Re-route is approved!
Trail re-route around mud hole at mile 6.2
Workday dates:
September 19, 2009
October 24, 2009
Note: Scheduled workdays will be completed based on access due to water release volume and weather conditions.
We expect this project to take at least 3 or 4 workdays to complete. We will get a start this year and finish up next spring. The good news is that with our grant from BFG we will be able to start some of the perks we know everyone will enjoy including some food after the work is done for the day. One of the unique aspects of working on Fordyce is the difficulty in sometimes just getting to the work area. Mile 6.2 is about as far in from any access point as any place on the trail so we will meet at the work location instead of meeting at the trailhead and driving in together. This way we will have a definite start time on site. Camping there the night before is suggested. Camping after the day's work is recommended so we can all celebrate the hard day's work with a complimentary BBQ.
Please keep in mind to travel with others and plan for an expected water release of 285CFS for the September workday. Water release will be down to minimal for the October 24th workday. We suggest approaching the work area from the Indian Springs trailhead. This way only water crossing #1 will need to be traversed. It is very important that volunteers be sure of the capabilities of their rig and are aware of the proper lines to take while crossing the river so as to avoid the deeper holes that exist. When traveling up trail from Indian Springs enter water crossing #1 and veer left along the line of rocks forming a small step. As you approach the opposite shore you will need to turn to the right around the bushes to the wide area of shoreline and then back left as you exit the water. At this point the right front of most all rigs will dip into the water at the expected water release of 285CFS. On the way out the left front will dip in. If your rig has a low mounted air intake on either side as opposed to the middle there is a possibility of water entering the motor and causing it to hydro-lock. This is why we strongly recommend anyone considering this workday to have previous experience at crossing the river at the expected flow.
As always, be prepared for the worst while traversing the Fordyce trail. Weather can change rapidly and breakdowns are always a possibility. Never plan on just a day trip. Always carry ample food, water, clothing and camping gear in case the unexpected occurs. Your rig should be equipped with a CB tuned to channel 40 for FOF communications. Cell service is available on the Fordyce trail in most locations so a charged up cell phone is a great emergency link.
If you are planning on attending the workday please e-mail me at
bret@fordycetrail.org. We need to get a count for food. Remember, there will be a BBQ dinner courtesy of the FOF and BFG as well as numerous other individual contributors and of course NAXJA. Because of all the support we have recently received, food will be prepared on the new trail BBQ we were able to purchase. We'll also provide gloves, safety glasses and loppers for the volunteers use. It will be nice not to have to ask our helpers to provide their labor AND use their own tools.
We want to thank everyone in advance for considering this workday. We know it's late in the year, not a lot of notice, and time is at a premium these days.
Thank you,
Bret Preble
President-Friends of Fordyce
408-693-1066
bret@fordycetrail.org
Taking three days off for Marlin Round-up buried me.