Monday, December 26, 2022

Trail Work 2022

 Trail work done in 2022. I was one of the Evergreen Volunteers of the Year.

Summary Total 41 days. 115 hours trail work, 158 hours total including travel time.

The Harris Creek trail is composed of 3 trails linked together as below, located in North Bend, WA.

Count DaysDayWork HoursLocationTravel HoursType
41Mon, Dec 262Raging River1trees
40Sun, Dec 253Raging River1trees
39Sat, Nov 262Raging River1trees
38Sat, Nov 052Raging River1trees
38Sat, Nov 05N/AHarris Lake TrailN/Arecon
37Sat, Oct 294Harris Lake Trail1brush
36Fri, Oct 282Harris Creek Trail1trash
35Sat, Oct 014Harris Creek / Harris Lake Trails1trees, brush
34Wed, Sep 282Harris Creek Trail1trash
33Sat, Sep 243Harris Creek Trail1trash
32Thu, Sep 222Harris Creek Trail1trash
31Wed, Sep 142Harris Creek Trail1trash
N/ATue, Aug 30N/AHarris Creek TrailN/Atrash
30Sun, Aug 283Harris Creek Trail1brush, trash
29Sat, Aug 273NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail1trash
28Tue, Aug 161NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail1trash
27Sat, Aug 133NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail1trash
26Fri, Aug 121NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail1trash
25Thu, Aug 112NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail1trash
24Wed, Jul 203NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail1trash
23Tue, Jul 193Harris Creek Trail1brush
22Sat, Jul 165Harris Creek Trail1brush, trash
21Sun, Jul 104Harris Creek Trail1brush
20Sat, Jul 092Hansen Ridge2brush
19Sat, Jun 252Harris Creek Trail / Hansen Ridge2brush, trash
18Thu, Jun 231Harris Creek Trail1trash
17Sun, Jun 191Harris Creek Trail1trash
16Sat, Jun 184Harris Creek Trail1brush, trash
15Wed, Jun 153Harris Creek Trail1trees, trash
14Sat, Jun 114Harris Creek Trail1brush
13Wed, Jun 081Harris Creek Trail1creek crossing
12Sat, Jun 045Harris Creek Trail1brush
11Mon, May 304Harris Creek Trail1brush, trash
10Sat, May 285Harris Creek Trail1trees
9Fri, May 273Harris Creek Trail1trees, trash
8Sat, May 213Harris Creek Trail1trees
7Sat, May 142NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail1trash
6Thu, May 122NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail1trash
5Tue, May 102NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail1trash
4Sun, Apr 24
5
NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail
1
trash
3Sat, Apr 235NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail1trash
2Sat, Apr 094NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail1trash
1Fri, Apr 08
1
NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail
1
trash

Mon, Dec 26 2 hours
Upward Mobility-2 and Upper Flow State. Mostly small trees for clearing. I went up UM-2 and back, then early section of Upper Flow State till I ran into Jenny who told me the remainder of the trail is cleared. My electric pole saw seems to have burnt out the motor, so todays work was with the Silky Big Boy handsaw.

Clearing trees at Raging River on Upward Mobility #1 and Lower Flow State. Both trails I completely cleared of downed trees, 10 on UM-1 and 3 on LFS. I also removed a lot of incidental branches along the way. This time I just hiked in because both trails were adjacent to the trail head. Most trees were cut with my pole saw, but the last 4 ones by hand with my Silky Big Boy because I exhausted both batteries.

Raging River. I cleared a couple trees at the beginning of Upward Mobility #1 trail. I then did a sweep to the closed section at Raging River #3 before turning back due to heavy wet snow.

Raging River. Removed a couple trees along the Raging River #4 trail.

Harris Lake Trail. Battled cold temperatures, hail, and rain. Only to find out that the culvert at Alice Creek washed out, so trail is not passable today. On return, spoke with ranger for long time about problems facing this trail, but he's not going to change anything to help.

I took the eBike 5.2 miles to Harris Lake trail. I did brushwork with loppers for extremely overgrown trail to the point where you couldn't see the trail and, in some cases, it would stop the bike. Threw the brush debris off the trail.

Note: The distance to this work site was 5.2 miles with cumulative elevation gain of 1,940 feet. Trailhead elevation is 2,240 feet, work site at Harris Lake trail is 3,450 feet. No snow in sight today, but these numbers will be important later in the season to reference weather reports.

