“The Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation is a broad base of unified stakeholders committed to creating, enhancing, preserving and promoting nonmotorized use of Big Bear Valley trails and roadways for the enjoyment and transportation of residents and visitors.”
The Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation cleared a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail this past Sunday, October 23rd. The area of the PCT was south of Hanna Flat Campground, in a beautiful area with views of Holcomb Valley and the Butler 2 Fire. A large portion of the trail had buckthorn growing onto it, so crews attacked and pushed the buckthorn back.
Peter did a wonderful job organizing the effort, and Siri, the USFS Certified Sawyer cleared some down trees. Tiger and Parker the dogs even joined the fun, getting nice and muddy in some of the streams. A big thanks to volunteers from the Trails Foundation and High Trails Outdoor Science School for all of the support, good energy, and smiling faces.
At the last Trails Foundation board meeting, we got into a healthy debate about opening and closing trails. Right now we’re pushing hard to develop the Skyline Trail, and US Forest Service district supervisor Scott Tangenberg is doing a fantastic job talking with us and helping to support this project. Scott though, like all of us, has to report to someone up the ladder. And, reading between the lines, what those people up high are saying goes something like this…”You all want to build a new trail? Fine. But first, we have to address all of the illegal trails that are already on the mountain. Until we do that…”.
What illegal trails? Some of the very well known and used trails near Snow Summit are, indeed, technically illegal. Towne Trail. Plantation Trail. Trick or Treal. Fern. Pirates. All…illegal. These are good trails, you say, and should be part of the trail system. The Forest Service does realize this, and they are actually working to make some of these aforementioned trails 100% legal, on the books, and supported by the government. However, these trails are just a small part of the illegal trails that the Forest Service is really worried about. And their worries become our problems.
Come join the Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation, meet some locals, see a different area of Big Bear, rehabilitate a trail, and do some good!
We’ll be heading out to a section of the Pacific Crest Trail above Fawnskin and YMCA Camp Whittle on Sunday, October 23rd. Seems that last winter, and the fire burns, have wreaked havoc on the PCT and the Forest Service just doesn’t have the tax dollars to maintain it in perfect condition. So…we’re going to pitch in and help out a bit. Meet at the Fawnskin Triangle at 9am with dirty work clothes, gloves, water bottles, and lunch. We’ll caravan up to where 3N12 hits the PCT and start from there.
Finish time will be around 1pm….just enough time to hop on your bike and ride the nearby Grout Bay Trail, a fantastic singletrack and fireroad mountain bike loop.
All of us know what a great asset the Pedal Path on the North Shore is for our Valley. No it’s not a great challenging path for strong hikers or riders. It is just a great path for families and folks who want a nice hike or ride along the lake. And I am sure we have all been concerned about the poor condition of the path. YEA for USFS. It has now been patched and repaired and is ready for winter. Thanks to those folks for getting the job done. I would add that this is going to be an on going issue and together we ought to think about how to keep this treasure in good repair.
We made it out to the 7 Oaks trail again last Wednesday for a productive hour or so of trail maintenance. It’s amazing how much you can get done in a short amount of time. It’s equally amazing how much fun this “work” can be! We’ll keep rocking the Wednesday night fun fests, so get involved!
Meet at Aspen Glen Picnic Area Wednesday at 5 pm ready to ride your bike up to 7 Oaks Trail (5 miles round trip).
OR
Meet at Upper 7 Oaks Trailhead Wednesday at 5:30pm.
We’ll work, get dirty, and laugh for a solid hour and then head back down. Everyone is welcome!
Email peter@trailsfoundation.org if you have questions.
The Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation cleared a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail this past Sunday, October 23rd. The area of the PCT was south of Hanna Flat Campground, in a beautiful area with views of Holcomb Valley and the Butler 2 Fire. A large portion of the trail had buckthorn growing onto it, so crews attacked and pushed the buckthorn back.
At the last Trails Foundation board meeting, we got into a healthy debate about opening and closing trails. Right now we’re pushing hard to develop the Skyline Trail, and US Forest Service district supervisor Scott Tangenberg is doing a fantastic job talking with us and helping to support this project. Scott though, like all of us, has to report to someone up the ladder. And, reading between the lines, what those people up high are saying goes something like this…”You all want to build a new trail? Fine. But first, we have to address all of the illegal trails that are already on the mountain. Until we do that…”.
Come join the Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation, meet some locals, see a different area of Big Bear, rehabilitate a trail, and do some good!
Posted in San Bernardino National Forest, Trail Maintenance, Volunteer | Comments (0)