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Getting After the Sign Work in the LZ

We’re going to install some signs in the Learning Zone on Monday, Oct. 21 in an effort to get the system done before winter. Some will be easy fiberglass posts with stickers and a few others will be put on steel posts in concrete. We need a half dozen volunteers; there will be some driving on rough roads, some soft dirt, and some digging and concrete mixing. Just pure fun! Work from 1 till about 4, but you can leave anytime. If you don’t want to take your vehicle into the back roads, you can ride with us. Don’t miss it. Meet in the Nordic Center parking lot at 1 pm.

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Don’t Be a Selfish Jerk!

Why is it so hard to stay off new trails that are still closed?

It costs $40,0000-$50,000 per mile to build trails in the Gateway System! When first finished, the trails are soft and easily wrecked by usage before the rain comes. That’s why we place tape and closure signs across the entries to the trails. Despite this, poachers are tearing out the tape and destroying the signs, then riding or hiking. And they’re not just out-of-towners.

WE DON’T HAVE THE MONEY TO BUILD THESE TRAILS TWICE!!!!

Be patient. Please respect the fundraising, environmental work, administrative hassles, and construction that go into this $2 million project. There are plenty of trails to use right now. Don’t be the yo-yo who steps over or removes tape and signs. Don’t hike, bike, or horseback ride until the trails are open. And motorcyclists, the power and weight of your bikes destroys our trails very quickly, so please, please, use the many approved roads outside of Gateway (not to mention the danger of motos on trails).

List of closed trails (as of 12 Sept, 2024):

  1. All of the trails in the Learning Zone
  2. Deadwood
  3. Magma
  4. The very bottom of Bear Springs from Road 31 to the Mt. Shasta Blvd

To be clear: this was written by John Harch, not John Schuyler.

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Trail Challenge 2024 – Check Out the PCT Hike to Porcupine Lake

Have you noticed all the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hikers in town that have been forced off the trail by the Shelly and Park fires?  Would you like to experience a little bit of the world famous PCT for yourself? The 2024 Mount Shasta Trail Challenge features a gorgeous section of the PCT that takes you to Porcupine Lake!  Hikers from all over the world tell us that our local stretch of the PCT is some of the most beautiful they see on their entire 2,650-mile journey from Mexico to Canada.

Majestic views of Mt Shasta AND Mt Lassen.   Several meadows featuring fields of pitcher plants and even “Astragalus Whitneyi” aka Whitney’s locoweed. Beautiful Porcupine Lake with easy access to take a dip. The trail is 11 miles long round trip and with 1,300’ of elevation gain so maybe not for the brand new hiker. It’s almost above treeline and you’re on the ridge so it’s a little exposed and you might want to bring a hat and sunscreen.  Dogs are ok on the PCT but not bikes.

Consider bringing some trail magic like clean water and candy bars for the PCT hikers you encounter. You’ll be impressed by how far they have come to enjoy what we have in our backyard.

Everything you need for the FREE Mount Shasta Trail Challenge can be found at this link. Search AllTrails or other trails app for “Porcupine Lake via PCT” or ask for a trail guide at the USFS Ranger Station in Mt Shasta.

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The “A Team” Killed It

Seven of us, several of whom have installed these kiosks before, got together this morning and slammed the thing in in two hours! We used our brains more than our backs, so the leveling and straightening were easier than in the past. Many thanks to Neil Posson, Chad Lancour, Emma Wilcox, Mark Derby, Bryson Schreder, and Jim Wrona (who actually behaved). There’s only one big kiosk left to place at the Vista Point, but we won’t be doing that until next year when the new trails are finished in that area.

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Let’s Install the Kiosk at the Learning Zone (Nordic Center) on Saturday, Aug 17 at 8:30 am

It’s time to install the kiosk for the Learning Zone Trailhead at the Nordic Center. The hard work is done: Trail Labs excavated the hole, so we don’t have to dig like we did at McBride Trailhead (see below). We will place the steel posts, level them, attach the temporary aluminum panels, and mix/pour some concrete. Easy as pie.

Come for a few minutes or an hour or two. Stand and bark orders at the rest of us. Join the happy confusion and pleasant chaos that goes with this work. Bring some extra water for mixing/cleaning concrete and a wheelbarrow if you have one. I’ll have everything else. Meet in the Nordic Center parking lot–the work is right there, so no hiking.

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Work in Learning Zone tomorrow, Aug 3 at 8 am

View this email in your browserVolunteers have been crushing it on trails! Join in this Saturday, August 3rd at 8am to be part of the work!We’ll be back at the Learning Zone trails of the Gateway Trail System this Saturday. Things are looking good and we’re optimistic about getting a loop open this fall.

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Volunteers have been working on Chipmunk Trail and making good progress. We’ll be raking more tread this Saturday. Then in August and September, the Forest Service will be bringing AmeriCorps members for several work days that will really move this into overdrive. It’s pretty optimistic to think we could get the full Chipmunk Trail open by this fall, but we can’t help it, we’re excited to work hard and make it happen. 

Meet at the Nordic Center parking lot at 8am this Saturday and work for as long as you like. Come with your long pants, long sleeves, work boots and gloves. Bring plenty of water for on the trail. We’ll we wrap up by 11 or 11:30am, depending on the heat. Mt. Shasta Trail Association will provide the tools.

If you’re looking for a different type of trail work, check out this request from Trail Labs for help on Magma, one of the new downhill trails in the Gateway System:

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Trail Challenge 2024 – Castle Crags State Park

The Crags Trail is one of the most rewarding on the 2024 Mount Shasta Trail Challenge and it’s featured in a great new magazine article here.

Did you know that Castle Crags State Park participates in the FREE State Library Parks Pass?   You can check out a pass at any local library or click here.

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Let’s Get Dirty Again on Thur, July 25 at 8 am

Yeah, we have another trail work day on Thur, July 25 to buff up the new trails in the Learning Zone. We had 15 show up last Saturday, and we had fun meeting new people. It was a beautiful morning and we got about a half mile completed, quitting (as promised) by 11. It’s dusty out there, so I suggest you wear long pants and boots. It’s supposed to be a little cooler by Thur. Once again, we can drive to the work site on a slightly rough road. Meet in the Nordic Center parking lot at 8.

Here are a couple photos from Sat, including one to prove that I clean the hardhats and tools.

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A Teensy Reminder About the Work Day Tomorrow

We’re having another trail work day in the Gateway Learning Zone tomorrow morning, Saturday, July 20 at 8 am. Meet in the Nordic Center parking lot. We can drive a short distance to the work site to rake and smooth out the new trails. We’ll stop working at 11, but you can leave anytime. We had fun last week and people made many new friends. If you don’t show up, Bryson and Brian and I will do all the work and you’ll be left at home sulking. Bring water.

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Trail Work in the Learning Zone this Saturday, July 20 at 8 am

Hey, let’s get another big chunk of tread work done on the new trails in the Learning Zone this Saturday. We got almost ¾ of a mile done last Thursday with our great turnout of 16 people. We should be able to drive right to the start point of the work and plan to quit about 11-11:30 to beat the heat. Just bring gloves and water. Meet in the Nordic Center parking lot at 8 am. See you then!