Author: Karl Mosgofian

Photo Album: Skyline Trail Photos

Skyline Trail Work Day Report - October 22, 2022
Prepared by Judd Volino, The Trail Center

Volunteers were probably slightly surprised how moist the air was first thing on Saturday morning of our work day. A strong fog bank created condensation coming off the trees in forested areas, too, making it feel like a rainy day.

Volunteers parked at the King’s Mountain Archers lot off the upper end of King’s Mountain Rd, in Huddart County Park. Volunteer coordinator Kathy checked everyone in and Judd and Jerel began shuttling folks a quarter mile up the road to the pull out where Hank had parked the trailer. Crew Leader Helen coordinated the distribution of appropriate tools into 3 piles for easier pick-up by volunteers after crew formation.

Trail Boss Judd provided the safety talk to our group of about 24 volunteers and staff at trail post #54 next to the water tank. Judd noted that we’d be working from the far end of the projects list, with lower numbered flags, and work our way back in the direction of the trailhead. This meant a 2.25mi hike for the farthest crew.

Tom M. was kind enough to independently start low brushing ahead of the crews with the motorized hedge trimmer, focussing on berry that had grown into the tread, some poison oak patches and lightweight shrub branches.

Karl led crew #1. Karl’s crew took a wrong turn onto a use trail under the power lines on the way in, which led to a delay in starting their work. Ultimately, they ended up working on flags between #33 back towards #40. This was in lieu of working flags #1-8 as originally planned.

Helen led the second crew, joined in the afternoon by crew leader apprentice Sam M. They began at flag #9, taking on the core work of widening the tread by brushing especially on the uphill side and removing sloughed dirt and duff from the inside edge of the trail. This crew also cut back some downed branches that were protruding into the corridor and removed previously cut debris to be less ugly on the sides. They also did some tread restoration in an area where a tree had fallen and the outside edge had broken down a bit. Later, some of the crew doubled back to flags #7 and 8 to do brushing an PO removal in those areas, and one drain at a low spot. The rest of the crew ended around flag #14.

Hank was third crew leader, joined in the morning by crew leader apprentice Sam M. His group began at site #15 to do some major tread restoration in a steep area. They continued to work north. One major improvement, led by Jerel, was cutting back the rootball of a downed tree to impinge less on the trail. The crew ended up reaching about flag #21. On the way back to the staging area, Hank’s crew (and Helen’s) removed debris generated by the hedge trimmer.

If we’re able to return to Skyline on a future date, we’d want to try to finish between flags 1 and 7 and from about 21 through 33 and some selected spots in the 40’s.

Thanks to Kathy for doing double duty and bring snacks that we distributed to volunteers after they were shuttled back to the parking lot. Also thanks for Hank for hauling the trailer and Ken and Jerel and Sam for working on tool packing.

Project: Memorial Park

Photo Album: Memorial Park - Homestead Trail Photos

Memorial Park – Homestead Trail
Trail Center Work Day Report
July 23, 2022

Workday Report for Memorial Park - July 23, 2022

On Saturday July 23, the Trail Center returned to Homestead Trail in San Mateo County's Memorial Park. This was the sixth scheduled workday with the goal of recommissioning the trail in time for the 100 year anniversary of Memorial Park. The Trail Center was thrilled to participate in this important work, and its 15 volunteers brought this enthusiasm to Saturday's workday.

The weather began overcast with temperature in the low 50s before quickly opening up to clear skies in the low 70s. The trail tread is a debris field with a mix of sandy and rocky soil where previously stood a wooden utility bridge. A two-tiered retaining wall is required to stabilize, support and define the trail. We staged the trailer and volunteers in the Homestead Group Campground where Ranger Dave staged the materials, hardware, and specialty tools.

Helen's crew began the construction by establishing the location and height of the lumber at the midpoint of the 64-ft wall. After digging the foundation, placing the first section of lumber, and driving and attaching the hat channels, the crew continued construction toward the east. Judd's crew built the wall from the midpoint westward. By day's end, 56 feet of the first tier were completed. The trail tread was backfilled and was well established, awaiting only fine detailing.

Larry led a smaller crew that performed tread work on hundreds of yards of trail to the east and west of the retaining wall site.

Remaining work includes the construction of the 32-ft long second tier, the last 8 feet of the first tier, and final treatment of the trail tread. This effort will require an 8 person crew approximately 4 hours to complete. Ranger Dave will advise when the materials (4x8 x 8-ft lumber Qty 10, 8-ft hat channel Qty 8 + 2 spares, and 6-ft hat channel Qty 2 + 1 spare). Upon completion, the Homestead Trail shall be ready to open, providing a beautiful creekside walk from Azalea Campground to Huckleberry Flat (the former picnic area slated to become a dog friendly campground) to Homestead Group Camp.

The Trail Center thanks its volunteers and Judd for driving the trailer, Kathy for coordinating our volunteers, and Larry for the snacks and beverages at day's end. Special thanks to Ranger Dave Vasquez for providing all materials and for his assistance in coordinating the work.