Hello Everyone:

Today, September 11, 2023, the FOSM Trail Maintenance Crew hiked a portion of Crest Trail 130 South and then Upper Switchback Trail to remove two previously reported fallen trees. The tree on 130 South was a dead six-inch diameter fir that fell across the trail toward the uphill side and created a large root ball hole on the lower margin. The second tree was the lowest one of a group of three dead fallen trees looming over  Upper Switchback below the Buried Cable junction. Both of these trees were removed. This work was actually a “Plan B” as the intended project was to remove the tree that had fallen over Survey trail out near its north end. However, after looking north of the Crest Highway on the way up and seeing nothing but dark purple clouds with obvious rain falling out of them, it was easy to decide that hiking in the opposite direction was a better idea. The sky remained mostly cloudy during our work, but the sun made an occasional appearance. There were on and off rain showers but not enough to get one seriously wet. (You know – the type of showers that stop just the minute you reach into your pack to get your rain jacket…) There was a decent shower during our lunch break at Doc Long. It was the type of soft rain without lightning and thunder that locals here often refer to as the “State Fair Rain”. It was nice to hike again without kicking up a dust cloud. Coming down from the from the Crest, the vehicle thermometer displayed 46 degrees, a welcome change from the recent heat wave.

Today’s crew consisted of Jerry Pekarek, Cleve Sharp, Ken Wilson, Rene Archer, Silke Bletzer, Bill Perkins, John Cooper and Bob Lowder.

Please see attached Word document for photos and additional narrative. All photos by Silke Bletzer.

Thanks,

Bob L.