We had another very successful work day on the Gabrielino January 14^th.  A total of 14 people showed up, including at least one first time trail worker, Mike Stoner.  The crews hiked in from the access road halfway between Clear Creek and Redbox.  One crew, headed by Steve Messer of CORBA, worked up while the other, led by Mitch Marich of MWBA, worked down towards where we left off in December.  The crews cleared and rock-armored several drainages, cut back brush, repaired damaged trail tread, and cleared rock and other debris from the trail. Several groups of hikers and cyclists came through as the work was being done, more than we saw during the last trailwork day in December.  At the same time, Mike and Robin McGuire went up to Red Box and worked down with his chain saw, removing anything blocking the trail and meeting up with Steve’s group.  Mitch’s group worked down to within 1/4 mile of where we stopped the last time, so almost all the trail is rideable.  Most of us then gathered at the parking above Switzers for a deli type lunch provided by MWBA.  Afterwards, five PMBC riders organized a shuttle to christen our efforts with a ride.  “That’s the best reward ever,” said Jenny Johnson, “being able to ride a trail you helped restore.”

Not satisfied with the work they already did, Steve and Mike McGuire attacked a rat’s nest of down trees near the picnic area, finishing up just as the riders showed up to do a little raking and tidying up.  There is still a lot of Poodle Dog, a downed tree or two, and some rough drainage crossings, but nothing to keep us from having fun.  As of our last inspection after the day’s work, one drainage still needs repair, and one downed tree needs to be removed.  The “waterfall” rock garden has become more technical, and most will want to hike that section. Stay tuned for future opportunities to improve the trail.

From Steve Messer’s report with minor edits:

On a cool and mostly clear Saturday, we joined CORBA to work on the Gabrielino trail. The Gabrielino between Switzers and Redbox was opened to the public back in May 2011, though the trail has had little attention and was in very poor shape. Through many sections the old trail is simply non-existent.  Starting at Switzer’s Day Use area, the volunteers worked their way up the trail.

At the outset, two large trees were removed from the trail. These had toppled in the ferocious wind storm of November 30, 2011, and were not present when the trail was surveyed for work a week earlier. A third tree remains and is too massive to move with hand tools. The yellow warning signs greeting trail users on trails that pass through burn zones have a clear message:  Trees, weakened by the fire, pose a considerable hazard and may fall at any time. Especially now, more than two years after Station Fire, dead trees are beginning to rot and weaken. Falling trees will continue to be a danger for years to come.

The volunteer trail crews, led by Mitch Marich of the MWBA, and Hans Kiefer and Steve Messer from CORBA, rebuilt two severely damaged drainages that required extensive rock retaining walls and rock armoring. In addition, tread was outsloped and widened along many narrowed sections and the brush was cut back. The crews worked on approximately 1.3 miles of trail, from Switzers to the second stream crossing and switchbacks. Afterwards, they feasted on pizza brought up by Mike and Robin McGuire.

Some sections of the trail now run along the alluvial wash at the base of the canyon. This was created by the tremendous water and debris flows of the past two winters. However, all of the trail worked on by the crew is now easily negotiable for trail users (with the exception of the one large downed tree that remains). With another day’s work in January, we hope to have the entire trail clear of significant obstacles and seeing regular use once again.