Category: Reports

On Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, about 40-45 volunteers and staff met and worked on the Saratoga Gap Trail for the annual Bay Area Ridge Trail Service Day event. There were three crew leaders and a project supervisor from the Trail Center (www.trailcenter.org), two crew leaders and several other staff from Santa Clara County Parks, and several representatives from the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council.

Rain had been expected all week, but fortunately we only received a light overnight sprinkle which softened up the working conditions and kept some of the dust down. We planned on 1.3 miles of repairs, starting at the parking area trailhead located about 0.5 miles north of the junction of Hwy 35 x Hwy 9 and ending at the trailhead located 0.3 miles north of Charcoal Road. Tools and sign-in tables were located at the junction of Charcoal Road and the Saratoga Gap Trail, and that is where we started our day. Five crews were assembled, two working north of Charcoal Road and three heading south.

To make a long story short, thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and crew leaders, the entire planned stretch of the trail was completed and was left in really excellent condition.

I wish to thank Helen Shaughnessy, Dave Croker, Judd Volino, Eric McFarland and Ashkan Yahyale for excellent crew leading, Natalia Cortes for hauling in the burritos, the other support staff from BART for administrative and check-in help, and the staff of SCCP for handling registrations.

For future events like this I would like to stress to volunteers the importance of arriving on time. The last volunteer showed up at 10:15 and that really impacts safety talks, tool distribution and crew balancing. Also, I forgot to request a porta potty, which for such a large group would have been a nice convenience.

Looking forward to next year,

Hank Magnuski
"Trail Boss"

Photo Album: Skyline Trail Photos

Skyline Trail Work Day Report - November 4, 2023
Prepared by Hank Magnuski, The Trail Center

The Bay Area Ridge Trail service day is an annual event where many groups and trail organizations come out and spend a day fixing the Bay Area Ridge Trail, a 400+ mile (eventually 550) trail circumnavigating the whole Bay Area.

Thanks to the scouting work of Judd Volino and approval by our agency partner, San Mateo County Parks, the Trail Center was able to pull together a service project on the Skyline Trail just North of the Wunderlich Park boundary. The work involved clearing duff and debris from the tread to widen it and to recenter the tread which was, in many places, getting dangerously close to the outside, downhill edge.

We were very fortunate to have thirty volunteers, four crew leaders, two staff, a trail boss and two representatives from the Ridge Trail Council show up for the day. We sincerely thank all those who took time out of their Saturday to come to help on this project.

During the morning announcements the Trail Center was very pleased to award red Crew Leader shirts to Jennifer Lange and Sam Warring who have been training with us over the last year. We thank them for their service and willingness to participate as our newest crew leaders.

Four crews were formed and assigned to work at various spots on the first half mile of the project. Earlier, Judd Volino had prepped many spots on the trail for easy brushing by cutting vines and brambles with an electric trimmer. It made cleanup of those sections go much faster.

A few days before the event we found out that a 35K and 50K major race was scheduled for the same day as our work. Not the best plan, for sure, but we could live with it. The trail crews were very supportive of the runners and cheered them on as they passed.

The highlight of the day was having a volunteer strike an unseen ground nest of yellow jackets. In an instant a swarm was attacking the volunteers, trail runners and even the Trail Boss. Crew Leader Helen Shaugnessy was on it immediately, diving into our first aid kit for meds and lotions. Fortunately, the allergic reactions were local and none of the victims had to depart for the day.

The Trail Boss, however, made a decision that no crews would pass the war-zone nest and that meant we had to reroute and shuttle all volunteers to the North end of the work area to continue the project. We managed to arrange that and enjoyed a Chipotle burrito lunch together at the Molder Trailhead while we were waiting for all crews to re-assemble.

We worked until around 2:30 and despite the reroute got roughly 95% of the original plan done. There are some reports of serious damage to the tread just North of the Molder Trail junction and we'll need to finish up the last one-fifth mile of undone work, so it looks like another project day or bonus day will be in the works.

