Post by toejam on Mar 19, 2016 7:42:41 GMT -8
I'm helping to organize a volunteer trail-clearing project in the San Rafael Wilderness. I've been wanting to do this for years because I think the 43-mile loop of the Manzana Creek and Sisquoc River Trails, which I refer to as the "Lower Sisquoc Loop," is the quintessential San Rafael Wilderness winter hike. It's the hike where the Adventure Lawyer had to be rescued by a helicopter.
We are trying to establish the route & clear 5 miles of trail from Sycamore Camp to Abel Canyon Camp in late May. It's gonna be hot and brutal, but the area is magical, and the people involved are some of the greatest human beings I know. Because this project is so remote and challenging, I'm not expecting many enthusiastic volunteers. If any of you are interested in heat and bleeding (ticks & poison oak possible) to spend time clearing one of my favorite trails, please sign up.
The route along the Sisquoc River is remote, historical, enchanting, and has a terrible trail. There was once a road accessing the homesteads up there, but little sign of that remains, and there are several places where those of us familiar with the area are unsure exactly where the trail should be. It would take most people 2 days to hike to our base camp. We are driving through locked gates on the crest of the Sierra Madre, and hiking 4 miles and 2800' down to Sycamore Camp on the Sisquoc River. Pack horses & mules will bring supplies and we will provide food. But you won't be able to bail out if you hate it.
It's posted on the Ventana Wilderness Aliance Volunteer Meetup. If you can't access that, it looks like this:
OVERVIEW:
We’ll be focused on clearing and re-establishing the rugged and remote Sisquoc River Trail. Specifically we’ll be working the trail downstream from Sycamore Camp to Abel Camp. Work will involve brushing, tread work and crosscut saws. We will be supported by pack stock that will bring down much of the gear and supplies from the trailhead to camp throughout the week.
This is a backpacking trip on a remote and rugged wilderness trail. Backpacking gear and experience are essential; trail work experience is not necessary. The Los Padres Forest Association will provide all meals for volunteers. Water is available from the Sisquoc River. Temperatures will be warm to hot during the day, cool at night. Ticks and poison oak are likely.
WHAT TO BRING:
Plan on bringing all the usual backpacking gear for an extended trip. In addition, you will need Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the trail workdays. PPE includes long pants, long sleeved shirts, sturdy boots, eye protection and gloves. LPFA will provide all meals, tools and hard hats. You’ll also want to bring a daypack for the workdays and extra personal snacks for the trail. Feel free to bring a favorite tool if you have one.
WHERE TO MEET:
Meeting specifics will be determined once there's a better idea on how many people are coming, where they are coming from and when they’ll be arriving. For now, contact: info@lpforest.org and we’ll get you on the list. Details and plans will be shared in the weeks leading up to the project.
Access to the work site is through locked Forest Service gates on the Sierra Madre Road, and hiking from Montgomery Potrero to the Sisquoc River on the Jackson Trail. Crews will be driving through the locked gates periodically during the project so volunteers can opt to work either weekend, one week including either weekend, or the whole project.
For more questions or to sign up, contact info@lpforest.org
I'm hiking the Lower Sisquoc Loop with the other organizer next week and will post pictures. You can message me with questions.
We are trying to establish the route & clear 5 miles of trail from Sycamore Camp to Abel Canyon Camp in late May. It's gonna be hot and brutal, but the area is magical, and the people involved are some of the greatest human beings I know. Because this project is so remote and challenging, I'm not expecting many enthusiastic volunteers. If any of you are interested in heat and bleeding (ticks & poison oak possible) to spend time clearing one of my favorite trails, please sign up.
The route along the Sisquoc River is remote, historical, enchanting, and has a terrible trail. There was once a road accessing the homesteads up there, but little sign of that remains, and there are several places where those of us familiar with the area are unsure exactly where the trail should be. It would take most people 2 days to hike to our base camp. We are driving through locked gates on the crest of the Sierra Madre, and hiking 4 miles and 2800' down to Sycamore Camp on the Sisquoc River. Pack horses & mules will bring supplies and we will provide food. But you won't be able to bail out if you hate it.
It's posted on the Ventana Wilderness Aliance Volunteer Meetup. If you can't access that, it looks like this:
OVERVIEW:
We’ll be focused on clearing and re-establishing the rugged and remote Sisquoc River Trail. Specifically we’ll be working the trail downstream from Sycamore Camp to Abel Camp. Work will involve brushing, tread work and crosscut saws. We will be supported by pack stock that will bring down much of the gear and supplies from the trailhead to camp throughout the week.
This is a backpacking trip on a remote and rugged wilderness trail. Backpacking gear and experience are essential; trail work experience is not necessary. The Los Padres Forest Association will provide all meals for volunteers. Water is available from the Sisquoc River. Temperatures will be warm to hot during the day, cool at night. Ticks and poison oak are likely.
WHAT TO BRING:
Plan on bringing all the usual backpacking gear for an extended trip. In addition, you will need Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the trail workdays. PPE includes long pants, long sleeved shirts, sturdy boots, eye protection and gloves. LPFA will provide all meals, tools and hard hats. You’ll also want to bring a daypack for the workdays and extra personal snacks for the trail. Feel free to bring a favorite tool if you have one.
WHERE TO MEET:
Meeting specifics will be determined once there's a better idea on how many people are coming, where they are coming from and when they’ll be arriving. For now, contact: info@lpforest.org and we’ll get you on the list. Details and plans will be shared in the weeks leading up to the project.
Access to the work site is through locked Forest Service gates on the Sierra Madre Road, and hiking from Montgomery Potrero to the Sisquoc River on the Jackson Trail. Crews will be driving through the locked gates periodically during the project so volunteers can opt to work either weekend, one week including either weekend, or the whole project.
For more questions or to sign up, contact info@lpforest.org
I'm hiking the Lower Sisquoc Loop with the other organizer next week and will post pictures. You can message me with questions.
