Ken O' Bonn

Saturday, October 31, 2020

Trail Work 2020

Trail work done in 2020 to date.

Summary Total 27 days. 91 hours trail work, 132 hours total including travel time.

Harris Creek Trail - 77 hours over 25 days. 102 hours with travel time.
Mt St Helens - 14 hours over 2 days. 30 hours with travel time.

Count Days	day	Work Hours	Location	Travel Hours
27	Sat, Oct 31	3	Harris Creek Trail	1
26	Sat, Oct 24	3	Harris Creek Trail	1
25	Thu, Oct 22	2	Harris Creek Trail	1
24	Tue, Oct 20	2	Harris Creek Trail	1
23	Sat, Oct 17	3	Harris Creek Trail	1
22	Sat, Oct 10	4	Harris Creek Trail	1
21	Tue, Oct 06	2	Harris Creek Trail	1
20	Tue, Sep 29	2	Harris Creek Trail	1
19	Sat, Sep 27	3	Harris Creek Trail	1
18	Tue, Sep 22	3	Harris Creek Trail	1
17	Mon, Sep 21	3	Harris Creek Trail	1
16	Thu, Aug 13	6	Harris Creek Trail	1
15	Fri, Jul 31	3	Harris Creek Trail	1
14	Sat, Jul 25	3	Harris Creek Trail	1
13	Fri, Jul 24	4	Harris Creek Trail	1
12	Tue, Jul 21	3	Harris Creek Trail	1
11	Fri, Jul 17	3	Harris Creek Trail	1
10	Wed, Jul 15	2	Harris Creek Trail	1
9	Mon, Jul 13	2	Harris Creek Trail	1
8	Sat, Jul 11	1	Harris Creek Trail	1
7	Sat, Jun 27	8	Mt St Helens	8
6	Sat, Jun 20	6	Mt St Helens	8
5	Sat, Jun 13	1	Harris Creek Trail	1
4	Sat, May 23	6	Harris Creek Trail	1
3	Sun, May 17	5	Harris Creek Trail	1
2	Fri, May 15	4	Harris Creek Trail	1
1	Sat, May 09	4	Harris Creek Trail	1

October 31, 2020, Saturday, 3 hours

https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10221541489880715

Harris Lake Trail. Redirected water flow from trail to prevent erosion.

October 24, 2020, Saturday, 3 hours

https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10221491654034850

Harris Creek Trail. Finished tangle of trees at top of climb out of Harris Creek, moved huge logs off the trail. Worked on the wet section between first and second climbs. Small improvement to the drainage but mostly removed dead trees that were clogging up that section.

October 22, 2020, Thursday, 2 hours

https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10221476620299016

Harris Creek Trail. Cut most of 3 large trees blocking the trail at top of climb out of Harris Creek. Worked till dark, had to ride 2 miles in the dark to finish the day.

October 20, 2020, Tuesday, 2 hours

https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10221461935051894

Harris Creek Trail. Cleared branches to 3 large trees blocking the trail. Only had loppers, today's work was to prep the trees for later when I return with a saw. Did a bunch more of fine tuning branches along the climb.

October 17, 2020, Saturday, 3 hours

https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10221447153522365

Harris Creek Trail. Fixed 150 feet of ditch coming out of Rock Creek. Fix included clearing brush that was covering the ditch then digging the ditch deeper to ensure water follows the ditch and off the trail. Added a new stepping stone to make the creek crossing easier and safer.

October 10, 2020, Saturday, 4 hours

https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10221389740287070

Harris Creek Trail. Fixed creek crossing at near side so water flows better and crossing is higher and with flat rocks. Far end of the crossing, I cut brush along embankment so you can walk downstream to safely get to the part where you climb out of the creek to continue along the trail.

October 06, 2020, Tuesday, 2 hours

https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10221361602103633

Harris Creek Trail. Loppers to clear Rock Creek so creek crossing can follow highest path to keep feet dry.

September 29, 2020, Tuesday, 2 hours

https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10221314971777904

Harris Creek Trail. Garbage duty. Picked up a bucket worth of garbage much broken glass and a barbeque. All work within a quarter mile of the trail head including the trail head itself. Looking good!

September 26, 2020, Saturday, 3 hours

https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10221292003963723

Harris Creek Trail. Erosion / drainage work with Ethan. We dug 5 channels across the trail just short of Harris Creek to drain standing water. Also a big puddle near the beginning of the trail. Worked in a heavy downpour, we were totally soaked and muddy!

September 22, 2020, Tuesday, 3 hours

https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10221264192748460

Harris Creek Trail. Cleared to Rock Creek, finishing touches with lopper and bow saw. Picked up trash along trail including targets, shell casings, and broken bottles. Filled half a bucket with trash.

