PCT Region 1 Section E

New Signposts on Pelona Ridge

2011-12-31T21:00:00.000-08:00

Dec 30: Dave and I scouted the burn area atop Pelona Ridge and placed the new fireproof replacement signposts. We found that the September 2011 Mint Fire burned across about a mile of the PCT.

Next Project: December 30 in the Sierra Pelonas

2011-12-18T13:04:00.000-08:00

Trail users have reported that several signs went missing or burned on the south face of Pelona Ridge, site of a brush fire this year. Dave Fleischman and I will be placing attractive new signposts (on fireproof aluminum poles) in this area above Mint Canyon Rd on Dec 30. We could use two more helpers to assist in carrying the posts and tools to the placement sites. Contact me (hikevv "at" gmail dot com) to sign up, and we'll rideshare or meet at the trailhead.

Next PCTA Project: October 29

2011-10-07T18:15:00.000-07:00

On October 29, we'll be out for a day of brush clearing and tread repair in Spunky Canyon. Students of the Wildland Fire Academy at Antelope Valley College will join us, but we could still use your help! Contact me to sign up.

Nik Petrik's Eagle Scout Project

2011-10-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

Eagle Scout Candidate Nik Petrik, from BSA Troop 39 in Lancaster, recently performed his Eagle service project on the PCT in Section E.
The spot under the trees in Lake Hughes Canyon has for years been a popular thruhiker rest spot, owing to its rare shade and water cache. But it had gotten rather trashy lately, partly because of the many busted-up water jugs that local volunteers have refilled for years (photo at left). Nik volunteered to lead the project to clear the area of debris and trash, but he also built this outstanding picnic table and water cabinet, matched them with an unobtrusive shade of green paint, and with help from family and members of Troop 39, brought them out and placed them under the trees.
According to the trail register at Green Valley, one of the, if not the first, thruhiker to make use of the table, was Scott Williamson on his southbound attempt to break the PCT thruhike speed record.
Big thanks to Nik, his family, friends, and Troop 39 for doing such a great job at making this stopping point more welcoming and usable for the trail users.

FYI

2011-09-10T20:23:00.000-07:00

Due to the fire danger in our region, we are under USFS order to refrain from using power equipment in our maintenance projects in the ANF. If we get some significant moisure it could change, but since Section E is largely brush abatement work, we're not planning any projects for September. We may try for October 1, but not holding our breath.

Aug 25-26 Brushing Party on Liebre Mtn

2011-08-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

Pete and Jerry cut, and Wildland Fire Academy students from Antelope Valley College came out to clear and tread, during some of the hottest days of this summer.

Congrats to them, and they cleared about a third of a mile of trail in just two days. This segment of PCT requires frequent brushing, so the outstanding help that the students provide is greatly valued.
Next time out there it's bound to be cooler....

Work Project in Section D

2011-06-12T20:13:00.001-07:00

This is what the PCT looks like north of Mill Creek Summit (just shy of Big Buck Camp). Some blowdowns still block the trail, but the Forest Service is gradually working the trail northbound. We found this segment to be real work to tread out, as it was mostly just clearing the deep slump on top of the existing tread.

May 21: Section E is Ready for the Season!

2011-05-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

Today was the final day of work in my area before the thruhikers arrive. Since last June the PCT here has been the target of much brushing, tossing, sawing, trail rebuilding and treading. So with Pete Fish on Sawmill Mtn cutting the last of the blowdowns, and this excellent crew of volunteers working to cut back brush in San Francisquito Canyon, today marks the completion of Section E readiness for the approaching herd of thruhikers. To celebrate the work of all Sec. E volunteers over the past 11 months, the crew posed for this makeshift ribbon-cutting photograph. It was a great day with a fun crew and perfect weather, and I also snapped the attached photo of local "Trail Angels" Joe and Terri Anderson of Green Valley next to the register box. After our day of hard work, we joined Joe and Terri and several thru's for grilled chicken and Taco salad at the Andersons; a good time was had by all.
Congratulations and thanks to all who helped maintain Section E for 2011.

