Spawn Creek Trail Maintenance, 7 July, 2018
Five hardy hikers spent the day improving the 4.5-mile Spawn Creek Trail. Comfortable temperatures at the trailhead gave way to high heat during the return trip. Loaded with tools, hikers walked uphill past multiple beaver dams, trimming brush and removing rocks as needed. The work done in previous years was evident and needed only minor attention through the first two miles. The next section (about 0.6 mile) required heavier brushing and the removal of three deadfall trees.
Some shade, a breeze, and a nice view provided refreshment during lunch for the hike back to the trailhead.
Observations included several cutthroat trout, a couple of fishermen, a northern flicker, lots of sego lilies, and some invasive weeds. No cattle were observed within the exclosure.
Additional days are being planned to continue work on the middle section of the trail, but access will be from the upper trailhead off the Sinks Road in upper Logan Canyon with all downhill hiking. Anyone interested in helping, please contact Jane or Dave.
Trip Summary:
- Participants: Dan, Dave P., Brent, Dave W. , and Jane (leader).
- Met at 8:00 and drove 19 miles to the Spawn Creek Trailhead, off the Temple Fork Road.
- Clear skies, comfortable temperatures in the morning and hot in the afternoon.
- Started hiking about 8:45 a.m., lunch 12:30 to 1:00, back in Logan at 4:00 p.m.
- Hiked 5.2 miles with 1400 feet of ascent
- 5 workers x 8 hours = 40 person-hours of volunteer trail maintenance activity
Thanks to Jane for the narrative and photos and Dave W. for photos and the GPS data.
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| Starting out at the Spawn Creek Trailhead | |
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| A flooded trail section at mile 0.4 - 0.5 should be re-routed to avoid ongoing beaver activity | |
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| We moved a log at mile 1.5 so hikers could get around a boggy area (before and after) | |
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| This boggy area at mile 1.1 needs more work | Someone (not us) flagged the uphill side of the trail from mile 1.6 to 1.9 |
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| Hot, tired and sweaty trail workers | Taking a break to eat and sharpen tools |
2018.jpg) |
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| Three logs (two 10-inch and one 6-inch) across the trail at mile 2.6 (before and after) | |
2018.jpg) |
2018.jpg) |
| Brush (Ceanothus velutinus) encroaching on the trail at mile 1.9 (before and after) | |
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Looking west toward Mt. Elmer with mountain mahogany trees in the foreground as we descended the Spawn Creek Trail |
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| Our GPS track shows about 5.2 miles with 1400 feet of ascent and descent | |
You can look at our route using: Google Earth, the various map and aerial views of Google Maps or download our GPS file. |
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