Project: Skyline Trail
Photo Album: Skyline Trail Photos
On Saturday, January 12, Trail Center returned gave some love to the Skyline Trail, bringing 29 experienced and new volunteers to the task of general maintenance, with a focus on removing accumulated slough & duff to restore tread width and some drainage work. The project spanned a 1.5 mi section starting north of the Molder Trail junction. We were fortunate to catch a break in a series of rain storms that, but it remained chilly with some mist as the day wrapped up.
Volunteers parked at the El Corte de Madera OSP parking lot and either shuttled or walked on the Sierra Morena trail about 0.8 mi to reach the Molder Trail pullout on Skyline Blvd where the trailer was staged. Thanks to Brendan Dolan of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District for coordinating a permit for our group that day.
This trail runs between Huddart and Wunderlich county parks just east off the ridge and Skyline Blvd in Redwood City/Woodside areas. This trail is maintained by San Mateo County Parks, but lies largely on California Water Service Company property, and presumably is accessible due to an easement. Our SMCP contact for the project was ranger Rogelio Castaneda.
In order from south to north the crew leaders were…
Hank, who had a group of relatively new volunteers who dug right into the work of removing exposed roots in the trail, brushing, clearing duff from inside edge and removing debris.
Karl and Tim Moore paired up to lead the next section’s crew, also focused on restoring tread width and trimming back some growth of saplings and cutting a dead “widowmaker”.
Bill’s crew tackled some areas where the tread had become uneven before overgrowth had been trimmed back. They did a great job restoring an even bench and outslope, improving drains, and more of that slough and debris removal.
Dave Croker’s crew also cleaned up some long stretches and made a number of well-developed “nicks” for drainage.
At the far end, Woody led a very game group who had to hike out the furthest. They had some of the most challenging sections in terms of the amount of slough to remove and also a fair amount of berry bramble that had grown into the trail. They also had to remove some roots that were hazards after the slough was removed.
Overall, we were able to address nearly all the areas planned for the day. The lesson trail boss Judd re-resolved keep project work areas 1 mi. max in length.
Snacks were served at the pullout. We made due with the coolers as flat surfaces, as the classic folding tables had accidentally been left out of the trailer when we packed up at Hidden Villa last month.
Hank awarded teen volunteer Alex his green hat for his participation in at least 4 work days. Alex and his associates have made strong contributions to projects including Hidden Villa and Sugarloaf Mountain Open Space.
Thanks to Larry for snacks and Dave Croker for bringing the trailer.
Judd Volino
1/22/19