MJR Trail Crew

At the time of this report, Holcomb Creek Trail is closed to the public due to damage from the fires of 2007. Escorted by the US Forest Service, we volunteered 311 hours in an all-day effort to begin trail repairs. Here is what we accomplished.

The land is scorched and barren and the trees are blackened throughout most of the trail. Our mission was to begin tasks towards getting the trail passable so we won’t have too many interruptions on future workdays. Twenty-one people came out to help us write the trail maintenance plan. Greg was a little shocked at first, we think, to have so many of us out for a plan day, (maybe shocked isn’t the right word!?) but in the end it worked out perfectly and the group completed 9 projects already.

Project 1: This sign had been dug up and tossed aside, but is now back and standing tall. (below)

Project 2: This illegal motorcycle route is now temporarily blocked. Fresh tracks were spotted throughout. (lower left) Project 3: The wire fence was repaired with zip ties. (lower right)

Project 4: Smaller logs and branches were tossed downhill to keep the trail clear. The fires passing through took most of the bushes and ground cover and many of the trees are charred.

Project 5: This eroded section of trail left the trail barely wide enough to pass. We decided it would be worth it to stay on this spot for a while to help prevent further damage to the trail. Rocks and other debris were placed in the hole to widen the trail. Heavier rocks for the base were winched into position. The trail is now passable.

Project 6, Tree #1: This tree, blocking the trail, already had illegal motorcycle paths bypassing it! The crew made a plan and began work. Max and Kurt got out the axes and Greg began to chainsaw. Once broken free, heavier pieces of trunk were winched off the trail. The trail is now safe to pass.

The Rock Garden rocks are still there - but the bushes and leaves are not. It’s kind of an eerie scene. The fire burned many trees to the ground, including their roots. In some places, there are trunk-sized holes in the ground from where a tree once stood.

Project 7, Tree #2: Approaching 3PM, we came around the corner to downed tree #2. More chainsaw action courtesy of Greg and winching got this section of trail cleared relatively quickly.

Project 8, Tree #3. Yet another! The crew makes a plan and gets to work. Greg begins on the chainsaw, two winches and stabilizing straps are hired for the job. Rick and Kurt winched the tree loose after the cut. The trail is now passable.

Project 9, Tree #4: We turned the corner, and, you guessed it - another tree. This one was diagonally in the road and Rick’s jeep was just a bit too tall to pass underneath! Back to work we went. Thank you, Greg, for all of your hard work keeping these trails open.

We also performed our regular duties such as picking up trash along the way. It was one of our best days ever in the forest and we are very proud to have the chance to work on this trail.