Sawmill - Liebre Inventory

2011-05-13T14:32:00.000-07:00

On May 8, Section Chief Dave Fleischman and I walked from Bear CG to Burnt Peak Junction and cleared the trail of remaining debris. There was only one tree that we could not cut out, push away, or otherwise remove, and that one is easy for hikers to get around. And Pete Fish plans to get out on May 21 with a chain saw to clear that one.
We also apparently just missed Pat Aubuchon's Trail Boss crew, but we did find evidence of their work near Burnt Peak Junction. Great work, Pat, and please thank the scouts for us.
But the trail is now 100% snow-free, very green, and ready for 'The Herd' of thruhikers to arrive soon!

Next Work Project in Section E: May 21

2011-05-02T21:58:00.001-07:00

PCTA volunteers will be out for a day of brush removal and treading in San Francisquito Canyon on May 21. We'll meet at the Green Valley Fire Station and after shuttling a short distance up the road to the PCT crossing, we'll walk southbound on the trail, just up the hill, to the work area. To sign up for this project, send me a note at hikevv@gmail.com.

April 16-19 Work Project

2011-04-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

About 20 volunteers came out for this four day project in Section E this weekend. A larger work crew worked the weekend to complete the brushing and treading to Horse Camp, on Monday a smaller crew built a support wall around a wide rock obstacle above Upper Shake Campground, and Tuesday saw them brushing behind the sag pond in Pine Canyon. Dick and Blair provided packer support for the saws and heavier equipment, and cleared the trail of several blowdowns. We also re-marked the route down to the spring from Horse Camp, as several large blowdowns obliterated the previously used route. The owners of Rancho Corona del Valle just down the road were our generous overnight hosts, and Doris was our cook. Congrats and BIG THANKS to all.

Calendar Update

2011-03-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

John Hachey updated the Region 1 projects calendar and posted it here.

Next Work Project April 16-19

2011-03-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

We're currently planning a 4-day brushing project in Section E, for April 16-19. Look for details here soon, but we're currently thinking of brushing the Bear CG area. We'd probably camp at Bear CG. Contact me if interested in participating; we'll try to get a bigger bunch out there on the weekend days, probably have just a few on the weekdays.
Other than that, the word right now is that no trees currently block the trail, and it's in good shape for 2011. That being said, I'm sure that the Trail Gorillas will be working blowdowns at Horse Camp, and we know we have some buckthorn in that area as well that we didn't finish cutting back last year.

Liebre North Slope

2011-01-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

The trail on the north slope of Liebre Mountain was cleared of blowdowns over the weekend by local volunteers Dick and Blair, and they also took this photo. Big thanks! Local hikers who wish to use the trail soon should expect to see snow on the trail, but for now the trail is cleared.

July 24 in the Station Fire Burn Area

2010-07-25T21:37:00.001-07:00

Not in my area, but I worked with this awesome crew on the PCT this weekend installing timbers to mitigate runoff in the big burn area. It was hot, dirty work but the crew held up well. Pictured here are PCTA, Sierra Club, San Gabriel Trailbuilders, High Desert Runners, and Student Conservation Association members, along with Forest Service workers. Some of these same SCA kids worked with us in May in Section E.

June 19: Buckthorn Madness

2010-06-20T17:49:00.000-07:00

Section E gets great volunteers! We had a good day this weekend with a work party 18 strong. Just take a look at this buckthorn crowding the trail on the lower slope of Liebre Mtn. It's as bad as it looks, pokey, scratchy, and plain awful. After the Pine Fire of 2004, and the massive rains of spring '05, the awful plants return faster, but I guess in so doing they hold everything in place and reduce erosion until the plant population matures with more oak and other stuff.
But with 4 sawyers and 14 for removal, we managed to make nearly a half mile of progress.
This year is the second time we've brushed this stretch hard since 2005.
I also found a 2005 photo from after the fire & flood, taken from my tripod at almost the exact same spot as one I took yesterday. Take a look, then vs now, and see how this area has changed over the last five years due to nature and volunteer labor:

Latest Announcement

2010-06-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

I posted John Hachey's latest Region 1 newsletter here.
We have an awesome team of volunteers (over a dozen, I think) for the work project this Saturday! I'll see some of you out there.

