Project: San Mateo Memorial Park
Pomponio Trail - Memorial Park
Trail Center Work Day Report
October 13, 2018
On Saturday, October 13, we returned to San Mateo County’s Memorial Park to work on the long anticipated and recently reopened Pomponio Trail. The trail had been closed for years due to washed out piers under the footbridge at the park’s northwest corner west of Mt Ellen. SMCP recently replaced the damaged bridge with a 36” culvert, and the park rangers were eager to restore the long neglected trail and welcome visitors to this scenic stretch. The Trail Center was thrilled to participate in this important work, and its crews brought this enthusiasm to Saturday’s workday.
The weather was clear, with unseasonably warm temperatures in the high 80’s by workday’s end. The trail tread is a mix of organic, sandy, sandstone soil, mostly workable after last month’s rain. The work area was partially under Douglas fir tree shade and partially under full sun. Our 20 volunteers included a nice mix of experienced and first time volunteers.
As on previous workdays, we staged the trailer and volunteers in the pull-out area immediately before the park entrance kiosk. Ranger Matt Auda-Capel transported our tools to the trailhead in the SMCP pick-up, and he and Dave C helped shuttle volunteers up the hill to the worksite.
Hank’s, Karl’s, and Tim’s crew began at the new culvert, brushing, restoring tread width, and outsloping nearly a quarter mile of trail. Judd’s and George’s crew did similar work for the next quarter mile, including the addition of one drain and the reattachment of existing retaining wall lumber to hat channels. Special kudos to Dave C, the Grim Reaper, for preceding all crews; luckily for all, neither he nor the Shindaiwa ran out of gas.
The Trail Center looks forward to returning to Pomponio Trail, possibly later this spring, to complete the portion between Flag 24 and the Mt Ellen trail network. The Trail Center Projects Committee will coordinate with the Memorial Park rangers to plan this next phase.
Thanks to Dave C for driving the trailer, to Kathy for coordinating our glorious volunteers, and to Larry signing in the volunteers at the beginning of the day and for catering the snacks and beverages at the end of the day.
