The High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew
Discussion Board should return late 2010
Until that time, here are any trip descriptions as they become projects for 2010:
First FFM Project - Jimmie Jean Mine
September 6 - 14, 2010
The Jimmie Jean mine is located off Forest road 10S24 between the McKinley Grove and Ross Crossing within the headwaters of Bull Creek. The primary need at this site
is the demolition of the main cabin (photo) and the disposal of both the demolition debris and cabin contents. The wooden outhouse (photo) also needs to be demolished and the hole filled.
The main cabin is a wood-frame structure with wood siding and metal roof. It has a wood floor present on the inside of the structure (photo). The outhouse is also a wood structure
located near the cabin. This cabin was constructed between 30 and 40 years ago of rough sawn heavy timber, 2 x 4, 2 x 8,10,12s – 3 x 8, 10, 12. The plan is
we will deconstruct the building and salvage all the wood so it can be re-used for repairs to forest service and fire look outs. The wood will be transported by truck to our storage unit
in Clovis. This is the dream project for you folks that watch all the home improvement shows on TV.
Limited to 20 volunteers.
VTM Trip - Sequoia National Forest
June 23 - 27, 2010, Big Meadows Base Camp
The High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew is inviting all volunteers to join us for a trail maintenance event at Big Meadow Campground in the Sequoia National Forest on June 23 through June 27. Our campsite is located off the Generals Highway between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park at an elevation of 7,600 feet.
We will be removing brush and trees, repairing water bars and installing water diversion structures on the Rowell Meadow, Weaver Lake and Jennie Lake trails. If you don’t want to work on trails we can use your help in the kitchen morning and evening meals.
Please join us for the long weekend or just for a day. Many of the volunteers are using this event as an early summer getaway weekend for the family and a great way to escape the heat of the valley. This is a unique opportunity to visit two of our most beautiful National Parks, work with like minded people, be served delicious meals and do something positive for our forest.
VTM Backpack - Out of Kings Canyon National Park
June 18 - 27, 2010, Kanawyer Trail Backpack
STRENUOUS!
This event will be responsible for 11 miles of trail that has not had frequent maintenance.
Crews will walk to the work sites each day. Work will include clearing fallen trees, brushing, and general trail maintenance. This trail system has been reported to have over 200 trees in the lower section from the Deer Meadow intersection to Cedar Grove. We have special approval for use of Chain Saws in addition to cross cut saws. Special consideration will be given to volunteers with current certification in chain saw and cross cut saw use. However, volunteers are not limited to those with certification as we need volunteers to assist sawyers and perform trail maintenance duties.
Note: volunteers should consider the trails and work to be done as strenuous. Being physically fit and aware of the challenge of backcountry hiking is of the upmost importance.
We need two crews as follows:
Crew one (5 to 8 volunteers including a cook) will be based at a camp ground in Cedar Grove (Kings Canyon National Park) and will clear three miles of trail number 30E04 from the Kings River Byway towards the junction of trail number 30E05. All food will be provided.
Limited to 8 volunteers.
Crew two will be a backpack crew. The crew will have up to 15 volunteers including a cook. Primary goal is to clear trail number 30E04. Gear for the crew will be brought in by stock on trail number 30E05; you will only need a daypack to hike into the camp site. All food will be provided.
Limited to 15 volunteers.
VTM Trip - Sequoia National Forest
July 14 - 18, 2010, Quaking Aspen Base Camp
The High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew is inviting all volunteers to join us for a trail maintenance event at Quaking Aspen campground in the Sequoia National Forest on July 14 through 18. The campground is on Highway 190, 42 miles east of the junction of California Highway 65 and California Highway 190 at an elevation of 7000 feet. We will be conducting routine trail maintenance (brush removal, cleaning and repairing water diversion structures) and removal of fallen timber blocking the Summit Trail near our campground.
- Arrival is Wednesday July 14th
- Trail work begins Thursday July 15th and will continue through Saturday afternoon.
- Camp take down and return to our homes is Sunday July 18th.
- We have set a limit of volunteers for this event at 40.
- We will be looking for volunteers to help in food preparation and cooking – these volunteers will remain in camp. 6-8 volunteers are needed for this part of the project.
Please join us for the long weekend or just for a day. This is a favorite family event so bring your whole crew. There is work for all ages and plenty of time off to enjoy a beautiful part of the Sequoia National Forest. Quaking Aspen is near the scenic Freeman Redwood Grove and the Trail of 100 Giants as well as the Needles Fire Lookout Tower.
For additional information please contact Shane Krogen or Rick Chappell.
Volunteer Drivers Needed
The Trail Crew has a long standing relationship with a group from an Ohio seminary that comes to California each year to do a week of volunteer work. This year they have committed to three weeks of work for the High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew.
They will arrive for the first trip on Friday June 18th around 3 PM at our office in Clovis, CA. We are looking for volunteers that are willing to drive them to the Horse Corral pack station 8 miles farther down the same road past Big Meadows. We need to transport 17 of them, and the round trip drive will take about 4 hours so you will arrive back in Fresno around 8 to 9 PM.
We also need drivers to bring the same crew back to Fresno on Saturday morning June 26th. You will need to be at the pack station past Big Meadows around 10 AM and you should be back in Fresno by 2 PM that afternoon.
This same group will be coming back in late July and August, and we will be looking for drivers then also. We have links set up on our Trip Registration page for all of these Driver Events.
ERT Trips
The remaining ERT Trips for this year are being planned for in the Fall of 2010. As we get those dates and events finalized, we will post their information.