I picked up 341 rifle shells and broken glass at the Harris Creek trailhead. The broken glass was embedded in the soil all throughout the trailhead so took much effort to remove.

Harris Creek trail. Removed tree by side of trail as it was a hazard. Cleared alder brush in 2 sections just prior to and just after the three-way intersection to Harris Lake trail.

Removed the Land Rover tire final half mile to the trailhead, then took it home for later recycling. Picked up 106 more bullet casings from the Harris Creek trailhead, mostly from 22, including a dozen unspent bullets.

I recovered a Land Rover tire 200 feet down a scree field, then rolled it 1.1 miles down the trail towards the trailhead. Need to take it 0.5 mile further though, another day this was hard work. Picked up trash from the forest road, filled 2 pails plus some metal from destroyed signs for recycling.

Removed 255 shell casings and much tiny fragments of broken glass from the first quarter mile at Harris Creek Trail. Removed destroyed equipment from highway work from the NF-9020 forest service road.

Cleaned trailhead to Harris Creek. Removed 152 shell casings and remnants of explosive targets. Removed trash at trailhead as well as primitive campground a quarter mile from the trailhead.

Actually 1 hour, but not counting it due to failure to achieve objective. Attempted to remove lug nut from tire discarded in woods, but socket got stuck. Attempted to remove metal parts of a barbeque, but bucket used to carry it broke. Illegal shooting by 3 people at end of day, they refused to stop, and trailhead was littered with hundreds of shells from them, trailhead was perfect shape a couple hours prior, as I started the effort.

Lopper work to remove brush at Harris Creek trail. Also, removed a tire from the trailhead for recycling.

Removed metal waste deep in the trail down a scree field. Picked up 55 shell casings and half pail of garbage from the trailhead to Harris Creek. Dismantled bed springs and removed metal from NF-9020 road.

Environmental cleanup at Harris Creek trail. Hauled more of the barbeque parts from 1.6 miles down the trail. Picked up 193 casings from 9 mm handgun from people who were illegally shooting at the trailhead.

Environmental cleanup at Harris Creek Trail. Removed part of barbeque from steep scree field 1.6 miles down the trail. Cleaned up trash plus 500 shotgun shells from illegal shooting pit.

Worked with WA-Dept of Ecology to haul 55-gallon drum a quarter mile down the trail to the trailhead. This was to stage it for later removal, and it was removed next day by them.

More Environmental cleanup at Harris Creek trail. Cleared trail in vicinity of Hazardous waste drum to aid in removing it shortly. Picked up 2,500 shotgun shells from illegal shooting pit and disposed of it.

Environmental cleanup at Harris Creek. (1) Assessed car parts in scree field. (2) Assessed 55-gallon drum of hazardous waste. (3) Picked up bucket of trash along NF-9020 road. (4) Dismantled burnt bed by side of NF-9020 and disposed of half of it.

Harris Creek with lopper for alder trees. Cleared the section at the beginning of the second climb, to midway through it.

Loppers to get thick alder trees to the ground. I worked from the flat section after the first climb out of Harris Creek, to the beginning of the second climb.

I was doing brush work today at Harris Creek, with loppers for alder trees. I completed the first climb out of Harris Creek, then I dealt with pretty fearsome overgrowth of alders on the flat section between the first and second climbs. In some sections, it was just not possible to bike through, you'd have to push, and the trees would be pushing back. I got a ton of work done today, lot of alder tree overgrowth higher up. Both creek crossings can be done with dry feet now.

Hansen Ridge. Minor removal of small trees and brush on the trail. Some minor rock work to adjust for a small rockslide that blocked trail.

First Harris Creek to pick up trash. Later, I went to Hansen Ridge and lopped brush on the spur road 5510-510 see link below for this seldom used trail.

Picked up shot up pumpkin from trailhead as that can be food for bears. Spent much time picking up broken glass that was shot into Corona bottles by a stump at the trailhead. Picked up 256 shell casings, mostly from 22 bullets.

Did not intend to do just trash cleanup, but something halted the trail work, so I reverted to the trail head. I cleaned up trash at the trailhead, 56 more shell casings and a moderate amount of trash. Trail head was not as bad as expected, and I wrapped it up in an hour.

Loppers for removing tree branches and thick brush at Harris Creek trail. Work done was just past the Harris Creek crossing, on the first climb out of it.

At the trailhead to Harris Creek trail, I used the pole saw to remove trees that fell on the trailhead, as well as on a car tire. Removed 330 shell casings plus lots of broken glass from the trailhead.

