Results of 2019 SHIFT Work Party
There are always complications, but, overall, it turned out to be a great day. We are fortunate to have so many experienced crew chiefs and volunteers; it makes things go smoothly. No-shows, late arrivals, and unexpected problems are just a part of things. We had a good plan, and we were able to maximize our effort as a result.
One key difference this year was our ability to get machines to the work sites without loading them on bobs. This was possible because TransCascadia supplied eight collapsibles and GGR supplied two. Crew members were able to carry the pieces in their packs. This freed up the bobs to carry dirt tools. It made us much more efficient. All future machine purchases should take this into account.
Thanks to all of you for your efforts, with a special shout to the 10+ people who got up at 4 a.m. to make the drive up on the day of. It feels like we are making legit progress with connectivity and new options. We need to get the word out about the ride options at both Marble and Sheep.
Marble Mountain - The Pine Marten, Sasquatch, and Pine Creek trails all received maintenance. The Unnamed Trail, which runs from the Sasquatch to the Pine Creek Lahar and the Hunter/Hiker line that runs down to the 83 Road, were also cleaned. This means the line from Marble is nearly complete. The missing piece is the proposed line from the big lahar (east end of Pine Creek Trail) down to the 83 Road. This section has been flagged and received light limbing. The GPS has been submitted to the USFS for approval. After many years of planning and work, we are close to having a 7.5 mile line of interconnected pieces to provide an option for beginner and intermediate riders and to allow riders looking for bigger rides to park at Marble and incorporate Ape Canyon and/or Smith Creek.
Smith Creek - Douglas Johnson worked from the top of the north end down. Most of the focus was on working out from the bottom to the north. That crew - led by Jerry de Ruyter - reached the bottom of the big DH. They cut a significant corridor.
Sheep Canyon - This was the main focus of this year’s effort, and the results were fantastic. The five crews we had over there covered the entire loop, which totaled approximately 9 miles. Tread work was completed in numerous places, and we did a complete cut-out of grow-out. There is a small section of very thick bear grass at the top that did not get hit. Like the Marble line, this loop has been in the works for some time, so it is great to see it in play. A ride of the loop that starts and finishes at Red Rock would total 18 miles; a start and finish at Blue Lake would total about 12.
Looking to 2020
The following are just “possibilities” at this stage.
- Provided we have received approval for the proposed line by next August, put a crew on that line to handle the finishing touches. This would primarily include limbing and rock moving.
- We do not anticipate that work will need to be done on the Sheep loop in 2020. However, it wouldn’t hurt to send one or more crews with machines out to cut back the section from Blue Lake to the Huckleberry Saddle.
- Nancy is interested in a loop that includes the Toutle Trail and the Blue Lake Horse Trail. I have not been on this line for several years, but it is certainly worth looking at.
- It’s tough for our Ape Canyon build in June to address all the needs there. We could send one or more robust crews out to the north end of the Plains (the area from the five small ravines to the Lunch Log). Brushing is definitely needed here.
- Smith Creek is always a wild card. Based on the info I’ve received, it appears that only the scree DH needs work. I can check with Jerry to see if there is any interest in either riding out from the bottom or driving around to hit the DH.
Update on Smith Creek, Doug was able to make it all the way down to where Jerry’s crew stopped so the entire length was cut from the top of Smith Creek to the Knife Edge. Big kudos to Doug for doing all that work by himself!