Saturday's project began at the Mount Hood National Forest work center in Zigzag. Forest Service trail supervisor Mary Ellen Fitzpatrick helped lead the project today, and here she gives a rundown on tool safety to TAO volunteers (from left) Chuck, Chizuru (Chi), Pete, Jen and Amanda:
The project plan was to split into two groups, with Steve leading one team and Mary Ellen the other - here, they're reviewing radio protocol to keep the teams in touch:
The tools of the day included loppers and several tools for repairing the trail tread - also in the pile of supplies is a new sign to replace one lost to the elements:
Once at the Old Salmon River Trailhead, the group receives a few more instructions before splitting up:
Four TAO volunteers joined Mary Ellen for the trip to the main Salmon River Trailhead, where the second group would focus their work - from left, Jamie, Chuck, Mary Ellen and Chi (with Tom behind the camera):
The second group focused on the first couple miles of the Salmon River Trail, from the trailhead to the wilderness boundary. We hiked to the far end, then began working our way back, trail tending along the way. Here's Mary Ellen and Jamie crossing the bridge near the wilderness boundary - Jamie worked as Mary Ellen's "swamper", helping clear away logs cut with the chainsaw:
Chi works on the main task for the second group - lopping brush that encroached on the trail. In a normal year, the trail would have been lush with spring flowers by mid-May, but in this very cold winter, there were still snow drifts across the trail:
Here, Mary Ellen cuts one of the many logs that had fallen across the Salmon River and Old Salmon River trails over the past winter:
In addition to lopping trailside brush, the group also repaired several drainage ditches and water bars along the way, like this one:
Another important part of the project was removing debris from the inside of the trail tread, and re-establishing an even path - here's Jamie using a trail hoe to restore the trail:
Meanwhile, the first group had cleared a lot of logs along the Old Salmon River Trail under Steve's supervision. Here, Pete and Jane are replacing a trail sign near one of the many trailheads along this section of trail:
Steve shows off one of the larger logs that was cleared from the Old Salmon River Trail - don't try this at home! Steve has been certified by the Forest Service to operate chainsaws on trail projects:
The two groups met toward the end of the day to wrap up the project, and begin packing up the tools - from left are Tom, Jamie, Chuck (with trailbuilder tool), Pete and Jane:
It was a fun, rewarding day for everyone - but as a reminder of why we volunteer to do this work, we saw many hikers along the trail today, and all were very appreciative of TAOs efforts to be trail stewards... especially this little guy:
Thanks for your hard work, everyone - and thanks Steve and Mary Ellen for leading today's project!
-Tom