Author: John Harch

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GATEWAY II TRAIL EXPANSION

The Mount Shasta Trail Association and the US Forest Service are currently engaged in a 45-mile expansion of the beloved Gateway Trail system adjacent to the city of Mt. Shasta. The existing trail network consists of 11 miles of non-motorized, multi-use trails (hiking, trail running, biking, and equestrian). This new and ambitious project will add routes extending higher up the slopes of Mount Shasta and will include a connection to the Ski Park and south end of the city. The system will have many incredible vistas and a wide variety of terrain for every type of trail enthusiast. The availability of these new trails will benefit locals who love the outdoors, and will attract numerous visitors to support the economy of Siskiyou County.
 
The work so far has included project conception, flagging of the proposed trail, and extensive environmental analysis. There is strong community support and enthusiasm for this venture. It is hoped that actual construction can begin in the next 12-18 months.
 
Cost estimates for this development are nearly a million dollars. While a significant portion of the funds will come from grants (e.g. $420,000 from The McConnell Foundation), we need individual, grassroots support to reach completion. If you can see value in this endeavor, please help by donating to the Mt. Shasta Trail Association on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018. Go online to www.northstategives.org/mountshastatrailassociation
The photos (above) show an aerial view of the Gateway II Expansion area, beauty on Gateway I, and a geezer enjoying a vista area which will be included in Gateway II.
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NEW BRIDGE FOR CASTLE CRAGS STATE PARK

A small group (Mark Telegin, Neil Jacobs, David Tucker, and Steve Russell) have put in many hours to construct a new bridge to replace a crumbling one in Castle Crags State Park. The research and engineering were done by Mark. The bridge was totally constructed in Mark’s garage, then disassembled and hauled to CCSP. On Friday morning, we’ll begin the work of prepping the site, hauling the bridge to the site, and putting it together. We could use a few extra hands. See the instructions for where to meet from Mark, below.

“I have talked to most of you about working on Friday at Castle Crags. At 9 am we will be meeting at the Flume Camp ground, out by the pond, which is about a mile up the paved road from the main entrance to the park. Bring tools for ground work like shovels, picks, rakes, loppers and gloves. There are some logs in the creek along with rocks and debris to work on. We will also be tending to the old bridge. I’m not sure how long it will take to prep the site, but we will talk about installing the new bridge while we are working and figure out when we can start on the last part of the project.”  Mark

Take a look at the bridge. Unbelievable job, I think. Guys, thanks for keeping our parks beautiful.

JH

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BIG ENCAMPMENT CLEANUP DOWNTOWN

On Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 10:30 am, we’ll be tackling the cleanup of a large abandoned encampment near Ray’s Food Place. Let’s meet on the street in front of the Treehouse Motel, just west of the Ray’s parking lot. We’ll depend on Todd and Perry to guide us to the spot. I’ll have garbage bags, rakes, brooms, and shovels, along with a pickup truck. Bring gloves and a pickup truck if you have one.
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NEW MOSSBRAE FALLS TRAIL

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Mossbrae Falls, located in Dunsmuir, California, is one of the most beautiful natural features in the northern part of the state. Spanning about 300 feet, the falls seem to gush straight out of a lush, green hillside, providing a spectacular, cascading display for visitors. The sight is so special that people travel long distances to see it, coming from all over the world.

Unfortunately, the only way to access the falls is by trespassing along an active railway, and visitors must walk within a few feet of passing trains. Several years ago, a sightseer was struck by a train and severely injured.
The Mount Shasta Trail Association has been working for nearly 20 years to establish a safer path to Mossbrae Falls, without success. In the past 18 months, however, significant progress has been made. The current plan involves locating an official trailhead at Hedge Creek Falls, then constructing a pedestrian suspension bridge across the Sacramento River where the Hedge Creek Trail ends. The trail would continue north through a forested area below the train tracks and along the river, ending at Mossbrae Falls. The final trail would encompass both falls within about a half mile.
This is an exciting development, but it will be very expensive to complete the environmental reviews and actual construction.
The Trail Association has received a large gift to cover some of the costs, and is seeking grants to cover the remainder. In the meantime, we’re fundraising to show grassroots support for this wonderful project.
Please consider donating to the Mount Shasta Trail Association on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018. The online event may be accessed using www.northstategives.org/nonprofits.
 