We finished the day with our usual refreshments and a raffle with prizes provided by the Trail Center and the Bay Area Ridge Trail.

The Trail Center wishes to sincerely thank Susan Kelso for hauling the lunch burritos to us and being very flexible about our change in plans, Ryan Mack for being the Ridge Trail representative and helping out in many different ways during the day, and Natalia Cortes for coordinating plans and volunteers for the Ridge Trail Council. A shout out also goes to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District for use of their El Corte de Madera parking area.

Respectfully submitted,

Hank Magnuski
Project Supervisor

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.

Photo Album: Mt. Shasta Photos

Mt. Shasta
Trail Center Work Day Report
June 23-26, 2022

On June 23rd seventeen Trail Center volunteers arrived at the KOA in Mt. Shasta City to begin a multi-day trail building event in cooperation with the Mt. Shasta Trail Association (MSTA). The crews worked all day Friday, Saturday and a half day Sunday.

The work would be a major overhaul and upgrade of the historic Sisson's Trail, a trail used to bring climbers and visitors to the base of Mt. Shasta. Repairs started near the McBride Springs campground and finished about a mile downhill. About a half-dozen heavily armored drains were created, tread was rerouted or refurbished in multiple places and lots of brushing cleared the trail corridor. Volunteers from the MSTA assisted in all these tasks.

The weather for the weekend was predicted to be extremely hot, but thanks to the elevation, shaded work areas and early starts the crews were able to put in full workdays.

After work many enjoyed swims in Lake Siskiyou or Castle Lake nearby. In the evening the MSTA arranged for two presentations, the first on the history and lore of Mt. Shasta and the second on the Gateway Phase 2 Trail Project.

The Trail Center thanks the MSTA for its incredible hospitality, especially John Harch for selecting the work site and Glenn Harvey for arranging many superb meals.

Also, special thanks to the crew leaders Judd, Helen, Dave and Bill for guiding the work so well and of course appreciation to our volunteers for taking the time and spending the money to travel to this event: Ankush, Jerel, Richard, Aaron, Jennifer, Tiara, Elle, Eric, Thomas, Larry, Daniel and Sam.

Respectfully submitted,

Hank Magnuski
Supervisor

Project: Memorial Park

Photo Album: Memorial Park - Homestead Trail Photos Jan 29
Memorial Park - Homestead Trail Photos Feb 5

Memorial Park – Homestead Trail
Trail Center Work Day Report
January 29 and February 5, 2022

I recently hiked this section of trail after you all completed the work and what a fantastic improvement you provided to this important trail! My favorite section is that angular retaining wall by the leaning and wedged Oak tree. The tread on that particular section is now so comfortable and perfect to walk on, and it no longer is a sheer, precarious edge on that turn. I am truly impressed and most appreciative!

It is an honor and a tremendous boon to have the Trail Center’s presence to improve these amazing trails. Thanks to the Trail Center’s hard work, our trail infrastructure is now beginning to live up to the beauty of the surrounding redwood forest.

David Vasquez, Park Ranger

 

