Yesterday, Monday, September 30, 2019, the FOSM Trails Maintenance Crew hiked all of the Crest area trails to assure that they were clear and safe to use prior to the usual heavy use during the annual balloon fiesta. Trails hiked were Switchback, Buried Cable, Crest trail 130 between the Crest and Tram, Trail #93 (Kiwanis Cabin connector trail), Gravel Pit, Rocky Point and the nature trails. Due to the number of volunteers, it was possible for the crew to divide into two teams to expedite the work.

The crew removed a fallen 14" diameter dead aspen from 130 just north of its junction with the top of Lower Switchback trail, a broken tree top from Trail #93 and a fallen 4" diameter "porcupine" tree top adjacent to Rocky Point trail. Minor pruning of protruding brush was done as needed. As of mid-day yesterday, all the above listed trails were clear. The day was cool and clear with a moderate breeze. The fall colors are becoming more apparent but are still far from their peak.

Yesterday's crew consisted of Cliff Giles, Rav Nicholson, Sim Cook, Byron Garner, Jerry Pekarek, Jim Levesque, Bill Savage and Bob Lowder.