Author: John Harch

HEADS UP!!! The US Forest Service plans to burn the remaining slash piles from the Gateway Trail reroute that was constructed last year starting on Thursday, March 3^rd. Sections of the trail where burning is taking place will be closed for 1-2 days for public safety (mainly from where it crosses Cascade Gulch to where Gateway connects to the One-Mile road).

Yesterday, I hoped for about 8-10 hardy folks to show up for tree removal and cleanup of the Cabin Creek Trail. By 8:35, we had 23 crazies shivering in the Park and Ride parking lot!! Then Barb and Brian met us at the trailhead for a total of 25 volunteers! The first photo shows most of the group selecting tools, patiently listening to my boring and long-winded safety talk. We split into groups consisting of one sawyer and 3 or 4 swampers/rakers and everyone trudged down the trail.

I locked up the trailer and followed. The first half mile had no trees to remove and I thought, “Oh, no, I’ve wasted everyone’s time today.” That is, until I came to a group working on a huge tree across the trail (second photo). Many thanks to Todd for bringing (and especially carrying) a saw with a 30-plus inch bar. When I first saw him with that mongo saw, I thought, “What the hell is he gonna to do with that?”

It warmed up quite a bit and turned into a spectacularly beautiful day. Welcome to new volunteers Liz, Jackie, Russell, and Howard! Quite a few of the 25 volunteers had never experienced this amazing trail. Thanks to everyone for clearing about 90% of the trail, nearly to the end. A couple of us will return to finish the bottom portion later.

Hey, we had fun!

Just a reminder that this Saturday, Feb. 5, we’ll meet at the Park and Ride at 8:30 am at the junction of I-5 and Hwy 89 to caravan to the Cabin Creek Trailhead in McCloud (formerly Squaw Valley Creek Trail) for trail maintenance. We have all the tools.

Chainsaw crew: bring all appropriate safety equipment (you know the drill). We do have 2 extra chaps and one helmet.

There is poison oak on this trail, mainly the lower portion, so wear long sleeves and gloves. Also, much of the trail is likely to be in shade, so wear layers to avoid being cold. Finally, bring water and snacks (or lunch) for yourself. We’ll likely work for about 3 hours, but you can leave anytime. It should be beautiful on the trail.

You will decide whether to travel alone or with others, depending on your own perceived risk of Covid. After all, we don’t want to tell anyone how to behave…that’s riskier than Covid!

MSTA is organizing a volunteer work day on the Cabin Creek Trail (south of McCloud) to remove fallen trees and brush, and to generally spruce up the trail before spring arrives. We’ve set Saturday Feb. 5 as the day, since the chainsaw crew is mostly available on that day and the weather seems likely to allow it. We need 5-10 swampers, loppers, and rakers to help clean the trail after the trees are cut up. It’s a great chance to get outside and forget about Covid.

The trip is about 40 minutes each way. We’ll meet at the Park and Ride on Hwy 89 (near the I-5 and Hwy 89 intersection) at 8:30 and drive to McCloud. We then turn south on Hwy 11 (Squaw Valley Rd.) for about 5-6 miles, and turn right onto a reasonable dirt road (Forest Service Rd. 39N21) for about another 3 or 4 miles to the trailhead.

If you haven’t seen or hiked Cabin Creek Trail (formerly Squaw Valley Creek Trail), you should come just to see it. We won’t care if you just walk around and stare at the creek and beautiful waterfalls, let us do the work, and give orders.

There is a lot of controversy about e bike use on USFS lands, and it is currently prohibited in non-motorized areas. The USFS is reviewing this policy and will likely make a decision sometime soon. If you wish to express an opinion (either pro or con), here are the methods:

1. Call Don Lee at the USFS office in MS at 530-440-4509.
2. Email Don Lee at don.lee@usda.gov
3. Send a letter to Don Lee at the US Forest Service Ranger Station, 204 W. Alma St., Mt. Shasta, CA 96067.

The Siskiyou Land Trust, in conjunction with the Avalanche Center and USFS Climbing Rangers, is offering a webinar that will inform us of events that occurred on Mt. Shasta this past year, including the Lava Fire, mud flows, etc.

Basic info and easy to share the url here: https://www.siskiyoulandtrust.org/jan-13-the-year-on-mount-shasta-2021-webinar/
Go to @siskiyoulandtrust on Instagram or check out this link for a shareable Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/106961639332143/photos/a.284771701551135/5340648719296716/

In early 2021, Alyssa Winkleman applied for a McConnell Foundation equipment grant to purchase a powered wheelbarrow (also called a canycom) and two chainsaws. Guess what? She received the grant, and after some supply-chain delays we recently took possession of the chainsaws and the canycom (the total grant was for about $8,000). Ace Hardware and Stihl gave us a 15% discount on the chainsaws due to our nonprofit status. In addition, an anonymous donor came up with some chaps, protective helmet, gas can, and files for the chainsaws.

Thanks to Alyssa, the McConnell Foundation, Ace Hardware in Mt. Shasta, and Stihl (and the donor, who will remain anonymous).

The wheelbarrow will allow us to carry rock, gravel, soil, water, cement, or other heavy items up or down the trails. Its capacity is 1000 lb.

There have been many questions in the last few days about e bikes and whether they are allowed on non-motorized USFS trails. The following is the official response from the USFS:

By definition, E-Bikes, also referred to as an electric mountain bike (eMTB) is a type of MOTOR vehicle with two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other, equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric MOTOR of less than 750 watts that meet the requirements of one of three classes. The current Forest Service description of non-motorized trails is exactly that – no motor. Therefore, e-bikes are considered motorized and not allowed within the Gateway Trail System or any non-motorized trails on national forest system lands. The Forest Service is currently reviewing policy directives. If you’d like more information it is recommended to contact the Shasta McCloud Management Unit, Shasta-Trinity National Forest at: 530-926-4511

There are increasing reports of motorcycle riders on established Gateway trails and new trails currently under construction. This post is a reminder that access roads and single-track trails within the Gateway System are for non-motorized use only, including hikers, runners, bicyclists, and horseback riders.

The Mount Shasta Trail Association (MSTA), in partnership with the US Forest Service (USFS), has raised and spent about $550,000 over the last 11 years to create these trails. Finishing the newest 46 miles of trail will require at least another $1.5 million and several years of construction. The trails are carefully planned and designed according to Forest Service specifications and will not tolerate motorized use. Motorcycles damage the trail tread, increase maintenance costs, and decrease sustainability. In addition, heavy vehicles traveling at high speed are a significant risk to pedestrians, dogs, and bicyclists. Use of these trails by motorcycles is prohibited by Forest Service regulations. 

Some motorcycle riders have commented on social media that they are being “kicked off trails” they have traditionally used and have asked why MSTA isn’t building trails for them. Please understand that all these trails on USFS land are created with the consent, approval, and participation of the USFS. The designation as non-motorized is a decision made by the USFS.

Requests for more motorized trails or more access should be directed to USFS personnel. The Travel Management Plan and Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) available from the Forest Service show many miles of designated routes where motorcycle use is permitted. ( Shasta-Trinity National Forest – Home).

Interested users can find maps and information at the local USFS ranger stations as well.

Let’s all work together to optimize the use and sustainability of our trails.

Nearly everything MSTA does (except what can be accomplished with volunteer work) costs money. That includes building trails, rerouting trails, buying signs, buying tools, getting permits, and doing environmental work preceding trailbuilding.

Please spread the word that Giving Tuesday is tomorrow and MSTA can use financial help to finish the mammoth trail construction project we have underway. Here’s the link: https://www.northstategives.org/mountshastatrailassociation

Thank you.