it turned out to be a 22" oak and 2 smaller oaks that it took out and about 115ft of the trail was blocked.  It was impassable and had turned hikers around as we reached it. 
This took 2 saws working and the entire crew to hide the cuttings but after about 2-1/2 hours we had the trail opened.  There is still work to be done since the oak was so wet that we were cutting pulp so we left it and another 20" oak for next month.
It was a short day turned into a long day with the final blockage.  Someone suggested a brew at the pub and that was all that needed to be said.
Another great turn out with 10 members putting in 75 hours.  I would like to thank Janie, Bill, Michelle, Peter, Fran, Mike, Gene, Janette, and Norm.  Hope to see you next month.

See you on the trails.

Jeff

Photos by Jeff and Janette

For the birders

At HQ: Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon), Acorn Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Pileated Woodpecker, and Robin
Gazos: Hutton's Vireo, and Pacific Wren
Pine Mt: Band-tail Pigeon, Varied Thrush, Acorn Woodpecker, Pigmy Nuthatch, Chestnut-back Chickadee,  Spotted Towhee, Hermit Thrush, Pacific Wren, and Raven

February 11, 2012 - 3 Crews


On the way into the park there was light rain falling but it didn’t deter 11 regular crew members and 3 new guys from showing up.  One of the new crew members was Jordan, who is an ultra marathoner.  He regularly runs 20+ miles through the park so he supplied the crew with a very good report of trail blockages.  We were able to split up into 3 crews with Dale P. leading one with Michelle, Peter, Janie, and Bill to take care of Hollow Tree Trail in the Lane Camp area.  Dale S. took Mike, Fran, Gene, and Michael to continue the work on the 2 4ft redwoods that fell across the STS just above the STS-Sunset connector.  I took the new guys of John, Josh, and Jordan on the trek around the Sunset>Timm’s>STS Loop.

Dale P’s crew headed to their work area via China Grade, with Dale S’s and my crew heading to the parking area where Middle Ridge, Sunset Trail, and Gazos Creek Rd meet.  I decided to take my Husky just in case and I asked if anyone had a hand saw (need to get the crew’s 24” saws sharpened) and Mike offered his up and it would turn out to be fortuitous.  We did light brushing and cleared 4 small trees across the trail with 2 being taken care of by the hand saw and 2 were around 10” and were quickly taken care of with the Husky.  We were moving at a good clip and we reached the blockage on Timm’s Creek in about an hour.
This was an 18” oak that had fallen on the trail and blocked about 25 to 30 feet of the trail.  This is at the same spot where a 36” Fir came down on the trail and covered about 60 to 80 feet of the trail.  We could see the tree across from where we were working.

The oak had fallen hard and was buried about 6-8”, which placed the truck in tension.  I was making the first cut and I was about 2/3rds the way through when the tree cracked and caught my saw.  We tried levers, releasing some the weight by trimming the top off with Mikes 9” folding saw, and after 3 or 4 cuts at different points over about an hour and a big push we were able to move the tree freeing the saw. 
After that we had lunch and when we started back up in less than 30 minutes we had the trail completely opened.
We finished up with a tan oak that had fallen next to the STS portion of the loop where a few small branches hung over the trail.  This was about ½ mile from the connector and as we approached the connector we could hear Dale S’s group working on the redwoods
We hiked up to the work area and got some video of log rolling. It took Dale S’s crew until 1 pm to finish the first cut because it was lying against the standing redwood and Mike said that it was a bear to make the cut and it took some time to find out what was still holding the round in place. It seemed loose and they could move it a little, but it just wouldn't break loose so they could roll it out of the way. What a pain! But after that cut larger sections were able to be cut. Dale eventually put us to work to finish off the first redwood that had the lowest clearance making it very difficult for hikers to crawl under. With that redwood cleared, the number of people climbing up and down a steep slippery route to bypass the blockage should be reduced
Dale P’s group cleared the tree on Eastridge Trail near Roger’s Rd and about 4 or 5 on the Hollow Tree Trail. They started from the Lane trail camp and went as far as the Johansen Shingle Mill. The last one was cleared and it was about 100 yards past the shingle mill. The upper part of Hollow Tree needed a lot of brushing and they did quite a bit of it but it could still use some more.

