Hello Everyone:

Today, Monday, August 7, 2023, the FOSM Trails Maintenance Crew hiked the Crest Spur Trail to remove a previously reported rockfall that was blocking the trail just above the concrete stairway. The rockfall was discovered last weekend by a rock climber, Anna Brown,  who sent an email and photo to Russell Berman on July 31st. He then forwarded the information to me. He suggested that it might be a good project for the Monday crew, and it was. We took  just about every type of hand tool available in the FOSM Guard Station for this job and pretty much used them all. The work went well and was done in less time than anticipated. In the past week hikers had removed a small amount of fallen rock, but there was still plenty left for us  to deal with. Of course the large boulders were still right where they fell. There is a steep drop-off to the lower side of the trail at that location, so the rocks could be moved off in that direction. Due to the size of the crew and a carefully coordinated effort, the work was done in about an hour. The skies were mostly cloudy with an occasional brief misty shower and a (mostly) light breeze to keep things comfortably cool. We did not hike the Tram side of the Spur Trail, but can report that it is clear from the Crest to the bottom of the stairway.

Today’s crew consisted of Byron Garner, Michael Arndt, Dan Benton, Rene Archer, Patrick Goschke, Jamey Browning, John Cooper, Silke Bletzer and Bob Lowder.

Please see attached Word document for photos and additional narrative. Photos by Anna Brown, Silke Bletzer, Rene Archer, Jamey Browning and Bob Lowder.

Thanks,

Bob L.