Fall Trail Crew Work

[Paul Wagner]

The first day was in Desolation Wilderness, where I hiked to Suzie and Gilmore Lakes, tidying up small amounts of trash, and cleaning up one major campsite construction.

It was a perfect fall day: the sun was out, the sky was blue, and the colors were bright. I met only sixteen hikers in eleven miles of hiking, including one SOBO PCT hiker, still hoping to finish the Sierra before the snows hit.

The second day was far shorter, but much harder, as I joined fellow-volunteer Eric and ACE intern Alyssa on a tree-cutting trip up the trail from Caples to Emigrant Lake. We sawed through a dozen trees, ranging in size from about ten to thirty inches, all done with a buck saw, because no power tools are permitted in the wilderness.

Happily, we managed to get through them all, except for one major hazard tree that will require a larger crew with additional tools.

Meanwhile, we got our exercise sawing through these trees and then rolling and prying them off the trail. Another beautiful day in the Sierra.

Here’s a link to the photos from the second day:https://photos.app.goo.gl/K1RvxhzYPHxCJUE49

[Bonzo]

That’s a workout, for sure.  I’ve cut with those saws before, and despite a well-set one being an absolute joy to use, it’s still a lot of effort.  Makes you appreciate the sweat that went into everything before we had power tools.

[Paul Wagner]

Agreed. Sure makes you realize you don’t need the gym on trail work days…

[Author]

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