Trail Work 2018

This is a short summary of trail work I've been doing in 2018. "Old Olallie" here is the trail from exit 38, take a right a mile past Olallie State Park, continue 2.8 miles past McLellan Butte midway TH to the end.

Count Days	day	hours	Location	Travel Time
10	Saturday July 28	6 hours	Old Olallie	1 hour
9	Wednesday July 18	3 hours	Old Olallie	1 hour
8	Sunday July 15	5 hours	Old Olallie	1 hour
7	Saturday July 14	4 hours + 4 hours from Shawna	Old Olallie	1 hour
6	Wednesday July 11	3 hours	Old Olallie	1 hour
5	Sunday July 08	4 hours	Old Olallie	1 hour
4	Sunday June 24	6 hours	Mt St Helens	8 hours
3	Sunday June 17	4 hours	Old Olallie	1 hour
2	Saturday June 02	3 hours + 3 hours from Shawna	Old Olallie	1 hour
1	Wednesday May 30	3 hours	Old Olallie	1 hour

Summary Totals:

• Old Olallie - 35 hours over 9 days. 44 hours with travel time.
• Mt St Helens - 6 hours over 1 day. 14 hours with travel time.
• Old Olallie (Shawna) - 7 hours over 2 days. 9 hours with travel time.

Plan to take a break Aug 05 for a few weeks for other pursuits.

• Saturday July 28 --> 6 hours. Old Olallie.

I did 6 hours of trail work at same place today. The first 2 hours was to finish the section before the steep climb, so that it is rideable to the 3rd creek crossing (Harris Creek I think it's called). The last 4 hours was clearing the steep climb from the creek. I almost got that done, it's rideable except for 3 trees and some debris near the top (note, much more climbing and other clearing necessary, I'm only talking about the first steep climb).
6 hours in 89 degree weather is about my limit. I weighed myself when I got home, 4 pounds lighter even though I pre-hydrated and took lots of water and finished it all. I had to throw out my tuna sandwich, not sure why I packed that to begin with, it was gross by the time I was ready for lunch. Since I tear up my legs every time with sticker bushes, I lubed up with triple-antibiotic ointment prior to the work, that proved useful as I got another round of fresh cuts - I know I should wear long pants, but it's summer.

• Wed July 18 --> 3 hours. Old Olallie.

Today I got 3 hours more trailwork on same trail as before. I took only loppers for delimbing branches prior to tree removal. The 3rd creek crossing prior to steep trail is pretty washed out. Then the steep trail after that has many small branches but a small saw and dragging it out can clear it up. At the top of the steep climb it flattens out prior to more climbing, here I stopped because it is so overgrown you can't see the trail. I cleared it till the cows came home, at least now you can see the trail in that section. Tools of choice would be loppers and a brush cutter.
I definitely won't complete this month due to other commitments. Rough estimate, I'm only halfway to the 3-way intersection to Hansen Ridge and Harris Lake and it's looking like it's not getting easier.

3rd creek crossing, just prior to the steep climb. Very much eroded since last time I was here.

Top of the first steep climb after the creek crossing. Soon there are a few small trees still in the way, but the big problem is brush that needs loppers and / or a brushcutter.

The trail is to the right but you can't see it with all the trees in the way. I cleared this after taking the photo so now you can see the trail.

• Sunday July 15 --> 5 hours. Old Olallie

Today was yet another day of trail work at same trail as yesterday. As yesterday, type of work was just a few trees but mostly clearing branches from trail as there are so many it's actually a lot of small stuff that will stop a bike and put a stick in your wheel or derailleur and generally not fun considering nearby options for rideable trails. I'm making progress and planning to return a few more times, but a few summer events will be splitting my time.

• Saturday July 14 --> 4 hours+4 hours from Shawna. Old Olallie.

Shawna and I continued the trail work today on the trail from exit 38 (old olallie) to Harris Lake. Lot of branches embedded in brushes, kind of a nightmare section fixed whereas previously attempts to push bike through it would land you a stick in the spokes. Much work left, thanks Shawna for the help and a fun day on the trail.