Brush work with Ethan Espie using loppers. We focused on brush and branches that obstruct the trail or otherwise encroach on it. Worked on 9 active areas that were impeding trail. Rock Creek to Harris Creek is now able to be biked non-stop, but for sustainable trail will require much more work with electric hedge trimmers for the smaller stuff. Harris Creek is flowing fast, cold, and deep from snow runoff. Recommend to turn around there instead of risking crossing.

Worked on improving flow and creek crossing at Rock Creek along Harris Creek trail. Removed jammed log between stepping stones to allow proper flow. Removed small debris as beginning of effort to restore flow on the near side.

Facebook Sat, Jun 04, 2022 5 hours - National Trails Day
Brush work for section of Harris Creek trail prior to Rock Creek. Severely overgrown section with trees and thick brush required electric hedge trimmers for bulk of work, also loppers for small trees and brush too thick for the hedge trimmers. Removed all debris so final cut with trimmers able to get to the ground for best maintenance.

Facebook Mon, May 30, 2022 4 hour - Memorial Day
Finished a section of brush that had been cut but not to the ground, fixed it with loppers. Continued lopping small trees that were encroaching on the trail. Worked the section midway between Alice Creek and Rock Creek. Removed more trash from the trailhead, mostly broken glass.

Mostly loppers to remove small trees and branches from Harris Creek. I worked mostly at Alice Creek and Rock Creek along Harris Creek trail as the nearby water source causes fast growth there. End of day, more broken glass removed from the trailhead.

Used the pole saw to remove small trees from the beginning of the Harris Creek trail. Later spent final hour picking up broken glass and rifle shells from the trailhead.

I cut trees from the Harris Creek trailhead itself, then along the trail, using my pole saw.

I delivered 3 car loads of trash that I had recovered from the forest on NF-9020 to the recyclers today. 10 Auto tires, 5 of which were still on rims, a bicycle tire, and two televisions, one large one small. 

Trash removal from NF-9020, trail to Harris Creek. I recovered 3 more tires, 2 of which still on rims, a bicycle tire, and a fairly large television that was all shot up.

I removed 6 tires from NF-9020, the road leading to Harris Creek trail. All of this was at the location where people go shooting and bonfires, about 50 feet or so down a steep embankment. The tires that were mounted weighed 75 pounds; the others were in the range of 35-50. As always, people who dump crap have to make it difficult by pushing down a steep embankment.

Trash removal from NF-9020, trail to Harris Creek, included lots of broken glass, cans, and shotgun shells as always. I snagged a television that was thrown 50 feet down a steep embankment. I removed the flare that was used to set the bed on fire (ref yesterday's work). Got a rusty bald tire still fully pressurized. The frame of a car seat minus the fabric. The frame of a desk still assembled. And 5 more gallons of paint from a different location than yesterday's haul of 20 gallons of paint. Second day in a row I completely filled my car with trash removed from the forest.

Apr 23, 2022. Saturday, 5 hours
Removed trash from the NF-9020 forest service road, leading to the Harris Creek Trailhead. Removed 20 gallons of paint that was disposed in a wet ditch. Lot of broken glass and cans removed.

Apr 09, 2022, Saturday. 4 hours.
I covered 2.7 miles of picking up garbage from the side of the road. This included a few firepit sites, bottles, cans, shotgun shells, someone's headlight, the list goes on. Worked in a hailstorm that later become a snowstorm, got pretty soaking wet.

Apr 08, 2022, Friday. 1 hour.
I went midway up the 9020 road, the one leading to Harris Creek trail, and picked up a fair volume of bottles, cans, electronics, etc. from where you park to ride the Palouse aka iron horse trail. I later stopped many times along the way to pick up bottles and cans in the ditch on the road.

==============================================================
To understand the relationship between Harris Creek Trail (NF-9020), Harris Lake Trail, and Hansen Ridge, see image below.























==============================================================

RESOURCES (personal notes)

















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Sunday, October 16, 2022

Wildfires 2022 - preparation in WA state

This has been a terrible year for wildfires in Washington and Oregon. This post is to share some experiences and wisdom for preparation for next time this happens. Much of it relates to what I did but am trying to word it in context of the reader to be useful for others.

Good questions to ask yourself at a time like this:

  1. Does each member of your family have a go-bag that they could get into a car within five minutes to last three for more days?
  2. Can you immediately get all your emergency papers, insurance forms, financial info, and cash should you lose your home?
  3. If all you can take is what fits in your car, what will be included?

