Yesterday, Monday, November 15, 2021, the FOSM Trail Maintenance Crew hiked Rocky Point and Gravel Pit trails to do some pre-winter maintenance.

Winter snows always result in a change in the definition as to what constitutes a hazard or obstacle to users. Supported hang-ups or leaners that are easy to pass under in summer often become "head-bangers" when someone on skis or snowshoes on top of (hopefully) two or three feet of snow come by. Also, leaners and hang-ups that seem well supported in summer become a greater risk of collapse when weighted down with heavy snow. Lastly, it is much easier to take care of these possible problems wearing hiking boots rather than snowshoes. So out we went in late fall to do some preventive maintenance on two of the high-use Crest area trails. We will do Switchback and Buried Cable trails later.

By day's end, the crew had removed a total of thirty-three trees, ranging in size from two to seventeen inches in diameter, nineteen on Rocky Point and fourteen on Gravel Pit. It should be noted that while many of the trees removed were relatively large or in more complicated situations requiring careful analysis and planning, many, mostly those two to four inches in diameter were usually found to be quite rotten. When shaken to determine soundness most would often simply fall over with a simple push. For others in this size, a single cut was sufficient. At the other end of the spectrum, the multi-tree hang-up at the south end of Rocky Point took over an hour to remove.

It is our hope that this "pre-season" maintenance work will help provide a safe and enjoyable winter experience for those going out in the Crest area on cross country skis or snowshoes with minimal disruptions for fallen trees or otherwise dangerous obstacles to interfere.

Yesterday's crew consisted of Sim Cook, Sally Lowder, Jerry Pekarek, David McCreery, Jamey Browning, Bill Savage and Bob Lowder. Please see attached Word document for photos and additional narrative. All photos by Sally Lowder and Jamey Browning.