Yesterday I had the chance to ride with the guys from Rocky Mountain ATV. I first spoke with these guys when they approached the Forest Service this spring with an interest in the Adopt-A-Trail program. Since that first chat a few weeks ago, their group has cleared all trails of fallen trees in Payson canyon except for the few that our Forest Service crew took care of. In my 4 summers with the Forest Service, this is the most dedicated volunteer group I have worked with. These guys ride every Thursday and cover an incredible amount of trail. They have fashioned their bikes to hold pruners, shovels, picks and saws and are able to touch up trouble spots and move on in no time. The amount of time and money this work saves the Forest Service and our crew is enormous. At one point they were able to orient some lost hikers and offered their water and any other assistance they could. These guys represent my ultimate vision of what trails should be about. When trail users take ownership of their trails there is less vandalism, less irresponsible trail use, better signing, and more safety on the trail not to mention the money it saves in tax dollars. I have seen this happen with a number of trails such as the Bonneville Shoreline trail. When users take ownership in a trail, it improves greatly. Thanks to these guys for the work they do.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Rocky Mountain ATV & Co.
Yesterday I had the chance to ride with the guys from Rocky Mountain ATV. I first spoke with these guys when they approached the Forest Service this spring with an interest in the Adopt-A-Trail program. Since that first chat a few weeks ago, their group has cleared all trails of fallen trees in Payson canyon except for the few that our Forest Service crew took care of. In my 4 summers with the Forest Service, this is the most dedicated volunteer group I have worked with. These guys ride every Thursday and cover an incredible amount of trail. They have fashioned their bikes to hold pruners, shovels, picks and saws and are able to touch up trouble spots and move on in no time. The amount of time and money this work saves the Forest Service and our crew is enormous. At one point they were able to orient some lost hikers and offered their water and any other assistance they could. These guys represent my ultimate vision of what trails should be about. When trail users take ownership of their trails there is less vandalism, less irresponsible trail use, better signing, and more safety on the trail not to mention the money it saves in tax dollars. I have seen this happen with a number of trails such as the Bonneville Shoreline trail. When users take ownership in a trail, it improves greatly. Thanks to these guys for the work they do.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Bridge Project on R. Fork Salt Cr. trail
Cleaning out debris from the river to prevent future stream bank erosion.
Making a footing to support the center of the bridge at its weakest point. We fell this tree several weeks ago to build this crossing. The tree needed some realignment so we returned with block and tackle to pull it into place. The equipment turned out to be unsafe so we resorted to using logs as levers and were able to move the tree into place and onto the footing that way.
We made cuts like this the full length of the tree...
...then followed through with the pulasky and broke out the pieces.
One final pass with the saw to clean it up and this was the end result.
This texture from the cuts will provide some traction for hikers.
Spectacular rock wall looking down canyon. This trail has some awesome scenery.
Making a footing to support the center of the bridge at its weakest point. We fell this tree several weeks ago to build this crossing. The tree needed some realignment so we returned with block and tackle to pull it into place. The equipment turned out to be unsafe so we resorted to using logs as levers and were able to move the tree into place and onto the footing that way.
We made cuts like this the full length of the tree...
...then followed through with the pulasky and broke out the pieces.
One final pass with the saw to clean it up and this was the end result.
This texture from the cuts will provide some traction for hikers.
Spectacular rock wall looking down canyon. This trail has some awesome scenery.
Saw Training
Our crew has recently completed their S-212 chainsaw course. These photos show us putting those new skills to the test on the R. Fork Salt Cr. trail.
Boring into the tree to establish the condition of the inside of the tree.
Slope cut
Checking the gunning sight on the saw to establish the fall direction.
Straightening the gunning cut.
Completing the face cut.
Checking the face cut for Dutchmans.
Inspecting the face cut angle.
We were happy to have some additional help from the Fire crew.
Boring into the tree to establish the condition of the inside of the tree.
Slope cut
Checking the gunning sight on the saw to establish the fall direction.
Straightening the gunning cut.
Completing the face cut.
Checking the face cut for Dutchmans.
Inspecting the face cut angle.
