May 16th and 17th I spent out with TJ and Rick from the Umatilla National Forest looking at out potential worksites. After fighting through 8" of snow at the first summit, we found the road to the North Fork John Day campground inaccessible due to snow.
So instead we inspected the Granite Creek Trail and used the crosscut saw to remove numerous downed trees. The trail terminates on the North Fork of the John Day River, and where we will ultimately have a backcountry camp. We headed anticipating lots "heavy maintenance" to be done: brushing, some log out, general tread work.....
Along the trail, we found several sections that are currently underwater due to heavy flooding. So, project #1 identified.
Further on down the trail, a timber/lumber structure seems ready to slip off the trail and has definite signs of rot. Absolutely not sufficient to support a mule string with our gear later in the season, Project #2, check.
After lunch the second day, we decided to stroll upstream from the camp location to check out what was above. While stepping through some blowdown, Rick said "Well, it looks like we found a project for you." Thinking he was referring to the blowdown, I wasn't too worried -- then I looked ahead.
The trail has been obliterated by a rock/mudslide, making it impassable to stock. We checked out the area and decided the slide will require some pre-crew blasting work to make the site safe, along with some potential for review by other forest folks to evaluate the project.
If everything goes as planned, this reconstruction will be tackled later on in the summer. Quite a change from the work we thought we would find and have the crew doing. All in all, very exciting and great potential for some advanced trail skills!!!!