September 21, 2020, Monday, 3 hours

https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10221257995753539

Harris Creek Trail - NF-9020 forest road approaching the trail head. 3 hours picking up shell casings, targets, and other trash at illegal shooting pit by the side of the road. Filled 4 buckets with trash plus large targets removed.

August 13, 2020, Thursday, 6 hours

https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220963870120582

Harris Creek Trail. Electric Hedge Trimmer only. Brush work on the climb after the junction to Carter Creek and before the junction to Hansen Ridge / Harris Lake trails. This was mostly alder trees, whereas previous days were mostly salmonberries / sticker bushes. Finished as the sun set, barely had any light on the return.

July 31, 2020, Friday, 3 hours
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220857517381830
Harris Creek Trail. Electric Hedge trimmer only. Brush work between the first and second climbs after Harris Creek. Mostly working the area near the wet spot where the water runs over the trail.

July 25, 2020, Saturday, 3 hours
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220806963078004
Brush work on the sea of green section just before Harris Creek.

July 24, 2020, Friday, 4 hours
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220800248470143
Harris Creek Trail. Electric Hedge trimmer only. Cleared most of the climb out of Harris Creek almost to the log that I cut on Tuesday. Used 3 batteries. This was a rather massive accomplishment as the climb was thoroughly overgrown and I cleared nearly the whole length of it on both sides.

July 21, 2020, Tuesday, 3 hours
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220776744762565
Harris Creek Trail. Electric pole saw and handheld pick / mattock. Removed very large log by cutting 8 inches with pole saw and parallel cuts 4 inches apart, then chipping away between, and repeating until I hit center. Removed the log from both sides of the trail, 2 very difficult cuts.

July 17, 2020, Friday, 3 hours
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220745424659582
Harris Creek Trail. Electric Hedge trimmer only. Cleared 3 sections of trail for overgrown brush, the biggest section was so overgrown you couldn't see the trail even when riding through it.

July 15, 2020, Wednesday, 2 hours
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220729479300958
Harris Creek Trail. Electric Hedge trimmer and steel rake. Cleared 2 sections of trail for overgrown brush.

July 13, 2020, Monday, 2 hours
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220712724642102
Sawed most of huge log on top of first climb out of Harris Creek. 2 hours on trail, using the electric pole saw and pick / mattock, but this requires a chain saw or clever cutouts with the pole saw.

July 11, 2020, Saturday, 1 hour
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220696659480483
Harris Creek Trail. 3 hours on the trail, but only counting 1 hour of trail work for the brush clearing on the steep section of the second climb. Loppers. This is an overgrown section on steep climb that takes you off balance due to the brush and steepness, cleared now.

June 27, 2020, Saturday, 8 hours
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220567788978801
Mount Saint Helens, NF-83 "Jeep" trail from Ape Canyon TH to Lower Smith Creek Trail.
4.5 miles cleared, entire trail down to Lower Smith. Cut many blowdown trees out of the way. Removed many branches impeding the way.

June 20, 2020, Saturday, 6 hours.
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220513610544374
Mount Saint Helens, Lower Smith Creek Trail. Rainy day, but cleared 1.2 miles of trail till the final washout prior to the red bridge across Muddy River.

June 13, 2020, Saturday, 1 hour.
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220440745562795
Harris Creek Trail head. I spent an hour cleaning up the trailhead, collecting spent shells, clothing, broken glass, and so on. I even removed a strange part to a car that was being used for target practice.

May 23, 2020, Saturday. 6 hours
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220255990384031
Harris Creek Trail cleared, 5 miles each way, from Alice Creek to junction of Hansen Ridge and Harris Lake trails. Electric pole saw and loppers to clear small trees.

May 17, 2020, Sunday. 5 hours.
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220192308552025
Clearing Harris Creek Trail. Pruning branches and sticker bushes with loppers, and small trees with bow saw. 3 miles in, to top of climb after Harris Creek.

May 15, 2020, Friday. 4 hours.
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220202160558319
Cleaning trailhead to Harris Creek trail. Picked up broken glass, shell casings, other garbage at trailhead. Also picked up trash in woods used for target practice as well as beginning of trail.

May 09, 2020, Saturday. 4 hours.
https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10220119630975131
Clearing Harris Creek Trail. Electric pole saw, bow saw, and loppers to remove small trees blocking the trail. Cleared to Rock Creek.

Much of this work is for Harris Creek Trail. To understand the relationship between Harris Creek Trail (NF-9020), Harris Lake Trail, and Hansen Ridge, see image below.

Sunday, July 29, 2018

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.

Saturday, July 28, 2018

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.