It was a cool damp day with a light rain coming and going. Every time we brushed something the water on the branches would add to the rain. With that said, we put in a solid 8.5 hour day for 119 volunteer hours. I would like to thank Mike, Michelle, Peter, Janie, Bill, Michael, Gene, Dale P., Dale S., Fran, and the 3 new additions to the crew Josh, John, and Jordan. Hope to see you all out next month.

See you on the trails.

Jeff

Thanks to Mike and Dale P. for helping in the writing of this month’s trail report.
STS = Skyline-To-Sea

January 14, 2012 - STS & Pine Mt.

It was a very cool morning with the temperature varying base on where we were.  It was very cool at HQ but it warmed noticeably at higher elevations.  There were some hikers in shorts at 9am with the temperature around 34F.  Figure that one.

STS Crew
We'll there were 13 members out so we split up into 2 crews with Dale P. heading up one to take care of at least 3 reported trees down with the largest being 14" and I took one crew back out to the 2 4ft redwoods on STS between the slide and the Sunset connector.

We had the 48" saw and with Dale S. saw we were able to work on two areas.  The crew was 5 strong and was made of Dale S., Norm, Michelle, Peter, and me.
There was a 30" redwood with splintered ends and the upper section was being supported by a small Tan oak.  We decided to cut off the sharp ends and bring down the section above the trail.
The other area was the 2 4ft redwoods, which Dale worked on with Norm spotting.  Here you can see these were long sections.
 There were two ways around, which were crawling under the two trees or
off to the left there was a steep way down.  This look ok when it is dry but could be a problem when the rain starts.
Dale working on one of the 4 footers.
Because of the position of the 30" redwood and having a 24" bar we had to use a Pulaski to notch out a section so the saw could cut through the entire diameter.  This required 3 cuts for each section.  Luckily, we only needed to make 2 section for 6 total cuts.  The upper section was cut above the oak and with a lever and pushing hard with feet the entire section was cleared off the trail in one section cut and in one shot. 
The 48" saw started giving us problems so we weren't able to clear the 4 footers but we did open the section by the 30" redwood.

Pine Mountain Crew
Here's the report from the second crew thanks to Mike.

While Jeff's team dragged the Howard King saw out on the Sunset trail to take care of the large trees from last month, Dale P., Janie, Bill, Janette, Tom, Fran and Mike set out on the 4+ mile, 1,100 foot, hike to Buzzard Roost to check on three reported small-medium size trees on the trial.

The first tree was about an 18-inch tan oak that we found on the East Ridge Trail between the Pine Mtn fire road and where East Ridge meets up with the Buzzard Roost Trail. Although the tree was larger than expected, Dale Petersen made several cuts and we were able roll two large sections neatly off the trail. 

The second tree was a much smaller tan oak that was quickly taken care of. Afterwards, as we approached the turn just below where the trail recrosses the fire road, we saw that hikers had once again reopened the volunteer trail that when taken requires a scamper up a steep hillside to reach the fire road. We have closed this section several times in the past, but with no signage it keeps being reopened. We again blocked the trail entrance with logs and branches, brushed over the entire length of closed trail to make it less obvious, and hoped for the best.

There was supposed to be a third tree on the trail between the fire road and the top, but we never did find it.

After eating lunch on Buzzard Roost and enjoying the views, we broke into smaller groups with Dale and Tom hiking ahead to look for any down trees between East Ridge Trail where we started and the Blooms Creek Campground (they found and removed three) while the remainder of the group slowly brushed their way back down the trail. We finished at 3:30 after a long day and steep hike.

The crews put in 97.5 hours thanks to Tom, Dale S., Dale P., Janie, Bill, Janette, Norm, Fran, Francis, Michelle, Peter, Mike, and me.  Great start of a new year and on our way to another 1000+ hour year.
See you on the trails.

