Hitch Number Three

3rd-8th July 2010
Hitch Three East Fork Wallowa Trail (1804)

Back to the good old East Fork Trail. Yep, covering some well known ground here, but as with any SCA adventure there is no lack of excitement. Sadly enough, the first time we saw this trail there was still too much snow around to make it the full 6 miles we were scheduled to. By now, however, nice Mr. July sunshine has kindly cleared the way of all the white nuisance.
We made it up to Aneroid Lake this time, lopping pretty much the whole way. Not even worth bringing the crosscut, Sylvester or Tweedy Bird, out with us for the trail was pretty much log free (thanks to someone with a chainsaw who got there before us!). Up at Aneroid we ran into Dennis, the caretaker of a small private land holding that functions as a wilderness resort, and were thanked profusely for our work. The lake is gorgeous and the mountains rising up around it make for some picturesque views.
Although the nights were a little cold and the days long, everyone remained in good spirits throughout the hitch. Along with the lopping we were allowed a few treats, mainly in the form of drainage. There was one long section that required a fair number of drainage ditches and then one stream through the trail that we spent a pleasurable morning putting back in place. However, the highlight of the hitch was definitely the bridge we cleared of sediment. A small footbridge had been absolutely swamped in dirt and we did it the favor of carting 75 cubic feet of that off of it, as well as putting a nice little lumber cap and drainage feature on the uphill side to ensure that it does not happen again.
All things considered it was an enjoyable hitch, now for three days of freedom before we tackle the Ice Lake Trail, dun dun dun!

-Sam & Laura