We'll gang - we've adopted a trail with the SoCal TLCA chapter. Since we're both fairly small groups, Chris Heron and I decided it would be best if our two groups band together for this undertaking.
We had a great time with Greg Hoffman, the big cheese for the entire San Bernardino forest area. He rode with me and my son as I had a working odometer. We plotted by mileage all the items that needed work on 'our' trail 3N08. Trail itself is fairly easy. What Greg pointed out included areas where asshat 4wheelers and bikers had gone off approved trails where restoration/mitigation needed doing, illegal fire pits, trees/brush that needed clearing from the road sides, etc. There's a lot of work. Mark from the LA Trail Crew will be emailing me the maintenance plan that Greg wrote up during the tour of our trail. LA Trail Crew itself was looking for a trail with a little more challenge, but this trail will be great for us!
Closest maintained campground was Hanna Flats up out of Fawnskin, but there's a group campsite on a first come basis very near our trail. We and the SoCal TLCA chapter will get a trail marker with our logo on each end of the trail. More reason for me to get the stickers done!!!
Only things we did yesterday were to dismantle an illegal fire pit and restore the area as best we could. Shovels and a bucket for trash and glass I brought along came in very handy! We also found what appeared to be a hunting blind that we took apart.
For me, probably the best and most productive part of the trip was that Greg Hoffman had a perfect Eagle project for my son!!!!!
He has a restoration project out near the Cahon Pass that needs doing around the end of October/early November. Best part of the project is that the US Forest Service provides all the plants/saplings that need planting for the project. NO fund raiser needed as the USFS will be providing all the materials. All my son needs to do is arrange the manpower. I'll post this up as it doesn't make a difference whether it's fellow scouts or adults that help with the restoration project. All the man hours count!!! Your mileage will be deductible at the IRS rate of $.22/mile to and from the project as it's scout related.
It wasn't a very long day up there. Part of the LA Trail Crew had mechanical problems on the way up. We were all supposed to meet at the ranger station between 8:30 and 9:00, but didn't get started until about 10:00. We ran the entire trail, stopping at a small 'yellow stake' campground along the trail for lunch. The yellow stake campground was a small campground for 8 that is free and on a first come basis. This one had some VERY fresh scat from a bear!
Ranger pointed out an old chimney that loggers had built and an active limestone strip mine. We finished up about 3:00.
I think it would be great as either a day trip or a weekend to go up and I can show you the trail and the things noted. This WILL entail some work on our part, so I hope that's what you all are willing to do.
If I can make it on the 6th, are all of you willing to run this trail? Otherwise we can arrange another time and perhaps coordinate it with the SoCal TLCA guys. I'll post pics soon. Ben Crocket from the Toyota 4wd Drive magazine was there for a photo op and perhaps small article.
Ranger told us that nationwide there are over 3500 Adopt-a-Trail members that help the forest service keep trails maintained! I truely hope we can all add our hours to this! Mileage for this is all deductible as well!!!
Brent
We had a great time with Greg Hoffman, the big cheese for the entire San Bernardino forest area. He rode with me and my son as I had a working odometer. We plotted by mileage all the items that needed work on 'our' trail 3N08. Trail itself is fairly easy. What Greg pointed out included areas where asshat 4wheelers and bikers had gone off approved trails where restoration/mitigation needed doing, illegal fire pits, trees/brush that needed clearing from the road sides, etc. There's a lot of work. Mark from the LA Trail Crew will be emailing me the maintenance plan that Greg wrote up during the tour of our trail. LA Trail Crew itself was looking for a trail with a little more challenge, but this trail will be great for us!
Closest maintained campground was Hanna Flats up out of Fawnskin, but there's a group campsite on a first come basis very near our trail. We and the SoCal TLCA chapter will get a trail marker with our logo on each end of the trail. More reason for me to get the stickers done!!!
Only things we did yesterday were to dismantle an illegal fire pit and restore the area as best we could. Shovels and a bucket for trash and glass I brought along came in very handy! We also found what appeared to be a hunting blind that we took apart.
For me, probably the best and most productive part of the trip was that Greg Hoffman had a perfect Eagle project for my son!!!!!
He has a restoration project out near the Cahon Pass that needs doing around the end of October/early November. Best part of the project is that the US Forest Service provides all the plants/saplings that need planting for the project. NO fund raiser needed as the USFS will be providing all the materials. All my son needs to do is arrange the manpower. I'll post this up as it doesn't make a difference whether it's fellow scouts or adults that help with the restoration project. All the man hours count!!! Your mileage will be deductible at the IRS rate of $.22/mile to and from the project as it's scout related.It wasn't a very long day up there. Part of the LA Trail Crew had mechanical problems on the way up. We were all supposed to meet at the ranger station between 8:30 and 9:00, but didn't get started until about 10:00. We ran the entire trail, stopping at a small 'yellow stake' campground along the trail for lunch. The yellow stake campground was a small campground for 8 that is free and on a first come basis. This one had some VERY fresh scat from a bear!
Ranger pointed out an old chimney that loggers had built and an active limestone strip mine. We finished up about 3:00.
I think it would be great as either a day trip or a weekend to go up and I can show you the trail and the things noted. This WILL entail some work on our part, so I hope that's what you all are willing to do.
If I can make it on the 6th, are all of you willing to run this trail? Otherwise we can arrange another time and perhaps coordinate it with the SoCal TLCA guys. I'll post pics soon. Ben Crocket from the Toyota 4wd Drive magazine was there for a photo op and perhaps small article.
Ranger told us that nationwide there are over 3500 Adopt-a-Trail members that help the forest service keep trails maintained! I truely hope we can all add our hours to this! Mileage for this is all deductible as well!!!
Brent
this morning. A very nice fellow by the way. Hes probably enjoying today in Los Padres NF/Hungry Valley. Its great to meet another Mudder and fellow 80s member. 
