VWA Trail Crew
| Date: | February 14-16, 2004 |
| Trail: | Black Cone Trail |
| Volunteers: | 6 |
| Volunteer Hours: | 30 |
On February 14 through 16, 2004, six members of the volunteer VWA Trail Crew hiked out to the Black Cone Trail from China Camp, and spent a combined 30 hours clipping back brush on the Black Cone Trail. The group met in Jamesburg and shuttled up to China Camp, with an extra car shuttle from the top of Chews' Ridge down to Tassajara to leave a vehicle for two members of the crew. The Pine Ridge Trail was obstructed by brush and deadfalls almost from the beginning, posing a serious obstacle to backpackers intent on making good time on the trail.
Just after our group arrived at China Camp, a Robert Louis Stevenson School caravan of Wilderness Crew members arrived. We enjoyed their company on the trail before the Divide, where we went ahead to the Pine Ridge Camp and they turned off to Pine Valley.
After our long day on the trail, we enjoyed a relaxing evening on Pine Ridge. The camp easily accommodated our small group. As is usual, a diverse variety of backcountry gear (tents, stoves, etc.) was utilized in camp. We found an abandoned metal job box made a good tabletop for cooking, then built a fire to get warm and dry out.
We headed out the Black Cone Trail on Sunday morning. We used a little stove fuel to erase the "no water" notation that had been added to the copper sign at the junction of the Pine Ridge Trail, Black Cone Trail, and the Bear Basin Trail. Several members of our group clipped as they hiked, and some of us continued straight to Venturi Camp to base camp prior to working in the afternoon. After an early lunch, we worked on brushing out the trail just down from the camp. Rich and Tamara left the group and continued on to Strawberry Valley, to perform brushwork along the entire Black Cone Trail and return to the vehicle they'd left at Tassajara.
We planned to work on Monday, but a steady rain that began before dawn changed our minds. The steady drizzling rain was accompanied by strong, gusty winds, and we exited the wilderness at a good pace, motivated by the knowledge that Tassajara Road can quickly become impassable after a rain. We were relieved to finally arrive at China Camp, and make our way back to Jamesburg without incident.
Even though the Stevenson Wilderness crews have worked on the Pine Ridge Trail in the past, there still remain major obstacles including snags and head high stretches of smooth-leafed ceanothus. A major effort to be led by Mark Maslow is planned for the Pine Ridge Trail in late April 2004. Please join this crew if you are available.
Betsy prepares macaroni and cheese, while Molly looks on with interest. |
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Wet socks roasting by an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at my nose. |
Morning on Pine Ridge. Molly surveys the Ventana backcountry. |
Mark offers expert guidance on trail clearing. The Ventana is visible on the ridgeline in the distance. |
After clearing. |
Mark, Betsy, and Mike take a moment to pose with their loppers. |
Mark and Mike play "Duelling Loppers" |