 

• Wednesday July 11 --> 3 hours. Old Olallie

Gratuitous before / after of one of the messes I cleaned up last night. 3 hours after work, means I finished just as darkness was happening. Second time I've seen fresh bear scat on the trail so I know I'm not alone. I seem to have a handle on the tree clearing several more days left and likely returning this weekend , but definitely need help on the brush clearing as that is out of control.

• Sunday July 08 --> 4 hours. Old Olallie.

Continuing trail work on the trail from Olallie to Harris Lake. Today I used 24 inch bow saw and loppers. It really needs a chainsaw and tractor with attachment for weeds. 4 hours of fun by myself, about 15 mid sized trees and prep work for 6 more by removing the debris from fallen trees. The trail is rapidly getting overgrown as summer progresses, could use an army of people with weed whackers. A couple pics of today's handiwork below in before / after pics. No end in sight.

• Sunday June 24 --> 6 hours. Mt St Helens

I had a fine day of trail work at Mt St Helens with David and Andrew. Clearing trail with loppers and saw.
Don't ask what the mystery object is in the After/Before pic below, amateur photographer at work.

• Sunday June 17 --> 4 hours. Old Olallie.

I continued work today, 4 hours, clearing trails from Olallie / exit 38 towards Harris Lake. Did finishing touches to the lead in to the creek and started the climb from the creek to the lake. I used pole saw with 8 inch blade which was a challenge as most trees I cut were 8-10 inch diameter - broke every safety rule. It will take a few more days to complete this, and could use a weed whacker especially on the climb.

• Saturday June 02 --> 3 hours + 3 hours Shawna. Old Olallie.

Shawna and I cleared trail for 4 hours each. Pole saw and lopper work. We reached as far as the second creek to make it passable but needs a few more cuts.

• Wednesday May 30 --> 3 hours. Old Olallie.

I was chatting with a couple friends yesterday about an old favorite fireroad climb from Olallie (area) to Hansen Ridge, just off exit 38. A couple years back I posted photos of it being blocked by downed trees, basically abandoned.
So... I returned to it today with bow saw and loppers and my Ellsworth. The trees I earlier posted blocking the trail have been removed. But, the trail is overgrown, and continuing further even more blowdown blocking the trail. I removed around 15 small trees, and even then did not reach the creek crossing at the base of the climb. I'll be back, hate to let another summer go by without riding this to Harris Lake.



Mount Saint Helens - Ape Canyon TH

DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD

• From Snoqualmie, take Hwy 18 South for 28 miles.


• Take I-5 South for 120 miles.


• Take exit 21 to get on Hwy 503 towards Woodland / Cougar.


• Follow Hwy 503 / Lewis River Rd for 28 miles to town of Cougar. (so far, this should take 3hr 20 minutes, distance so far is 180 miles).


• Past Cougar, Hwy 503 / Lewis River Rd becomes FS Rd#90.


• Turn left on FS Rd#83 and follow to end.


• Ape Creek TH and Lava Canyon TH are separate paved spurs at the end of FR-83. You want to bear onto the spur that goes left to find the (signed) trail entrance.

This takes 1.5-2 hr drive time from I-5, but expected 4 hrs total from Snoqualmie.

TRAILS TO RIDE {IN THE VICINITY}
Butte Camp
Siouxsian Creek
Falls Creek
Lewis River

GENERAL INFO

• The Smith Creek abandoned jeep road exits between Lava Canyon and Ape Canyon trailheads.


• The road to bottom of Smith Creek is driveable, for those who wish to bail on the boring climb out of Smith Creek up to Ape Canyon.


• Ape Canyon does not have facilities, but a couple hundred yards away, the Lava Canyon trailhead has two stinky outhouses. Otherwise Marble Mt Snow Park also has outhouses a few miles before the trailhead.


• NW Forest Pass is required.


• Along the way, stop by at visitor center and sign the guest list!!! Funding for trails and organizations are dependent on visitors and this is one way that they keep track.


• I always patronize the local establishments, they need our revenue to stay vibrant! Favorites are the Cougar Bar and Grill and the Lone Fir restaurant.