Stay tuned for more detailed information on this plan.
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NEW, ACCURATE MAP AT GATEWAY TRAILHEAD

After considerable effort walking the entire Gateway Trail system to obtain accurate GPS data, a new map was created and placed on the trailhead kiosk on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. It includes the new Lollipop Trail, the correct alignment for Pig Farm, the Foundation Trail, removal of “Fern Loop,” naming of major intersections, and accurate mileage measurements between all these locations. Several “you are here” signs will soon be placed at strategic locations within the trail system . Pictured is Paul Schwartz, who has been instrumental in getting this project done properly.

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MOUNT SHASTA “TRIANGLE” SPRUCE-UP

Yesterday morning a motivated group attacked the “Triangle” at the north end of town, weeding, raking, trimming, and spreading cedar bark. Thanks to Nancy and Peter Van Susteren, Neil Jacobs, Karen Aldous, Neal Posson, Lynn Linebarger, and Terez Maniatis of Native Grounds Nursery (who provided tools, cedar bark, and muscle, despite still being somewhat gimpy). This was a fun, combined effort by MSTA and the MS Beautification Committee. Attached photos are before, during, and after. By the way, in the “after” picture, you can barely see Peter removing the last two scotch broom plants.
JH
Before
Before
Clean Up
Bags
After
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SPRUCE-UPS FOR MS MEDIAN AND “TRIANGLE” ON SEPT 8 AND SEPT 22

We will be partnering with the MS Beautification Committee to trim, weed, and spruce up the median strip on Lake St. (Sat., Sept. 8 at 9 am) and the “Triangle” on N. MS Blvd., across from Point S Tire Co. (Sat., Sept. 22 at 9 am).

These are two highly visible areas that appear to most of our out-of-town visitors immediately on their arrival, so these efforts are important.

I will be out of town for Sept. 8, but there should be a good crew for that day. Hope some of you can show up for one or both mornings.

We expect that the work can be done in 1-2 hours if enough volunteers show.

JH

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Trail Job at St. Barnabas Church

We’re going to have a few “work mornings” coming up to accomplish some trail maintenance while staying out of the heat.

On Tuesday morning, July 17, at 7:30, a few of us will meet in the St. Barnabas Church parking lot (Lassen Ave. west of the freeway and just west of Doctor’s Park) to trim out their trail.  We will mostly need weed whackers and a very few loppers/hand trimmers.

I have the MSTA push weed trimmer and two hand weed whackers, and Mark Telegin has a weed whacker, so if you can help for an hour, we’ll hand you a tool.

We aim to be done by 9:30 or 10.

Hope to see you.

JH

PS: If you have one of those little nets that go over your head, you might bring it because this morning when we scouted the job, there were some of those little black flies that buzz around your face.  You can get one of those nets at Solano’s for $3.

 

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THANK YOU, TIM CABITTO!

Last year, Glenn Harvey bought a used string trimmer for the MS Trail Association to help with big weed-eating jobs on the trails.
Unfortunately, the engine died recently.  Decisions had to be made whether to fix it or buy a new one.
Fortunately, Tim Cabitto of Cabitto’s Small Engine Repair said the machine was  a good one, and that a new engine would allow us to use the trimmer for years to come.  He also donated his labor to diagnose, order parts, and replace the engine.  It now works like a charm.
Thanks again, Tim.

JH

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SUCCESSFUL CLEANUP IN MT. SHASTA!

Thirty-nine volunteers (perhaps more) showed up from MSTA, Clean and Safe MS, and the Weed Elementary Gear Up Summer Program to clean up Old Stage Road, Abrams Lake Road, and Spring Hill Road today.  The kids worked their tails off on a rather warm morning, including dragging some heavy tires and other trash up a steep embankment.  Oh, yeah, the adults worked hard, too.

Four pickup truck loads were taken to the dump.

Thanks to everyone who helped, and to Glenn Harvey for organizing.  And Mark Telegin is back from injured reserve (along with Glenn) and he started hours before anyone else to clean up a long section of Old Stage Rd. himself.

JH