On Saturdays January 29 and February 5, the Trail Center returned to Homestead Trail in San Mateo County’s Memorial Park. These were the fourth and fifth scheduled workdays 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 7 volunteers brought this enthusiasm to the Saturday workdays. Homestead Trail is now complete between Azalea Flat Campground and Huckleberry Picnic Area.
The sky was clear and sunny throughout the workdays, with temperatures beginning in high 40’s, ending in the 60’s. The trail tread is a mix of organic, sandy, and sandstone soil, nicely workable after last year’s rains and dust free.
We staged the trailer and volunteers in the Azalea Flat Campground at Homestead Trail Milepost 7 where Ranger Steve had previously staged the materials and tools, required to complete the remaining retaining wall. The wall was built to route the trail around a tanoak that is leaning against a Doug fir.
Dave C led the crew as it completed the carpentry, especially designed to avoid damaging the roots of the centuries old Doug fir. Memorial Park Rangers staged approximately 2 yards of crushed rock at the Pescadero Creek Road turn-off to Pomponio Canyon Trail while volunteers schlepped this fill down the steps to Homestead Trail in buckets and transported by wheelbarrow to the work area. After completing the back-fill, we sprinkled a light layer of duff onto the trail and onto the soil “quarries” to return the trail to a natural look.
Volunteers also reinforced a previously completed retaining wall with additional hat channel. We also unsuccessfully attempted to further drive two protruding channels at the retaining wall closest to Huckleberry Flat, but the reciprocal saw was not up to the task. The Trail Center recommends that SMCP return to this wall with a grinder and diamond cutter to complete this work.
Finally, the Trail Center removed the previously identified “maidenhead prow” jutting into the trail.
Dave C inspected the deteriorated staircase between Pomponio Canyon Trail and Homestead Trai and will submit a Bill of Materials to Ranger Dave Vazquez for its planned replacement by The Trail Center. Trail Center looks forward to returning to Memorial Park this summer to perform this work and to build retaining wall at the utility bridge.
Thanks to Dave C for driving the tool trailer and leading the crews, to Kathy for coordinating our volunteers, and to Rangers Steve and Adam for preparing Azalea Flat for the volunteers and staging the crushed rock. Special thanks to Ranger Dave Vasquez for providing all materials and for his assistance in coordinating the work.

Project: Sam McDonald Park

Photo Album: Sam McDonald Photos 

Heritage Grove Trail – Sam McDonald County Park
Trail Center Work Day Report
November 11, 2021
On Saturday, November 11, a 6-member Trail Center crew returned to complete all work on the San Mateo County Sam McDonald Park’s Heritage Grove Trail project. This was a previously unscheduled (“bonus”) workday, intended to finish the work begun on September 11 and continued on October 9. The Trail Center is pleased to announce that it was successful in this completion. The trail is greatly improved, with new staircases, retaining wall, and replaced bridge that will add decades to the life of this historic and scenic treasure.
The weather was perfect for trail work. 65 degrees, clear skies, and no wind. The entire trail was well shaded, and the soil was easily workable, with an ideal moisture content following this month’s heavy rains, and consisted of a good mix of organic duff and mineral underlay.
We staged the volunteers at the Alpine Road trailhead. SMCP supplied the lumber, milled and drilled, foundation stakes, and fastening hardware at the trailhead. They also coned off the parking area for the volunteers’ vehicles.
Work completed included:
1. Installation of 7 additional steps (8x8 x 3 ft) at Staircase #3 (farthest uphill from the trailhead) bringing the total new steps at this location to 11.
2. Demolition and reconstruction of the bridge above Staircase #3 using 8x8 x 3 ft footings, 2x12 x 8 ft surface, and 2x6 x 2 ft crossbeams. The new bridge is approximately 8 ft long and 2 ft wide and level.
3. Reestablishing trail width, out-sloping, and grading at two locations, over a total of 60 yards.
4. Permanently attaching the previously installed retaining wall lumber to the foundation stakes, using 2 ½” long deck screws.
5. Temporary repair to the “Please Do Not Litter” sign at the base of the trail. The rotten right-hand 4x4 support had caused separation of the text so as to make the message unaligned and nearly illegible.
6. Removal of a rotten and fallen 4x4 post, including outdated trail plaques.
All work was performed without closure of the trail. An estimated 25 hikers passed through the work area during the workday, each safely guided through the site without incident by the Trail Center volunteers.
The Trail Center cached a few residual 2x6 timbers out of sight near the new bridge, should SMCP wish to recover them. We recommended SMCP completely replace the 4x4 posts supporting the “Please do Not Litter” sign.
Again, the Heritage Grove Trail project is now completed.

Thanks to Dave V and his staff for providing and staging the materials, Judd for serving as trail boss, and Kathy for coordinating our glorious volunteers Jerrold, Dave K, Jennifer, Simona, and Bill.

Project: Sam McDonald Park

Photo Album: Sam McDonald Photos 

Crew members were Dave K, Larry, Paul, Mark and Rich.

