Pile Burning On Ten Gallon Trail — Wednesday December 8, 2021

The US Forest Service Shasta-McCloud Management Unit fire and fuels programs will be burning slash piles on the newly constructed Ten Gallon Trail (BMZ-7), which is within the Gateway Phase 2 trail system. The first ¾  miles of trail will be CLOSED on Weds., December 8th (from proposed trailhead to where trail crosses the road – approximately ¾ mile long). For safety of yourself and FS fire personnel please respect this closure and stay out of the area. Prescribed burning signs will be posted on sites of closure.

As weather permits, the remainder of  slash piles on Ten Gallon, BMZ-11, and BMZ-12 will be burned as well over the coming weeks. The trails will be closed during burning operations. See map for locations.

DON’T FORGET MSTA ON GIVING TUESDAY (tomorrow, Nov. 30, 2021)

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.

Gateway Trail Temporary Closures

Attention Gateway Trail users!

Mastication equipment is starting work near the trailhead on Monday, November 22nd. They’ll be working the trail sections closest to the parking lot and around the Lollipop trail. There will be temporary closures next week. As a reminder, never approach working mastication equipment. Stay at least 300 feet away. Thank you and stay safe!

Closure Map

Giving Tuesday — Oh Yeah — November 30, 2021

It’s hard to believe but we have created another award winning classic “Oh Yeah, the Movie.” This engaging iMovie was created with the hopes of inspiring donations to the MSTA for Giving Tuesday which is in November 30th, this year. Early giving begins November 16th. Please share with other trail lovers — whether they are hikers, mountain bikers, runners or equestrians!

Great Work Day on New Gateway Trails

This morning we had 15 volunteers and 2 Trail Labs representatives show up for finish work on BMZ 11 and 12 (BMZ=Big Mountain Zone). Welcome to newcomers Dave, Jenny, and Dana, and also to almost-newcomer, Sandy. The trails look fantastic and we hope to get them approved as legal trails soon.

When we arrived back at the trailer and were putting tools away, I said, “This was a really great turnout on a cool, misty morning.” And Alyssa snapped, “It wasn’t misty this morning,” once again callously hurting my feelings and questioning my toughness.

I need to look for a nicer trail work coordinator.

WORK DAY START TIME TOMORROW CHANGED TO 10 AM, SATURDAY, NOV. 6

To give people a brief window to drop by the ski swap tomorrow morning, we’re changing the start time for the work day to 10 am. Meet on Old McCloud Rd. about 2 ½ miles east of Mt. Shasta Blvd. (a short distance above the RR tracks).

Regarding weather: rain predicted tonight and showers tomorrow. When I cancelled last Saturday’s work day due to rain, Alyssa called me a wimp and really insulted my masculinity. So we’ll be working tomorrow if it rains, unless Alyssa cancels. I just can’t take another hit to my fragile ego.

See you then.

Another Chance to Work on Trails This Saturday, Nov. 6 at 9 am

Let’s try again! If it’s not raining much, we’ll go work on the newest segments of Gateway. As before:

We’ll be meeting on Old McCloud Rd. at 9 am. From south Mt. Shasta Blvd., go east on Old McCloud about 2.5 miles, cross the RR tracks, and a short distance further you’ll see my brown pickup with the MSTA tool trailer. We’ll be lopping roots, raking tread, and doing other finish work on the recently cut-in trails. It doesn’t require much hiking. We plan to work from 9 to 12, but you can leave anytime you wish.

See you there!

Holiday Gift Birdhouses for MSTA

Once again, Tom Ravizza has occupied his Covid downtime building detailed, themed birdhouses. And once again, Kendra Bainbridge has graciously offered to display them and sell them at her store, Raven Tree, with the profits going to the Mount Shasta Trail Association and the Siskiyou Land Trust. These birdhouses make great holiday gifts and Raven Tree has lots of other bird-related items to grab. I get my birdseed there (much of which goes to our very fat squirrels). Drop by Raven Tree soon.

Cancelling Trail Work Today

I’ve been watching it rain for the last half hour. Forecast calls for steady rain for the next 6-8 hours. I think it’s best to cancel and look for a better day. Stay tuned and thanks.