This is a timely opportunity to think through your emergency preparedness

PREPARE YOUR HOME

  • Remove brush around the house.
    • I filled 2 yard waste containers just prior to the smoke. A bit late and not as much removed as I should have, but an improvement.
  • Clear other combustibles around the house. Move things from yard into garage that may catch fire, such as lawn furniture or coverings.
  • Water the lawns. It's a bit late if it's already gone dormant, but do it anyway if water is not scarce.
  • Purchase air filters for home. I have 3 HEPA filters and 1 ionic, many people can benefit from a 20 inch box fan and a furnace filter rated MERV 11-13, likely 13 is best but don't exceed that number, see How to make your own clean air fan.
  • Purchase masks. A cloth mask is better than nothing, but very inadequate. Best to have N-95 or better, I have N-99. Charcoal filters are good for volatile pollution, but the biggest threat is particles, pay attention to PM2.5 numbers, as it relates to the need to filter out particles of size 2.5 microns or smaller. A full face mask may be handy if you spend a lot of time outside, such as PT-101 Full Face Gas Mask & Organic Vapor Respirator.
  • Have buckets of water surrounding the house. I have around 30 buckets filled and ready, most people will likely do much less, but even a few is better than nothing.
  • Have all exterior water outlets connected to a hose. Leave it in obvious location in case a good neighbor spots a fire and is able to help.
  • Have tools ready to cut trees or brush readily available. For example, I have my electric pole saw by the front door and batteries charged, same for electric hedge trimmer and a couple bow saws.
  • Go shopping for any essentials asap. Smoke lingers, plan on 2 weeks not just the standard 3 days that people typically recommend.
  • Know where your fire extinguishers are and check they are current.
  • Smoke and CO detectors functioning.
PREPARE YOUR PHONE
  • Install apps to monitor air quality. Apps vary for AQI, Air Quality Index, so install several and figure out which is best. I have IQAir and Plume. Also, see AirNow
  • King County Sheriff Office non-emergency line: (206) 296-3311
  • Burn ban number: (425) 434-6333
  • Snoqualmie Police non-emergency line: (425) 888-3333

PREPARE YOUR CAR
  • Gas tank filled in case long drive necessary to evacuate
  • Hand saw in car in case trees fall on road (important, don't cut trees if near powerline and don't get run over if tree is in the road, use common sense). Bow saw, Silky Big Boy, and loppers.
  • Shovel, pickaxe, or similar to help put out small fire if observed.
  • Cell phone charger inside. USB battery pack for recharging.
  • Floor pump or similar for tires
  • Jumper cables

PREPARE TO LEAVE WITH NO NOTICE

  • Medicine prescriptions filled, especially if asthma, allergy or other issues from smoke
  • Mentally know what to take, such as small valuables, documents, laptops and small electronics.
  • Have carriers for animals and food
  • 5-gallon container of water already filled ready to grab and go.

CHANGE HABITS

  • Reduce driving
  • Don't go out into the woods if not necessary.
  • Share awareness with friends (good luck).
HELPFUL LINKS




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Monday, December 27, 2021

Trail Work 2021

 Trail work done in 2021.

Summary Total 30 days. 80 hours trail work, 113 hours total including travel time.

