Yesterday, Monday, June 24, 2024, the FOSM Trails Maintenance Crew hiked 10K Trail South and Tree Spring trails to remove a previously reported large fallen tree on 10K and to do other trail maintenance work as needed. Crosscut saws and other hand tools were used for this work.

The first job involved removing a large (12 to 15 inches diameter) dead fir that had fallen over 10K South trail. After removal of a number of branches, two cuts were needed to move the large center section of the tree off the trail. The remaining even larger portion of the trunk located uphill of the trail was also removed in lieu of letting gravity do the job over time. A five-inch diameter fallen dead fir was also removed from 10K.

Work on Tree Spring trail consisted mainly in the removal of several dead oak trees, ranging in size from about two to five inches in diameter with branches that were hanging down into head space, particularly for someone on horseback, or were otherwise hazardous.

Some trimming and other minor trail maintenance was also done. It was a great day for a hike. Although it warmed up a bit as the day went on, overall the day was pleasantly cool and sunny. Evidence of the somewhat unusual spring rains in the Sandias shows in the robust growth of the native vegetation. The wildflower display is better than it has been in quite a while. The purple penstemon are flourishing, particularly along sections of Tree Spring trail, where there are so many that it almost looks like someone planted them there.

Yesterday's crew consisted of Rav Nicholson, Jeff Kokos, John Cooper, Jamey Browning, Ken Wilson, Susan Gregory, Bill Perkins, Phil Cromer and Bob Lowder.