Yesterday, Monday, July 11, 2022, the FOSM Trail Maintenance Crew hiked Gravel Pit and Rocky Point trails to remove previously reported fallen trees and to do other trail work as needed.

In addition to a poorly supported eight inch-diameter hung-up dead fir, the crew removed a "train wreck" consisting of three fallen trees of five, nine and seventeen inches in diameter that were completely blocking Gravel Pit trail, built a reroute around the base of a fallen fifteen inch diameter fallen fir and repaired a section of Rocky Point trail which had been damaged by the root ball of a fallen fifteen inch diameter dead fir. The crew also removed the broken top of an aspen that was suspended from its remaining trunk, thereby creating a hazard for passers-by. A twelve foot section of a five inch diameter "porcupine" dead fir, which had been moved to the top margin of Rocky Point trail, was removed to the downhill side as it had begun to slowly slide downhill.

While much of the day was dedicated to our usual work of removing problem trees, an almost equal amount was spent in the repair or reroute of the subject trails. The tail construction experience of some of our crew (thanks Jenny!) certainly came in handy on Monday. The day was clear, cool in the morning, but as usual this time of year, got warmer as the day progressed. The predicted rain showers did not occur during our hike. The effects of the recent rains were evident as, although perhaps a bit shorter than usual, the summer flowers have returned to the Sandias. The recent reroute of the north portion of Rocky Point going into the Ellis parking lot was a welcome improvement. This section, which winds through the forest, gave a welcome relief to the sun baked portion of the Kiwanis Meadow road which previously had to be traversed.