On Saturday, October 9, we returned to continue the work begun on September 11 on San Mateo County Sam McDonald Park’s historic and extremely popular Heritage Grove Trail. This park was deeded to the county by the turn of 19th Century landholder, a former groundskeeper for Stanford University, and is perhaps one of only two non-urban parks named after an African American Californian.
The weather was perfect for trail work. 65 degrees, clear skies, and no wind. The entire trail was well shaded, and the soil was easily workable, consisting of a good mix of organic duff and mineral underlay.
We staged the 17 volunteers (including Trail Center crew leaders) at the Sam McDonald parking lot. They were then shuttled to the Alpine Road trailhead where the Trail Center trailer awaited. SMCP supplied the lumber, milled and drilled, and foundation stakes.
Hank’s crew started the day with a brisk climb up to the Hiker’s Hut. They took in the panoramic view of the Pescadero Creek watershed before doing general trail maintenance from the Hut down to Milepost 30 and down Heritage Grove Trail. Specifically, they cleaned out and refurbished existing drains, removed in-trail roots balls and filled in the holes, removed overhanging branches and debris around the small (“Hiker’s Only”) access gate, and repaired a switchback. Few Trail Center crews have ever covered so much distance (over a mile!) with such a remarkable result.
Trail Center resumed the demolition and replacement of rotting half-century old staircases, an effort begun on the September 11 workday. The new staircases consist of 8x8 redwood timber steps, expected to last another half-century.
Judd’s crew installed 4 more steps on a particularly steep, narrow, and technically challenging portion immediately above Milepost 24. While this satisfied the original scope of work at this location, Judd judged that an additional 5 steps would greatly enhance the hiker’s experience. After he conferred with the other Trail Center crew leaders, all agreed that this is a good candidate for future work.
Dave C’s crew mobilized farther up the trail where they demolished yet another decaying staircase and replaced it with 10 new steps, completing all work at this spot.
Additional work included the installation of a new retaining wall by Dave’s crew and a repair of the narrow footbridge by Judd’s crew.
Remaining work, yet to be scheduled, includes the 5 additional steps recommended by Judd, permanent fastening of the retaining wall timber to the foundation stakes, and improvements to the narrow footbridge.
Thanks to Dave V for providing materials, Dave C for driving the trailer, crew leaders, Kathy and Larry for coordinating our glorious volunteers and, of course, our glorious volunteers for committing a beautiful Saturday to the benefit of the trail and its hikers..

Project: Sam McDonald Park

Photo Album: Sam McDonald Photos 

Heritage Grove Trail – Sam McDonald County Park
Trail Center Work Day Report
September 11, 2021

On Saturday, September 11, we returned to San Mateo County’s Sam
McDonald Park to work on the historic Heritage Grove Trail. This park
was deeded to the County by the turn of 19th Century landholder, a
former groundskeeper for Stanford University, and is perhaps one of
only two non-urban parks named after an African American Californian.

The weather was perfect for trail work. 65 to 75 degrees, clear
skies, and no wind. The entire trail was well shaded, and the soil
was easily workable, consisting of a good mix of organic duff and
mineral underlay.

We staged the 17 volunteers (including Trail Center crew leaders and
boss) at the Sam McDonald parking lot. They were then shuttled to the
Alpine Road trailhead where the Trail Center trailer awaited. SMCP
supplied the milled and drilled lumber, foundation stakes, specialty
tools, and gas powered electrical generator required for installation.
Chief Ranger Dave Vasquez assisted throughout the workday. He, Sean,
and Tom went above and beyond the call of duty to carry the very heavy
8x8x 3ft timbers the ¼ mile uphill to the worksites.

The Trail Center demolished and replaced two rotting half-century old
staircases. Dave C’s crew installed 10 new steps and 3 not previously
identified between Mileposts 23 and 24. Judd’s crew replaced 5 steps
at a particularly steep portion immediately above Milepost 24. Hank’s
crew brushed and re-established tread over a ¼ mile length of trail.
Jerroll and Tiara cleaned up the junction at Milepost 23, rerouting
hikers onto the existing trail and clearing debris from the drainage
culvert.

