Black Mountain is rapidly progressing to a shovel ready state. America's Conservation Experience (ACE) was hired by Ranger Ed Christensen through the city and brought out to help speed up the process of adding trails to Black Mountain. Last year we learned that cutting trails is fun but cutting brush SUCKS. ACE's expertise is in brushing trails. It was a match made in heaven. That, and the fact the city WANTS to spend money on new trails, is a huge win for the trail users in San Diego. Tread work will be up to us but for now it is all about the plants.
Kick off was yesterday but we really got the ball rolling today.
1. Connector from Nighthawk down to the saddle - View looking west
At the end of the last build season, Cary and Ed took the initiative to start this but quickly ran out of steam. Today the ACE crew finished off the brushing and hauling it out. The line is now there, waiting for rain so we can put the tread in. Minor adjustments (and of course, the tread) are needed but now you will be able to get up and down the hill rather than using the 20 percent loose rock fall line.
2. Connector from the saddle up to East Ridge - View looking east
The heinous fire break fall line was nothing less than a crazy hike-a-bike over loose, sharp rock. There was no real need to go to the east ridge. Today that changes. Rich, myself, and the ACE lead stomped, hacked, smashed, cut, pushed, and pulled our way through some insainly dense brush.
You couldn't see 15 feet in front of you.
By noon we had flagged the entire 3/4 mile and the crew was hot on our heals with the saws. They got the initial cut about half way done. Still lots of brushing and hauling to do.
3. LIttle Black Mountain bypass from East Ridge saddle to South View trail - View looking west (Black Mountain fire road in background)
The image is at an angel so while it doesn't look it, the route will only have a net change of 50 feet over its length. This was burned about 6 years ago after a firebug started a fire over by Mt Carmel HIgh School. The hope was it would be easier going than project #2. Unfortunately, some yes but a lot of no. It was the end of the day and we were bushed. The southern most part is partially brushed and flagged, the center is just flagged because the brush was only waist high, but by the time I got to the northern end, the brush was back to its dense and 8 foot tall stuff again. It will happen on another day.
It is hard to see the flags in this pic but they are there.
So, catch your interest yet? As soon as we figure out the weather (raining at my house as I type) you will see posts on SDMBA meetup.com, here, or by email. Stay tuned and get your butt in shape. We've got some trail to cut!!!
and running slower than the pack....