Jeff


Low bird count with 4 Wild Turkeys at the Sempervirens Lodge at Little Basin being spotted by locals coming in from Boulder Creek, 2 Robins, and about 10 Varied Thrush.

Reports by Mike and Jeff
Photos by Jeff and Michelle

December 10 2011 - Tale of 3 Crews

Two weeks ago we had a wind storm with winds up to 50 mph and it took out the power in the Valley for up to 5 days with our power being out for 4 days.  So you would expect that there would be numerous reports on the big board, but there were only a few reports.  We had a great turn out for our last work day of 2011 with a total of 19 volunteers.  We decided to break up into three groups, I lead one back to the Shadowbrook slide to put up detour signs, Dale P. took a crew from HQ up STS towards the Connector on report of a 10" Oak with a whip saw, and Dale S. took a crew up to Sunset and Middleridge to take care of a slide on Sunset and to look at a report of two 4 foot redwoods down on STS.  So off we went.
Along Shadowbrook there was only a few small items to take care of with most being branches on the trail.  We placed the detour signs and decided to go back along East Ridge Trail.
On the downward side of East Ridge we came across a very large branch that sticking strait out of the ground.
The last thing we came across was an oak across Shadowbrook before the campground but had to leave it since we only had a small hand saw but after clearing around it before that was the end of the day.

The Dale S. group first cleared a small slide caused by a Douglas fir that had fell across Sunset Trail.  After that was cleared, they headed off to a couple 4 foot diameter trees across the STS trail.
Looking across a gully, we saw the two trees, and off to the right of them was the Dale P. group.
They were busy clearing the trail from their end, as a tree had come down there also. They were able to clear that tree from the trail.  As we came around the last turn to the trees, the trail didn't look too bad.  All the fun stuff was on the other side. The trail was covered with limbs from these three trees, all the way to where Dale P. group started, about 100 feet away and they couldn't see the other two trees because there was a turn in the trail just before them. 
After we cleared the trail, we tunneled under the two large trees so that hikers could safely pass by.

We ended the day with all the groups meeting up at HQ.  There was a Boy Scout Group out, well 3 adults and 1 Scout, a new member Travis, and most of the regulars Gene, Janette, Janie, Bill, Dale P., Josh, Francis, Tom, Dale S., Norm, Micheal, and me.  We racked up 120 hours for the day and 1045.5 hours for the year.  This is the second year we broke 1000 hours and the most since I've been keeping record in 2006.  Thanks to all.

Another thanks for Dell, Carol, and Jeannine for cooking and getting the food together for the afternoon get together.  It was a good turn out with 28 people showing up.  The big hits were the abalone and salmon cakes, the smoke chicken, and the pot roast (as usually).  It was a good time and a great way to end the year.

I would like to wish all of you a happy and safe holiday season and hope to see you next year as we keep our favorite Park's trails clear and safe.

See you on trails.

Jeff

A special thanks to Dale S. for photos and write up on there activities.

Here's the bird list for the day

4  Steller's Jays
7  Hermit Thrush
20 Varied Thrush (most along East Ridge)
2  Pacific Wren
6 Chestnut-backed Chickadee
1  Raven
1 Pygmy Nuthatch
4 Acorn Woodpeckers
2  Brown Creepers
2 Band-tailed Pigeon (Near the top of East Ridge)
4 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)
2  Townsend Warblers
1  Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1  Hairy Woodpecker




November 12 2011 - Shadow Brook


We were back in the park in the HQ area.  There was a report of a down tree on Shadow Brook Trail about 200 m east of the Schultz bridge at the Kirsch Trail.  It was there and not much of a problem.





 We took tools to take care of a slide but this was a total trail wash out, which required us to follow the detour through the tent cabins.

Lunch was at the bottom of Slippery Rock and along the way the mushrooms were springing up.  Some were even in decay from the October rains.
We did more brushing than clearing and completed the loop around Sequoia through the campgrounds back to the Kirsch trail.
I would like to thank the 13 volunteers who put in  85 hrs combined for a total of 926 hours for the year.  A good turn out for the party will put us over 1000 hrs for the second year in a row.  Hope to see you next month.

See you on the trails

Jeff