Remaining work scheduled for Saturday, October 9, includes two more
steps at Dave C’s worksite, complete demolition and replacement of
Staircase # 4, ¼ miles above Milepost 24, and brushing and treadwork
of Heritage Grove Trail annex to the Sierra Club Hiking Hut. The gas
powered Shindaiwa hedge trimmer, supplied by the Trail Center, will be
required for this work.
The October work shall require of SMCP:
Qty 10 8x8x 3 ft timbers, pre-drilled three times as previously
Qty 50 foundation stakes

Special thanks to Dave V for providing materials and equipment, Dave C
for driving the trailer, and to Kathy and Larry for coordinating our
glorious volunteers.

Project: Memorial Park

Photo Album: Memorial Park - Homestead Trail Photos 

Memorial Park – Homestead Trail
Trail Center Work Day Report
June 26, 2021

On Saturday, June 26, the Trail Center returned to Homestead Trail in San Mateo County’s Memorial Park. This was the third of three scheduled workdays with the goal of recommissioning the trail in time for the 100 year anniversary reopening 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 with overcast skies that cleared by late morning, temperatures in the high 50s to the low 70s. The trail tread is a mix of organic, sandy, sandstone soil, nicely workable even after this season’s lower than average precipitation.

We staged the trailer and volunteers in the overflow lot at the Huckleberry Flat picnic area. Ranger Dave Vasquez had previously staged the required materials and tools nearby at Milepost 14. SMCP staff unlocked the gates and opened up the restroom in anticipation of our arrival.
Karl and Helen’s crew began at the unfinished retaining wall (tan oak fallen onto Douglas fir) and proceeded east to the Azalea Flat Campground for brushing, reestablishing trail width, and ensuring proper outslope. Along the way, Stu Smith and Jennifer replaced the rotted first stair step at the Milepost 6 staircase. After lunch, the crew remobilized to Huckleberry and proceeded east to complete all tread work on the Azalea-to-Huckleberry stretch of the Homestead Trail before heading west to perform the same work on 0.1 mile of the trail between Huckleberry and Homestead. Their work on these portions is truly impressive.

Judd’s crew designed and built a redwood bridge crossing a major drainage (second only to the extensive bridge and culvert over Pomponio Creek). The new and level redwood bridge replaces a rotted, slippery, and dangerously steep set of planks installed many decades ago. The bridge has the added advantage of leading hikers away from the precipitous outer edge of the trail to the more stable and maintainable inner bench. Upon completion of the bridge, they removed several toe-tripping roots on the approach, taking care to leave enough remaining to maintain the stability of the trail.

Dave’s crew attempted to resume and complete construction of the retaining wall where a tan oak had fallen onto a Douglas fir and had narrowed the trail. Disappointingly, they were immediately attacked by ground bees and after multiple stings, discretion became the better part of valor. Ceding the battle but not the war, they regrouped and successfully designed and installed not one, not two, but THREE retaining walls at especially narrow portions of the trail west of the planned work area. These walls will buy Homestead Trail several decades’ protection against erosion and sloughing into Pescadero Creek. Due to the persistence of bees at the planned location (both the Trail Center and San Mateo County Vector Control were unable to locate the nest), the Trail Center recommends that completion of this wall be postponed until winter when the hive will be dormant. In the meantime, the trail is passable to those who tread lightly. SMCP may want to consider filling in the construction hole this summer (preferably early in the morning and by staff wearing earth-tone clothing) and placing standard bee warning sign in order to ensure the public’s safety.

Summary:
Except for the above mentioned retaining wall, all work on the Azalea-to-Huckleberry section of the Homestead Trail is complete.

West of Huckleberry Flat, the Trail Center has completed approximately 0.1 mile of trail tread work. The pending two-tiered retaining wall at the decommissioned utility bridge remains to be addressed.

The Trail Center Projects Committee will convene Tuesday, July 6, to discuss a timeline for returning to Memorial Park to complete all portions of the Homestead Trail.