  • Harris Creek Trail - 75 hours over 28 days. 103 hours with travel time.
  • Raging River - 3 hours over 1 day. 4 hours with travel time.
  • Alpine Baldy - 2 hours over 1 day. 6 hours with travel time.
  • Mt St Helens - 0 hours over 0 days. 0 hours with travel time.
Count DaysDayWork HoursLocationTravel HoursType
30Fri, Dec 03
2
Harris Creek Trail
1
brush, trash
29Wed, Dec 01
1
Harris Creek Trail
1
trash
28Wed, Nov 03
5
Harris Creek Trail
1
trees, trash
27Sat, Oct 30
3
Harris Creek Trail
1
brush
26Fri, Oct 29
3
Raging River
1
trees
25Wed, Oct 27
2
Harris Creek Trail
1
trees
24Thu, Oct 20
2
Harris Creek Trail
1
trees
23Sat, Oct 16
5
Harris Creek Trail
1
trees, brush
22Wed, Oct 13
5
Harris Creek Trail
1
trees, brush
21Tue, Oct 12
2
Harris Creek Trail
1
brush
20Sat, Oct 09
4
Harris Creek Trail
1
brush
19Fri, Oct 08
2
Harris Creek Trail
1
brush
18Sun, Oct 03
3
Harris Creek Trail
1
brush
17Sat, Oct 02
2
Harris Creek Trail
1
brush
16Fri, Oct 01
2
Harris Creek Trail
1
trees, brush
15Sun, Sep 26
3
Harris Creek Trail
1
trash
14Sat, Sep 25
3
Harris Creek Trail
1
brush
13Fri, Sep 24
2
Harris Creek Trail
1
brush
12Sat, Sep 18
3
Harris Creek Trail
1
drainage, trees, trash
11Wed, Sep 08
2
Harris Creek Trail
1
trash
10Sat, Sep 04
2
Harris Creek Trail
1
brush, trash
9Fri, Aug 06
2
Alpine Baldy
4
trees
8Sun, Aug 01
3
Harris Creek Trail
1
trash
7Sun, May 30
4
Harris Creek Trail
1
trees
6Wed, May 26
2
Harris Creek Trail
1
trees
5Sat, May 22
2
Harris Creek Trail
1
trees, trash
4Fri, May 21
2
Harris Creek Trail
1
trash
3Tue, May 11
1
Harris Creek Trail
1
road
-Fri, Apr 09
-
- Fail -
-
-
2Sat, Jan 233Harris Creek Trail1brush
1Mon, Jan 18
3
Harris Creek Trail
1
trees, brush, drainage

Fri, Dec 03, 2021, 2 hours
Harris Creek trail. Brushing with electric hedge trimmer at 0.9 miles into the trail. More trash removal from the trail head and fire road.

Wed, Dec 01, 2021, 1 hour
Harris Creek road. Removed trash at turnouts along NF-9021 to beautify the experience as you approach the Harris Creek Trail.

Wed, Nov 03, 2021, 5 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Loppers to remove small trees encroaching the trail. I cleared 2 sections, a half mile in and a mile in. Later, I removed so much garbage from the trail head it overflowed the trunk of my car.

Sat, Oct 30, 2021, 3 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Brush work and small trees removal around midway to the Rock Creek crossing. Raked out debris because it was so thick that debris on side would have impacted future brush work.

Fri, Oct 29, 2021, 3 hours
Raging River. Removed 1 medium sized tree overhanging the access road, needing a high cut with a pole saw on 6 foot extension. Cleared around 10 blockages on both upper and lower Return Policy trail.

Wed, Oct 27, 2021, 2 hours
Harris Creek Trail.  Cleared a bunch of small trees encroaching on the trail. It's a section I brushed earlier, but returned with loppers to finish the small trees. 

Thu, Oct 20, 2021, 2 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Cleared small trees encroaching on trail at early section.

Sat, Oct 16, 2021, 5 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Made it to the Harris Lake Trail which is severely overgrown with alder trees. Cleared a difficult section that was not passable due to trees growing in the trail itself.

Wed, Oct 13, 2021, 5 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Mostly removing small trees encroaching on the trail using loppers, but also an hour on the hedge trimmers for smaller brush. All work in the area of 1.0 mile from trail head.

Tue, Oct 12, 2021, 2 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Brush work in reverse from Harris Creek back towards trail head.

Sat, Oct 09, 2021, 4 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Brush work in reverse from Rock Creek back towards trail head. I cleared around the creek crossing and ditch just above the creek, so that the path is clear once the creek is filled with water from seasonal rains. Brush wasn't as dense as other days, but was thicker stalks, at capacity to what my battery hedge trimmer can handle.

Fri, Oct 08, 2021, 2 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Brush work. I got about a tenth of a mile done today in the evening. This makes the trail clear for the first 0.45 miles in very good shape.

Sun, Oct 03, 2021, 3 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Brush work around 3/4 mile till the culvert around 1 mile in. Cut some pretty tall heavy brush.

Sat, Oct 02, 2021, 2 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Brush work near start till 0.36 miles in, looking good for early section only.

Fri, Oct 01, 2021, 2 hours
Harris Creek Trail Brush early section of trail for 3/4 hour, then over an hour removing branches and logs from side of trail that were impacting ability to get brush cutter into the thick underbrush.


Sun Sep 26, 2021, 3 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Trash removal from trail head. Mostly broken glass and clay pigeons used for target shooting. This was embedded over large area of the trail head and painstakingly removed even tiny glass fragments.

