[pct-l] Trail Gorilla Work near PCT/Kern Plateau

[kmurray at pol.net (kmurray@pol.net)]

Some may know that I am a volunteer wilderness Ranger.  I also do a lot of
trail work with the High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew (www.trailcrew.org).

This Sept, we will be doing a tree cutting project on the Inyo national
Forest, from Big Whitney Meadow to Little Whitney Meadow.  This trail has
not been maintained in many years, and we are coming in to cut the trees
that have fallen, to make it passable.  Note that the Wilderness Manager
for the Inyo will be on this trip....a great opportunity to have input!
We usually are done working by 2pm, and take a day or two off for nearby
exploration (or rest!)
Here is my trip write-up:

This is another great trip with the High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew.  FREE

This is the first trip we've done on the Inyo National Forest, and should
be a great one.  We have only one mission:  tree cutting.  No, not felling
them, but cutting trees that have fallen across the trail, and as we will
be in wilderness, we will not be able to use chainsaws, but rather,
2-person old fashioned buck saws, an old and fun way to do it involving
considerable skill.  Each saw team will be led by a USFS certified Sawyer,
and the Wilderness Manager for  the Inyo National Forest, Caulder Reed,
will be along on the trip working with us.  A superb chance to talk to a
Inyo Forest decision maker.

We provide all the tools and safety gear, a cook, and all the food,
brought in by mules.  We expect to have the stock carry in the sleeping
bags, tents and pads, so it is a light hike in and out.

The trip will start on the East Side of the Sierra, at the Cottonwood Pass
Trailhead, about 25 miles out of Lone Pine, south of Whitney.

The trail segment to be worked will be between Big Whitney Meadow, west
southwest to Little Whitney Meadow, about eight miles of trail to work.
Apparently, this segment has not been worked for a decade, and there is a
huge amount of treefall present.

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=11&n=4030897&e=383464&s=100&size=l&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25

Altitude will be an issue, and so, obviously is conditioning.  The hike in
is about 10 miles, but after the first 2-1/2 miles, is all downhill.  The
high point is Cottonwood Pass a bit over 11,000 feet.

We'll arrive friday, Sept 16th, at the trailhead where we'll sleep to
acclimatize, then leave the next morning to the camp.  Work will start the
next morning after breakfast. (The exact days may shift a day or so later,
depending upon packer support) We will exit Sunday, Sept 25, or perhaps a
day earlier.

You need to be an experienced backpacker, though you need not be an
expert.  You will be covered by USFS insurance, in the unlikely event of
an accident.

I will be the crew leader and trip director.
You can sign up and find more information at
www.trailcrew.org
Or contact me.