Ashley Kramer
Steve Bonowski
Here is Steve's detailed report for the now concluded season on Trail #600 (Squaretop Lakes Trail):
Number of field days: 4 (July 11, July 25, August 8, August 25. Sept. 17 was rained out and Sept. 24 was cancelled for personal reasons). My solo clean up field day was Sept. 22.
Volunteer hours and participants per trip:
July 11: 7 persons x 5 hours = 35 volunteer hours
July 25: 6 persons x 5 hours = 30 volunteer hours
August 8: 7 persons x 5 hours = 35 volunteer hours
August 22: 8 persons x 4 hours = 32 volunteer hours
Sept. 22: 1 person x 4 hours = 4 volunteer hours
NOTE: we generally began work shortly after 8 AM on the first two days. Days 3-4 required a 1 mile approach leaving at the same time, carrying tools. All days were rain shortened, especially the 22nd. We had parking places in the west lot on each crew day.
Total volunteer hours, from trailhead back to trailhead: 136 hours
Primary work done, not including general maintenance, as in the staircases:
16 water diversions cleaned out. 7 new water diversions constructed. 1 trail reroute accomplished within the corridor of a problem area. Check dams installed. Side routes closed off by rocks supported by short wooden stakes. The wooden steps to harden the short stretch of trail in this area; identified in the prior drawing; were not installed due to the Sept. 17 rainout. Those are bagged now and concealed in the willows near the upper new diversion.
We did not track public contacts. But I estimate that members of our crews made circa 20 contacts each day, mentioning that we were from the CMC and doing volunteer work for the US Forest Service. There was a lot of expressed gratitude. We also had the CMC sign for 3 of the 4 days.
Changes identified: removal of work done in 2025:
Two of the water diversions constructed in downhill sections of trail between the intermittent ponds and big willow areas had been removed and the trenches filled in. See photo IMG #70 showing construction of one of the diversions. We believe that at least this diversion is still needed to prevent formation of erosion gullies. A review with you is needed for next season.
Photo IMG #73 shows a trail closure from last season. There is now an obvious user created trail next to the rocked off trench. On Sept. 22, I placed several rocks at the upper end of this new trail, trying to block it off. Review again is needed due to the presence of the heavily used "sitting rocks" seen in the distance, which may make it difficult to keep regular rehab in place.
Looking forward to the 2027 season:
We will want to do the usual 4-5 field days. Up to 1 day will be needed for the usual maintenance from the start of the trail, to include the staircases, to the end of the boardwalk.
We are looking for CMC Leaders to help! If you are interested, please reach out to Steve Bonowski.
Add a comment
Log in to add comments.