Author: John Harch

Ryan Spitz of Shasta Trail Runs has been forced to cancel several running events recently, but is moving forward with this big race in MS on June 20. In addition, he is naming the Mount Shasta Trail Association as the beneficiary of the event in support of our ongoing trail-building efforts. Sign up by clicking the button below:

Hope you can participate, volunteer, or go watch. Thanks.

On Saturday, May 30, the Boy Scouts partnered with MSTA to trim and clean up the Spring Hill Trailhead. About 30 volunteers showed, including more than 20 Boy Scouts and their leaders/fathers. Everyone worked really hard and whipped the place into shape in about 90 minutes. Massive piles of weeds and slash were hauled away.

The photos show the 4-6 foot-high weeds, full wheel barrows, a very young helper with his own mower and gloves and rake (worth seeing), and the final result. The Boy Scouts worked their tails off.

Thanks to everyone.

On Saturday, May 30, MSTA is partnering with the Boy Scouts and Crystal Geyser to weed and clean up the area around the Spring Hill Trailhead. The Boy Scouts will arrive about 8 am, set up, and begin working. The rest of us can show up then, or around 9 when things are organized. We’ll keep appropriate distances, and you can wear a mask if you like.

Bring weed whackers, rakes, gloves, and water (or just use our tools). I suspect we’ll have a big enough group that it won’t take long.

Thanks.

There are some very pretty dogwoods blooming on the Gateway Trail right now, especially on the Foundation Trail segment. On foot, the easiest way to access that area is to walk up the gravel road (east) from the Gateway Trailhead (approx. 3/8 mile), then turn right at the signs for the Foundation Trail. It’s about another 3/8 of a mile in. This photo was taken on 5/6/20, and the doggies are even more spectacular today.

Yesterday, the second of three new kiosks was installed along the Lake Siskiyou Trail by MSTA volunteers, near the restrooms at North Shore. Soon, permanent maps (with “Your Are Here” designations) will be placed on the kiosks to identify the entire lake trail.

Why can’t we install the third, new kiosk in the campground? The story will follow in another posting, and you will be mad, fighting mad.

Stay tuned.

Today, about 20 volunteers gathered off Hwy 89 to clean up some illegal dump sites. This energetic group, aided by three dump trailers (thanks to Sean Doyle, Buzz Knight, and Ruth Altes) removed tons of garbage in 40 minutes. Refuse removal has turned into a sport! One photo shows a volunteer who’s having so much fun she appears to be dancing.

See you next time.

This past week, two work events happened that improved our little city. On Wed., April 22, over 20 people showed up to pick up garbage (yes, there’s nothing like removing trash to get these folks excited). The group searched every nook and cranny on N. MS Blvd. from Alma to the freeway, then along Spring Hill Rd. to the dump, and on Abrams Lake to the Graffiti Bridge. Six pickup loads of junk were taken to the dump. We were such good social distancers!

On Sat., April 25, about 20 determined people showed up to assist Terez Maniatis (of Native Grounds Nursery) and the Beautification Committee of MS in weeding, raking, and cleaning the median strip on Lake St. We’ll look back on the attached photo and laugh about wearing masks while working, but it’s the responsible thing to do.

Thanks to everyone!

Stuck in your house because of Covid-19? No problem. Let’s get out and clean up Mt. Shasta.

The Mt. Shasta Trail Association and Clean and Safe Mt. Shasta are having a socially distant Earth Day cleanup on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at 9 am. We’ll meet at the corner of Alma St. and N. Mt. Shasta Blvd. Anyone approaching closer than 6 ft. will be slapped with a gloved 2X4.

We’ll split into groups of one (or more if you bring family members) and spread out heading north on Mt. Shasta Blvd. and Spring Hill Rd. We plan to clean up all the way to the dump. Dump fees will be covered, so don’t worry about gathering a big load of garbage.

This will be more fun than when the hogs ate my brother.

For questions, call John Harch at 859-2454.

In recent years, the MSTA has spent Earth Day in Castle Crags State Park clearing trails, thinning brush, rebuilding the theatre in the campground, etc. It is usually a big event, with 30 or 40 volunteers from a variety of communities.

This year we’ve had to cancel the event due to social distancing requirements. But Mark Telegin, ever the eager workhorse, suggested we have “Earth Day on your own.” He wants to encourage everyone to get out on their favorite trails, trim encroaching brush, rake leaves or pine needles, and pick up trash. Or, just look for problems, take pictures, and report it to MSTA so we can get crews out there when it’s safe to be together again.

You should know that the USFS has closed their public lands to all volunteer work (for the same reason), so those are the areas to take photos and make reports (unless you just can’t stop yourself from picking up that discarded beer can!).

Attached is a photo of two Marks (Telegin and Foster) working in Castle Crags State Park last year, where a major thinning/cleanup was done.

Keep up the muscle-powered recreation!

The USFS has asked us to post a notice about temporary closures of the Lollipop Trail and the first section of the Gateway Trail due to logging in the area. The closure will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 12, and possibly extend to Feb. 17, 2020.

Also, please do not remove the orange flagging in the area. Mt. Shasta Trail Association volunteers have spent many hours flagging trails so that the loggers don’t obliterate them.

For further information and maps, please refer to the Shasta Trinity National Forest Facebook page or the Mt. Shasta Trail Association Facebook page.