Sat Sep 25, 2021, 3 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Brush work at beginning of trail with Stihl eKombi borrowed from Jay.

Fri Sep 24, 2021, 2 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Brush work at beginning of trail with Stihl eKombi borrowed from Jay.

Sep 18, 2021, Sat, 3 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Worked on drainage in the rain, then brush clearing. Removed muffler from forest road.

Harris Creek Trail. Sep 08, 2021, Wed, 2 hours
Removed building materials including a water heater from the trail head. Very difficult to get water heater up the hill, attempted to dismantle it till that proved fruitless, eventually pushed it end over end out of the ditch. Huge struggle to get it inside the car. Filled car with more trash picked from the dirt.

Sep 04, 2021, Sat, 2 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Lopping brushes on trail. Removed lot of building materials, glass, and other trash from the trail head

Aug 06, 2021, Friday, 2 hours
Alpine Baldy. Removed 4 trees in area of avalanche debris.

Aug 01, 2021, Sunday, 3 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Removed trash and ash from 3 illegal fire pits

May 30, 2021, Sunday, 4 hours
Harris Creek Trail. I removed trees and branches clogging ditch and causing marshy wet section of trail. Made it out 3 miles but had to turn around due to bear bounding across the trail. The section of trail I worked on was between Rock Creek and Harris Creek.

May 26, 2021, Wednesday, 2 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Cleared trees till intersection with Carter Creek trail. Lot of small branches and debris removed from trail.

May 22, 2021, Saturday, 2 hours
Harris Creek Trail. Cleared to 2nd creek crossing at Harris Creek. Removed 4 small trees and one medium size tree. Picked up 2 more pails of garbage at trail head.

    May 21, 2021, Friday, 2 hours
    Harris Creek Trail. Picked up 2 pails of garbage, a helmet, and a broken TV. Mostly broken glass in the dirt which is very time consuming to remove tiny glass fragments all over the place.

    May 11, 2021, Tuesday, 1 hour
    NF-9020. Road work, to break up rock blocking road to trailhead. Follow up on May 18 with Justin's Makita RotoHammer with a drill.

    April 09, 2021, Friday, 0 hours
    I headed up the NF-9020 to do trail work, but hit a rock that busted my radiator. Had to get towed out. Cost me $700 out of pocket because State Farm Insurance sucks and called it a collision instead of comprehensive (road hazard).

    Jan 23, 2021, Saturday, 3 hours.
    Harris Creek Trail. Electric Hedge Trimmer, 2 batteries. I cleared sticker bushes back for the first half mile.

    Jan 18, 2021, Monday. 3 hours.
    https://www.facebook.com/kenobonn/posts/10222114168517323
    Clearing Harris Creek Trail. Electric pole saw, 2 batteries. I removed the trees in the ditches and side of the trail that get in the way of drainage work and brush removal, as far as Rock Creek along the Harris Creek Trail. Also took out a number of overhanging trees that may fall on the trail.


    ==============================================================

    Check the June Lake Snotel for snow levels at Mt St. Helens, typically good to go at Lower Smith when just a foot snow remaining. As of June 14, snow level at 6 inches and melting at 1-2 inches per day, so it's good to go because Lower Smith Creek is lower elevation and melts out quicker. Confirm road access at Ape Canyon TH, this year the road opened on June 07.

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

    October 31, 2020, Saturday, 3 hours
    Harris Lake Trail. Redirected water flow from trail to prevent erosion.

    October 24, 2020, Saturday, 3 hours
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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.


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    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 DaysdayhoursLocationTravel Time
    10Saturday July 286 hoursOld Olallie1 hour
    9Wednesday July 183 hoursOld Olallie1 hour
    8Sunday July 155 hoursOld Olallie1 hour
    7Saturday July 144 hours + 4 hours from ShawnaOld Olallie1 hour
    6Wednesday July 113 hoursOld Olallie1 hour
    5Sunday July 084 hoursOld Olallie1 hour
    4Sunday June 246 hoursMt St Helens8 hours
    3Sunday June 174 hoursOld Olallie1 hour
    2Saturday June 023 hours + 3 hours from ShawnaOld Olallie1 hour
    1Wednesday May 303 hoursOld Olallie1 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.







    
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    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.
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    Sunday, July 17, 2011

    Lewis River Campout

    Biking Siouxon on Saturday, campout and biking Lewis River on Sunday.

    Both trails were in excellent condition.

    Siouxon Saturday























    Lewis River Sunday


















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