Author: Karl Mosgofian

Project: Purisima Creek Redwoods

Photo Album: Purisima Redwoods Photos 

Purisima Creek Redwoods – Redwood Trail
Trail Center Work Day Report
January 11, 2020

On Saturday, January 11, we returned to Midpeninsula Regional OSD’s Purisima Creek Redwood Open Space Preserve, this time to work on Redwood Trail. This 0.3 mile long path is one of MidPen’s five easy-access hiking trails, suitable for visitors of all physical abilities, and the only one in a redwood forest. By brushing, raking, repairing drains, and restoring the wheelchair accessible picnic areas, the Trail Center made this path once again fully accessible. The Trail Center was thrilled to participate in this important work, and its crews brought this enthusiasm to Saturday’s workday.
The weather was foggy to partly cloudy, with typical winter temperatures in the high 40’ to mid 50’s. The trail tread is a mix of organic and clay soil, largely saturated after recent rains. The work area was completely under redwood and Douglas tree shade except at the partially sunny picnic areas. Our 25 volunteers included both experienced hands and three first time volunteers.
We staged the trailer and volunteers in the Skyline Blvd pullout area immediately before the trailhead. Ranger Brendan Dolan provided expert supervision as well as several types of rakes specifically suited for the project. Work began immediately at the parking area and continued north for the entire length of the trail.
Each of the four crews restored one picnic area and cleared duff and organic debris off the trail tread. Karl’s crew also concentrated on clearing the handicap accessible parking area and on digging out and removing an extensive network of tree roots impeding the path. Volunteers under Hank’s guidance did yeoman’s work restoring the tread width along their section, finishing early enough to assist other crews. Helen’s crew had a busy day uprooting and bagging invasive non-native ivy and clearing drains and culverts at and near the midpoint restrooms. Judd and the Paly bunch removed a fallen log that had previously obscured the M. Betty Williams Memorial Grove before hiking to San Mateo County’s Huddart Park where they added two badly needed drains at the junction of Skyline and Richards Road Trails.
The original project scope included laying down base rock at various locations where needed. The Trail Center looks forward to returning to Redwood Trail later this spring, after the trail tread is sufficiently dry, to complete this work. The Trail Center Projects Committee will coordinate with the MidPen rangers to plan this final phase.
Thanks to Judd for driving the trailer, to Kathy for coordinating and signing in the volunteers at the beginning of the day, and to Larry for catering the snacks and beverages at the end of the day.

Bill Farrell

Project: Russian Ridge

Photo Album: Russian Ridge Photos 

Bay Area Ridge Trail Day at Russian Ridge
Work Day Report
November 2, 2019

The Russian Ridge Trail project, one of 14 sites participating in the Bay Area Ridge Trail service day, was held on November 2nd, 2019. About 38 volunteers, 4 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District staff, and representatives from the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council and REI attended the event. The weather was sunny and warm and the air, of concern due to wildfires in the area, was clean enough that we did not have to cancel the event.

The project, as specified by Maintenance Supervisor Brendan Dolan (MROSD), was to repair or implement drains along a 1/2 mile stretch of trail ending near the Vista parking area and to fix the tread where erosion had produced gullies, multiple tracks, inside ditches and other tread defects.

The challenge that faced the volunteers was cement-hard soil conditions (no rain prior to the workday) and the repetitive nature of the tasks of building and cleaning drains and repairing tread throughout the entire day. Despite these obstacles, the volunteers came through and completed all the work items on the project sheet. The objectives that Ranger Brendan outlined were completely fulfilled. And, thanks to some water-tank mules supplied and run by MROSD, many of the drains and repair spots were moistened sufficiently that the dirt should hold until the arrival of the next showers.

We couldn't have completed this project without the help and hard work of our 38 volunteers. Special thanks to our Trail Center crew leaders George Willis, Dave Croker, Karl Mosgofian, Judd Volino and William Farrell. Additionally, Kathy Diamond worked as volunteer coordinator, Larry Stites organized refreshments, and Judd Volino and Dave Croker managed the tool trailer.

Finally, the Trail Center wishes to thank MROSD for their help in organizing this event and for assistance with logistics and site preparation, Chipotle for lunch-time burritos and coupons, and REI for their sponsorship.

Respectfully submitted,

Hank Magnuski
Trail Boss
11/4/19

Project: Memorial Park 

Photo Album: Memorial Park Trail Photos 

San Mateo Memorial Park - Pomponio Trail
Work Day Report
August 24, 2019

Prepared by Bill Farrell/Trail Center

On Saturday, August 24, we returned to San Mateo County’s Memorial Park’s recently reopened Pomponio Trail to complete the work begun on October 13, 2018. The Trail Center was thrilled to participate in this important work, and its crews brought this enthusiasm to Saturday’s workday. The SMCP rangers were delighted for the trail to receive much needed TLC just before Labor Day, the park’s peak busiest weekend.
The weather was clear, with unexpectedly warm temperatures in the low 80’s by workday’s end. The trail tread is a mix of organic, sandy, sandstone soil, nicely workable after last season’s rains. That same rain brought significant overgrowth onto the trail, poison oak flowering everywhere, and even a rattlesnake! While mostly shaded by Douglas fir trees, the work area was occasionally exposed to full sun. Our 18 volunteers, plus 6 staff and crew, were a nice mix of veterans and dedicated new team members.
As before, we staged the trailer and volunteers in the pull-out area immediately before the park entrance kiosk. Bill Farrell got a head start on the group Wednesday afternoon and Tom Morris continued the work early Saturday morning. Both wielded the Shindaiwa weed-whackers like skilled samurai warriors to clear a path through the underbrush. In their wake, the volunteers hiked in one and a half miles (and several hundred feet elevation gain) via the Mt Ellen trail network.
All crews focused on brushing the uphill trailside and restoring trail width, with an eye to minimizing the need for SMCP rangers to return annually to weed-whack this sunlit, well fertilized, and rain drenched slope. Dave C’s crew did a superb job of brushing ceonothus, Douglas fir, coffee berry, coyote brush, and chinquapin while adding a much needed switchback drain. Eva and Karl’s crew made easy work of the worst portion of the trail, re-establishing its tread width in-hill and bypassing that badly eroded stretch. Aaron’s team bravely battled a belligerent ant colony even while rooting and removing an 8’ by 4’ patch of pampas grass that had all but obscured the trail (an all-day yet no insignificant effort).

Addendum: Bill Farrell returned to the worksite on Thursday 8/29/2019 to complete the work through Flag 102, re-establishing trail width for the last and needed 100 yards.
Thank you to all for completing the restoration of Pomponio Trail and making it ready for Labor Day, Memorial Park’s busiest weekend of the year. Visitors to this gem of San Mateo’s park system can now enjoy its hiking for years to come.

Bill Farrell
8/29/19