Next Project: June 19 Brushing on Liebre Mtn

2010-06-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

We'll clear heavy brush on the north slope of Liebre Mtn, where the trail descends to Pine Canyon Road. We'll start work roughly a mile above the road and work up toward Horse Camp. As we’re working, we may meet thruhikers on the trail as they hike northbound on the PCT. PCTA will supply all equipment and tools. Volunteers should bring a sack lunch, minimum 2 qts water, leather work gloves, robust footwear, sun protection, and wear long-sleeve clothing.
Volunteers should meet at the pullout at 0745am on June 19. The pullout is on the south side of the road, right at a hilltop on Pine Canyon Road. By placing your home address in the 'A' field, Google can determine the shortest driving time & distance for you. If interested in volunteering, please respond to me directly at hikevv@gmail.com.

May 22-23 Work Project

2010-05-27T19:35:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend! Volunteers from the PCTA, Troop 146 of Quartz Hill, the Antelope Valley Group of the Sierra Club, and several others joined two Student Conservation Association crews and USFS reps to work in mile 498 above the Atmore Meadows Road crossing. We worked two days, and though it was a cold overnight campout, somehow we avoided getting snowed on. But the Tehachapi range to the north didn't avoid snowfall, as seen in the photo.
BIG THANKS to all the outstanding volunteers we had for this work project, including James the cook, who made our tasty and very filling meals.

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2010-05-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Reminder to all, that you can sign up for email updates here. Then whenever I post to this blog, you'll receive a notification of the update.

May 8 Status

2010-05-11T20:42:00.000-07:00

Dave and I inventoried from Liebre Mtn summit southbound to Atmore Meadows Road, and took waypoints on blowdowns across the trail. Pete and Jerry are getting those, and for the segment above Atmore Meadows Road, we're calling all volunteers for a May 22-23 work party. For Saturday, Sunday, or both. We'll camp Saturday night, and Sunday will be a shorter workday. Contact me at hikevv@gmail.com to get on the roster.

Next Project

2010-04-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

A backpacker has informed us of several blowdowns between Mile 500 and Horse Camp. Look for info here soon for a possible work project to clear the trail.
On another note, The Herd of 2010 thruhikers is now starting out from San Diego County, and traffic in Section E peaks the last week of May through the first week of June. Water situation this year is pretty good, partly because our area got another winter storm last week.

April 18 Progress

2010-04-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome volunteer army of 14 out this weekend to work trail in the area of Upper Shake CG in Section E. Here's a map of what we worked.
We also received word that more trees are across the trail at Horse Camp. Look for an announcement here when we get that project scheduled.

April 18 Work Day in Sec E

2010-04-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

Volunteers will be out brushing and treading on April 18 in the area of Upper Shake CG. If you want to come out and help get the trail in shape for spring, contact me (hikevv@gmail.com) and be ready to meet HERE, at the intersection of Pine Canyon Rd and FR 7N23 at 07:30. We'll finish 2:30 at the latest.
If you have a higher-clearance vehicle, please bring it. If you don't have one, we'll try to recombine vehicles as needed at the meetup location. Volunteers should bring leather work gloves, a lunch, water, and sun protection. Long pants and shirtsleeves are a must. Pacific Crest Trail Association will provide tools.
We already have a small crew of about 6 volunteers lined up, so I know this will be a successful day.

Leona Divide 50 is April 17

2010-04-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

The Leona Divide 50 mile foot race will be held on the PCT on April 17. Here's a map of their course in Section E.

Latest Section E News

2010-04-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

Users can assist the thruhikers by offering updates to the online Water Report.
The spur trail leading up from Upper Shake CG is clogged with brush according to reports, Dave and I are looking at dates to go work it back. Will post that info here when we have it.
If anyone hikes up Liebre Mtn in the near future I'd appreciate hearing precise info on blowdowns in that area. Usually every spring we need to go in and cut them out.
I updated the calendar with John's latest.

January 24 Quick Recon

2010-01-24T20:16:00.000-08:00

I stopped to inspect the culverts that Dave Fleischman and crew installed in 2007 behind the sag pond. They were fine but I saw some blowdowns, which makes me wonder how hard these recent storms might have been on the trees up higher. For now, if anyone heads out to hike in my stretch of the PCT, I'd appreciate hearing whatever specifics you can offer about blowdowns or washouts.