We were happy to have some additional help from the Fire crew.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Logging, Brushing, Draining & Signing
Using the pole saw to limb branches for horsemen on Jones Ranch.
Rock Springs sign replacement. We have been installing these signs like crazy. Using the right mixture of rock and dirt we are able to get these signs in as solid as concrete.
After a day of sitting through training, the crew was anxious to get out and work...despite the rain.
If these signs can withstand his enthusiasm, they can probably withstand most anything.
This picture was taken the day I was away for Law Enforcement training. Not sure how they got their feelings hurt.
Tamping it in.
This sign is in Black Hawk campground. What a beautiful place to work.
We will order a new wooden sign to replace to old one here at the bottom of Jones Ranch.
One of our first signs this season at the top of Bear Canyon.
Before...
After...
These ones were 2 of about 12 on the trail to Red Lake
Hang up in R. Fork Salt Cr.
This tree in Wardsworth Canyon was reported by horsemen we spoke to at a trail head. Much of our work this year has been in response to reports by trail users. Thanks to all those who help us out this way.
A corduroy crossing that filled in with sediment and washed out on the Jones Ranch trail. There is a lot of work to do in this section of trail where erosion has been severe.
These birds were looking like their Mother hadn't returned for some time. Hopefully it works out for them.
Butterfly LZ
Nice place for a break on Schramm Creek trial.
4 of a kind during lunch break at Payson Lakes Guard Station
Rock Springs sign replacement. We have been installing these signs like crazy. Using the right mixture of rock and dirt we are able to get these signs in as solid as concrete.
After a day of sitting through training, the crew was anxious to get out and work...despite the rain.
If these signs can withstand his enthusiasm, they can probably withstand most anything.
This picture was taken the day I was away for Law Enforcement training. Not sure how they got their feelings hurt.
Tamping it in.
This sign is in Black Hawk campground. What a beautiful place to work.
We will order a new wooden sign to replace to old one here at the bottom of Jones Ranch.
One of our first signs this season at the top of Bear Canyon.
Before...
After...
These ones were 2 of about 12 on the trail to Red Lake
Hang up in R. Fork Salt Cr.
This tree in Wardsworth Canyon was reported by horsemen we spoke to at a trail head. Much of our work this year has been in response to reports by trail users. Thanks to all those who help us out this way.
A corduroy crossing that filled in with sediment and washed out on the Jones Ranch trail. There is a lot of work to do in this section of trail where erosion has been severe.
These birds were looking like their Mother hadn't returned for some time. Hopefully it works out for them.
Butterfly LZ
Nice place for a break on Schramm Creek trial.
4 of a kind during lunch break at Payson Lakes Guard Station
Forest Janitors
This camp was left abandoned just past the end of the pavement in Hobble Creek canyon. This site appears to draw rowdy groups. All signs in the area are shot up, numerous fire rings are present, all kinds of trash was scattered about, and the trees showed heavy abuse. In order to fit this couch into our truck, we first had to saw it in half. Our crew did a thorough job of cleaning up the site to make it usable for the next group.
We recovered this neat 1950's Kelvinator refrigerator in Mapleton Canyon.
In addition to large items like this couch and fridge, we are dedicated to picking up trash such as aluminum cans. We will recycle them at the end of the season. Many Forest users are dedicated to picking up trash on their outings. How many of these people will it take to offset the number who leave the trash behind?
We recovered this neat 1950's Kelvinator refrigerator in Mapleton Canyon.
In addition to large items like this couch and fridge, we are dedicated to picking up trash such as aluminum cans. We will recycle them at the end of the season. Many Forest users are dedicated to picking up trash on their outings. How many of these people will it take to offset the number who leave the trash behind?
Work like an Egyptian
Stream crossing in Wardsworth Canyon- Hobble Creek
After shot...
Learning from the Egyptians, we were able to move this heavy log down the trail and across the stream.
Using levers, we were able to move the log up onto footings.
(The title photo for this blog is the final shot of our work.)
After shot...
Learning from the Egyptians, we were able to move this heavy log down the trail and across the stream.
Using levers, we were able to move the log up onto footings.
(The title photo for this blog is the final shot of our work.)
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