Trail Wanderlust
It came to my attention some time ago that the segment of the California Riding and Hiking Trail that I used as part of my Otay Mountain Loop has gotten horribly overgrown.
It was pretty faint in spots back in 2008. I have updated my page to reflect that riders may want to go around on the road. Or better yet, check out this route and take some pruning gear along on you. 🙂
Saturday I spent a good chunk of the day helping out with the construction of a new section of trail that will be part of the Coast-to-Crest trail. This was a a short notice trailwork to get some things accomplished prior to March 15th when restrictions on access to the area take effect in an effort to give the threatened gnatcatcher bird a better breeding season.
Before we could get started in earnest we had to relocate a couple of the “locals”.
I was pretty stoked with this shot above as I got this snake’s eye in focus and the light was good enough that you could see the flash of the camera. While nobody but me can pick it out, there is a bit of my reflection in the it’s eyes. I can’t help but wonder if I had one of those $5K 22MP cameras and some L-series glass would I have been able to pick that up better.
This was some exceptionally tough work done that involved almost exclusively rock work. This section of the trail is within the 20 year flood plan of the San Dieguito River so it will be a raised section of trail with periodic culverts. Our main jobe today was to frame in were the trail is going to go and start on the foundation of rocks that will eventually be filled with dirt.
We used some sizable rock to make the frame of the trail. There was one rock large enough to be dubbed “The Asteroid”. When completed it will be cool to ride by that spot and say “Yeah, I help put that rock there”
This was the first time that SDMBA has worked with the SDRP folks and I think we left a good impression about the quality of work SDMBA can produce. One this was for certain, I was good and pooped.
Here are some additional photos.
Yesterday, around 60 people showed up to work on a troubled section of trail that was in need of erosion control. More importantly in was a chance for SDMBA to work the Department of Fish and Game.
Gardner giving the safety brief prior to heading out to the work site.
Even though it has not rained in a couple of weeks there were still some wet areas due to poor drainage. Several crews built the neccessary drainage.
“Sparticus” in action. This is a really cool tool that is basically a spider web of chain that allows for really large rocks to be moved efficiently. SDMBA has built five of these so far and several were in use on this day.
In addition to some of the usual faces you see at these events there were also plenty of new faces including plenty youngsters and teenagers. These are the future stewards of these lands so it was great to see entire families involved.
A special thanks is owed to Erik Trogden (The SDMBA’s Coastal North County Liason) for leading the effort to put this event together. Thanks to Bicycle Warehouse for supporting the event with the copious amounts of schwag. More importantly, thanks to Warren Wong from the Department of Fish and Game for allowing SDMBA to work with his agency to improve this trail. Hopefully this will be the start of a good working relationship to improve both the habitat and trail resources of Lake Calvera.
Here are some additional pictures.
After the trailwork a few of us went for a bike ride at Calvera. While out in the “Back 40”, we got to see some “game” on the Fish and Game managed land.
Put this on your calender folks. If you not being riding/following Calvera lately, there is lots of activity going on, both good and not-so-good, with this area. The CA Dept of Fish and Game has not exactly be a “welcoming with open arms” kind of group towards mountain bikers so our community showing up in good numbers will go a long way towards establishing a good relationship with them here. Come on out, do a little trailwork and then do a little riding.
The below information is from Erik Trogden, the North County Coastal Liaison with the San Diego Mountain Biking Association.
February 28th at Calavera
This is an important opportunity for mountain bikers, hikers, and others to come together for the common cause of taking care of our precious open spaces. Let’s demonstrate that we are responsible stewards of Calavera by pitching in to make it a better place for everyone who enjoys it.
SDMBA is collaborating with the CA Dept. of Fish and Game to do habitat restoration and erosion control on a heavily used trail falling southwest away from the quarry; sometimes referred to as The Spine or Mordor. The 200 yard long stretch of trail has widened significantly over time and needs some work to repair damage from rain and overuse.
9:00 to Noon. Staging area TBD. Same format as La Costa with food, schwag and lot’ s of education about how YOU can make a difference.
Erik Trogden
North County Coastal Liaison
SDMBA
Mark this on your Calender Folks.
From the San Diego Mountain Bike Association
Volunteer Trail Work
SATURDAY, MARCH 29th, at 8:30am
Having organized more than a dozen volunteer events held at Black Mountain Park since 2002, The San Diego Mountain Bike Association has helped to define and shape the park’s trail system. One new trail recently opened, and more trails are being planned. Our volunteer efforts and close working relationship with the park’s ranger staff will continue to ensure that all current and future trails are open to mountain biking.Join SDMBAus on SATURDAY, March 29th, at 8:30am to help maintain the trails we’ve for which we’ve worked so hard to gain access. We’ll be doing tread work on the CANYON RIM TRAIL, which badly needs repair to make it usable for mountain bikers. Bring water and gloves; we’ll provide everything else!
Here is thier flyer for the trailwork event with directions on how to get there.
Here is my information on the Black Mountain area (It could use a little updating).
Also right next to Black Mountain is a portion of the Santa Luz Loop with is worth checking out as well.
-Bill
Yesterday, my boys and I joined other volunteers for some trailwork out on the Indian Creek Trail. Indian Creek is part of the “Tour de Noble” which each year provides many riders with an awesome trail experience. Today it was time to say thanks to the trail with a little TLC. With my Saturday mornings typically being locked-up with my boys’ hockey games, it had been quite a while since I was last out for an organized trailwork event. Luckily we are in between seasons right now.
We met up at the lower Noble Canyon trailhead, where the USFS Ranger escorted our carpooled caravaned up to the trail. Getting there was a bit of adventure on it’s own.
Once up to the trail, we had a nice hike hike up past the waterfall where we then started give the trail a haircut as well as little treadwork here and there.
This was my boys’ third trail work event in the area and they put in a solid days work. By the time they are up to riding Noble Canyon (Which maybe sometime this year) they should not be surprised by most of the lines.
Here is Jake getting a little creative with getting some leverage with the loppers.
Afterwards Charlie from CalCoast Bicycles raffled off a bunch of really cool swag that included hats, shirts, tires, pumps and more with the grand prize being a Camelbak.
I have more pictures from the event on my Got Trail? page.
If you are interested to helping out with future trailwork events checkout the San Diego Mountain Bike Association’s website.
-Bill