Scout Troop 17 in Pine Canyon

2009-11-21T22:36:00.000-08:00

Today was a great day to be out working on the PCT! After Pete and the PCTA Trail Gorillas cleared trail this week, Palmdale Scout Troop 17 was out today to clear the cuttings off the trail.
This general area remains the most-worked part of Section E, due to the 2004 Pine Fire and heavy precipitation of the following winter. Now the chaparal is growing back with a vengeance! The PCT out here is likely to see increased traffic with Sec D closed now, but that's good, and with more trail users, the maintenance work is enjoyed by more people.

New Calendar

2009-11-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

Pete and the TG's continue brushing the Pine Canyon area. We changed the tossing day to 11/21, with a troop of Scouts working a service project. If anyone wants to join us, we'll be working behind the sag pond. Easy walk in, light work for all who decide to join us. Contact me for more info.

Section E is Still Open

2009-10-25T21:20:00.000-07:00

Wanted to let everyone know that although all or nearly all of Section D will be under closure until 9/30/10, Sec E is open for trail users. Since the Liebre / Sawmill area gets its share of hunters, I advise hikers using the PCT in that area to wear bright clothing if they hike out there. The trail is in good shape, and recent reports are that no blowdowns are across the trail.
Also, PCTA Trail Gorillas will be out periodically in the next 3 weeks to cut brush in the stretch by Pine Canyon Road, and local scouts will be clearing those cuttings on November 14.

Trail Gorillas At Horse Camp

2009-03-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

Pete, Dave, Jerry and Ed were out this month for the latest round of tree-clearing at Horse Camp. This time they even put some of the logs to good use as checkdams just below the camp. Click on the photo for a closer look at before and after.

Report of Blowdowns on Liebre Mtn

2009-02-08T18:08:00.000-08:00

Section hiker John Crawford hiked the Lake Hughes Road to Pine Canyon Road segment last weekend and reports blowdowns across the trail on the north slope of Liebre Mtn. Ref attached graphic, 001 is the highest one up the mountain (34-43.630 x 118-39.671) then many from waypoint 002 continuing north of Horse Camp (HC). Waypoint 010 is a blowdown just above the hilltop turnaround. All blowdowns do not exceed about 20" dia.
If anyone heads up to clear these, there are additional blowdowns that need clearing between Horse Camp and the spring. Follow the pink tapes that mark the way...

January 10 in Dowd Canyon

2009-01-14T20:01:00.000-08:00

January 10 marks the last of the brushing - for now - in the Spunky-Dowd segment. Congrats to Pete Fish and the Trail Gorillas, and to the adopters, the High Desert Runners! Work will continue, but this heavy brushing started 26 months ago, and is, for now, complete.

November 23: San Francisquito Cyn to Dowd Cyn Inventory

2008-12-07T18:28:00.000-08:00

I inventoried the 2 miles or so from San Francisquito Canyon to the end of the HDR segment ('Marv's Chute'). Found that the trail is fine, and added a few water bars just in time for the first storm. The brush is probably ready for a cut, mainly just in San Fran Cyn as it climbs the hill, and the first 100yds or so south of Marv's Chute. Click on the pic to enlarge.

Nov 15 Back In Dowd Canyon

2008-11-21T17:52:00.000-08:00

Pete and the Trail Gorillas, some High Desert Runners, and an Outward Bound crew worked Dowd Canyon hard last week. The gap is closing on the HDR's adopted Spunky-Dowd segment!
I was out with Steve Henrich and a crew of volunteers on Saturday for followup work. A reporter from the Antelope Valley Press accompanied to take photos and do interviews.

Bear in Camp

2008-07-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a great series of photos from the PCTA Trail Gorillas' May project up by Golden Oak Spring, in Section F in the South Sierras.

Misc Places

2008-04-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

Ray Drasher reports clearing all blowdowns between the sag pond southbound to Burnt Peak Junction. That includes the ones the PCTA volunteers didn't get in the Horse Camp area.
I walked the very upper portion of Spunky Canyon on March 16 and can report that it looks in good shape.
While not in Sec E, a crew of PCTA / American Hiking Society volunteers led by Dave Fleischman did some great work in Sec D at Vasquez Rocks two weeks ago. They installed waterbars and a great set of stone steps. Much of the park burned in a fire last year, so so re-signing was also called for. I was out on Saturday and helped with some finishing touches. Some photos are here.

Horse Camp

2008-03-24T21:50:00.000-07:00

Pete and a crew of PCTA volunteers worked to clear blowdowns at Horse Camp last week, but a few remain across the trail above the camp and so another project will be planned this spring to complete the trail-clearing.

