Sorry for the inadequate and late communication about this work day. We have reconn’d the two sites we wanted to work on (Castle Lake to Heart Lake Trail and Gateway II near Bear Springs) and they both have too much snow to address. So, the best thing is to cancel this work day and look to the next scheduled date, which is Saturday, April 24. By then maybe we will have figured out what the heck we want to do. Thanks for your patience.
Get Ready for the 2021 Trail Challenge!
This year’s trail challenge will run from May 1 to October 1.
Welcome to the 3rd annual Mount Shasta Trail Challenge. We want to share the beauty of our area with those who are inspired to get out and enjoy the vast trail system surrounding the mountain we call home. We are working hard on the trails to be included in the Challenge. Also, we are looking into how to reward those that take up the Challenge.
Stay tuned!
Forest Service Virtual Town Hall — Wednesday March 3, 2021
South Fork Sacramento Public Safety and Forest Restoration Project – VIRTUAL Public Meeting: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Forest Service will provide an overview of possible opportunities and challenges for improving public safety and reducing wildfire risks in the South Fork Sacramento watershed above Lake Siskiyou.
To participate: click on the Join live event link. For those that want to join by telephone, the number is listed below as well.
Microsoft Teams Join live event: https://tinyurl.com/southforksacramento
+1 323-886-7051 United States, Los Angeles (Toll)
Conference ID: 413 700 194#
The Forest Service has been collecting data on this area and doing fire modeling to better understand current conditions. We invite you all to hear about the current conditions and to meet our team of specialists. We hope to continue this open forum and once weather conditions improve we will conduct field trips to the area.
Daffodils Planted
Yesterday, we planted about 500 daffodils around the Spring Hill Trailhead. Many thanks to the 14 volunteers who showed up to help, including one very young, enthusiastic gardener. Since it’s so late in the season, the bulbs may not bloom this year. Opinions differed on this, so you’ll just have to visit the trail to see for yourself. We gave the balance of the bulbs to Lorie Saunders for the Beautification Committee to plant in the triangle and median strip for the city. Even though these non-native, ornamental flowers don’t help the pollinators or the soil or the little animals, they look pretty and thus cheer up the large animals who have been trapped inside for much of the pandemic.
STOP! NO DAFFODILS AT GATEWAY!
OK, OK! I’m not smart enough to know that you shouldn’t plant non-native daffodils at the Gateway Trailhead or on USFS property. I’m a doctor, Jim, not a biologist. If I can ascertain the appropriateness of planting at the Spring Hill Trailhead (which most people seem to think is acceptable) we’ll do that at 1:30 tomorrow.
JH
Daffodils for MSTA!
Early this afternoon, I got a call from Eva Moll at Mercy Hospice. They have leftover daffodils from their fundraiser that are starting to sprout. She asked if MSTA wanted some to plant at the Gateway Trailhead and I said, “Sure!”
Well, I picked them up and found that there are about 1000 of them. Yes, 1000. So I think we should plant some at Spring Hill and some at the Gateway Trailhead.
If you want to help, meet me at the Spring Hill Trail parking lot at 1:30 on Saturday, Feb. 27. We can put 8 or 10 in each hole we dig so we’ll get a big show of color. If we have 6-10 volunteers, we’ll split into two groups, with the second group going to Gateway. Shouldn’t take long and it’ll be fun. Who doesn’t like planting flowers? Well, maybe there’s someone.
Financial Outlook for 2021
Last year was a very strong year for the Mount Shasta Trail Association, with a gain over the year in our unrestricted funds balance, even with many substantial projects undertaken. Restricted funds delegated to specific projects also increased. Significant advances were made on the Gateway Trail Reroute, the extension of the Gateway Trail, the Mossbrae Falls Trail, and the reroute of the Heart Lake Trail. Contributions from individuals and businesses totaled more than $63,000, and grants and dedicated funds yielded another $215,000. Out of pocket we spent on programs $231,000, and only $21,000 on administration.
For next year our project expenses will increase substantially as we ramp up the expansion of the Gateway Trail network. Mossbrae Falls alone may require more than all of last year’s program expenses. Grant awards we have received will allow us to accomplish so much! Our special thanks to the McConnell Foundation, the Friesen Foundation, the Kyle Neath Charitable Fund, the Nancy Driscoll Foundation, the National Forest Foundation, not to mention the State of California, Natural Resources Prop 68 Grant for $1,115,000 for Gateway.
Of course, with your ongoing support the sky’s the limit, or least 14,692’, or 14,179’, or 4,321.8m, or 4317m. Well, you get the idea—we’re going places. Come along!
Donation of Tool Trailer to MSTA
About a month ago, we decided to order a trailer to hold and transport tools for trail work. Shortly thereafter, Brian Sindt offered to donate his near-new trailer to the cause. Brian is a recently retired Senior Program Officer for the McConnell Foundation. His trail crew cut the Foundation Trail on Gateway several years ago, free of charge. He has been instrumental in securing significant funds for Gateway II. He has helped create many of the hiking/biking trails in Redding over the years, and drives up here to Mt. Shasta to volunteer on some of our work days. The trailer will fit our needs beautifully and will save MSTA about $4600.
Thank you, Brian, for this amazing donation.
Road Closures on Everitt Mem. Hwy and Castle Lake
On Tuesday, Jan 25th Siskiyou County will be closing the gates on Everitt Memorial Highway (near McBride Springs CG) and Castle Lake by NOON. Due to the predicted snow accumulation and availability of the County to plow the roads in a timely manner, this is a needed safety measure.
Thank you very much! Hope everyone continues to be safe and enjoy watching the needed snow from the comfort of home 😊
 | Becky Cooper Recreation OfficerForest Service Shasta-Trinity National ForestShasta McCloud Management Unitp: 530-926-9610rebecca.r.cooper@usda.gov204 West Alma Street Mt. Shasta, CA 96067 www.fs.fed.us Caring for the land and serving people  |
Great Work Day on Gateway Reroute
A dozen volunteers showed up yesterday to cover burn piles on the Gateway reroute. It was a beautiful day and we were done in about 90 minutes, including safety talk, hike in, and hike out. There were a number of new volunteers and lots of new acquaintances were made. The new trail will have some fantastic vistas when completed.
Don’t miss the next work day!
