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Several years ago, Tom Hesseldenz, along with MSTA and the MS Rotary, began an effort to build a launch ramp for kayaks, rafts, paddleboards, etc. Daunting challenges included selecting an optimal location, raising funds, engineering the project, convincing the County (which owns the property) to cooperate, and completing a very complex set of environmental permitting and compliance issues.

For a while, it looked like it would never happen. But Tom Hesseldenz, through sheer doggedness, hopefulness, persuasion, and donation of many hours of his amazing expertise, managed to raise the money and get the job done. Rotary was instrumental in supporting and financing much of the process. The work was completed about a week ago, and it looks terrific. It’s located just north and west of the bathroom in the parking lot just north of the Lake Siskiyou Dam. See attached photos.

Thanks to Mike Peters, Inc. for doing the heavy construction work at what I’m sure was a discounted rate, and to Joy Hall and other County employees for allowing this to go forward.

I want to reemphasize that this never would have happened without persistence and determination by Tom Hesseldenz, whose fingerprints are on many/most of the fine outdoor recreational projects in this county.

This Saturday, November 9, at 1 pm, we’re going to put in the last signs at the south end of the Learning Zone (well, OK, when we complete the north end of Huckleberry Loop, there will be a couple more). For this work day, we’ll meet at the Nordic Center parking lot, drive a short distance down Ski Park Hwy, then turn onto a somewhat rough road for about a half mile. When we park, we’ll install one “you are here” sign on a steel post in cement. Then we’ll grab 6 carsonite signposts and hike about a half mile into the forest and pound them in at another trail junction. We only need about two helpers, but if you want to see the new trails and have a nice hike, please join us. We like to have hecklers and critics as we work. I estimate about 1 hour of work, plus the hiking.

Eight of us showed up yesterday at the Nordic Center to place more signs in the Learning Zone. With John Thomson directing, we placed about 10 new fiberglass signs with trail names (mainly at trail intersections) and then dug holes and put “You Are Here” signs on steel posts using concrete. We had enough help that no one had to bust their butt. Big thanks to Dave Pfurr, Jules Unger (who carried the concrete), John Kelly, Bryson Adams, Emma Wilcox, and Jeff Shamansky! We have one more afternoon in the LZ and a batch of signs to place around Magma and Deadwood, then we’re about done with the signs under the Prop 68 Grant. AWESOME.

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.

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.

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.

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.