Dowd Canyon Feb 25

2008-02-28T19:29:00.000-08:00

This week, Pete and a volunteer crew brushed and cleared 0.29 miles of trail in a single day! Status map now shows just 1.22 miles remaining to brush in Dowd Canyon.

ALSO: Pat Aubuchon reports working the northbound stretch above the Green Valley FS last month, with TrailBosses. Section E has awesome volunteers!

Bouquet Canyon - Southbound

2008-02-19T18:59:00.000-08:00

I hiked up to Pelona Ridge on Sunday - one of my favorite local hikes, and hikeable all winter. This stretch would be a good candidate for some improvements to the ORV traps. While the south side of the ridge gets the worst of the ORV traffic, this side still has had all four traps circumvented. These photos show the traps in place, but they could use some shoring up. This would be a good one- or two-day project.

Tejon Ranch Update

2008-02-17T20:21:00.000-08:00

Ray Drasher reports that he rode the Tejon Ranch segment yesterday and cut out the fallen trees (like this one) including a few more since my last inventory. Ray also reports that the segment needs treading in places, as the winter weather has done more tread damage since the October inventory. Sounds like a candidate for re-inventorying before it gets hot. This stretch burned in the 2004 Pine Fire, so we'll continue to have work. Big thanks to Ray for this report!

Feb 9 in Dowd Canyon!

2008-02-15T18:39:00.000-08:00

Most all the work was finished by Pete and the PCTA volunteers before the High Desert Runners and I got out, but we treaded and enjoyed the sunshine. It's sure green out there these days.
Now that we're beyond midway between access points, it's once again a short walk to get to the work. Here's the status map (everything in green or purple is at least cleared, and much of it treaded), and the customary group photo. Also it was great to get to work with Ian McGarrough again, he made that awesome sign in Bouquet Canyon last year, and helped a lot at Trevor's Eagle Project workday last month. Section E has awesome volunteers!

Eagle Project at Horse Camp

2008-01-22T19:53:00.000-08:00

Trevor Fry and the rest of Troop 146 of Quartz Hill worked two days at Horse Camp this weekend. I was there as well, and found a bunch of blowdowns along the trail. Here is a slideshow of photos.

Jan 12 in Dowd Canyon

2008-01-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

Was out with the High Desert Runners today for more brush-tossing in Dowd Canyon. We also replaced a signpost and did some treading. Here's a group photo (a mcleod did duty as a tripod) and a current status map. To date, 3.1 miles of the Spunky-Dowd area are now brushed.
Pete and Co. will return in a few weeks for more. Congrats to all who have contributed to the progress in the High Desert Runners' adopted stretch of the PCT!

Jan 5 Dowd Canyon Status

2008-01-05T18:00:00.000-08:00

Pete and a crew of PCTA and HDR volunteers brushed in Dowd Canyon this week, but today's wet weather prevented the High Desert Runners from getting out to clear it. Here's the latest map showing brushing progress to date, with cleared trail shown in green and the brushed but uncleared stretch in yellow:

Tejon Ranch

2007-12-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

I inventoried the Tejon Ranch segment, that report is filed here. It does not include brushing progress made by the PCTA volunteer crew on Nov 1.

Dirtbike Riders of the PCT

2007-09-08T13:02:00.000-07:00

Enjoy some trail humor here, a slideshow from photos taken by Chief Trail Boss Pat Aubuchon at the Lake Elizabeth Canyon Rd crossing earlier this year. I took the liberty of adding the fun captions.

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2007-01-01T18:29:00.000-08:00

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Contact Information

2007-01-01T13:48:00.000-08:00

Pete Fish - So Cal Regional Coordinator (Acting)
pickaxepete@sbcglobal.net
805-658-6540

Anitra Kass - So Cal PCTA Regional Representative
akass@pcta.org

Dave Fleischman - Section E Chief
owldave@hotmail.com
310-560-8299

Kevin Corcoran - Area Coordinator, Pelona Ridge to Cottonwood Bridge
hikevv@gmail.com
661-816-9196

Steve Henrich - High Desert Runners
stephen.henrich@lmco.com
henrich.com@gte.net

Patrick (Pat) Aubuchon - Chief Trail Boss
bigaub@sbcglobal.net
(818) 781-7465