The second hitch for “Constellation” crew began a day early.
Along with our fellow chainsaw crew we had a full day of saw training. For most
of us this was our first time ever using a chainsaw. Our training consisted of safety
protocols, basic maintenance, proper saw use, and a few demonstrations. At the
end of the day we had the opportunity to practice a few skills. Overall our
crew felt prepared to begin saw work. But due to a change of plans we were
instead given another trail project, with the promise of saw work next time.
And so, on Wednesday June 18th
we departed for Southfork, about a half hour from our previous site. We arrived
at Trout Creek Trail and set up camp, eager to see our worksite. This area was
vastly different from our previous site. Aside from camping along a busy road,
the terrain was more wooded and grassy. One side of the view was a rocky cliff and
the other side was tall mountain peaks. We only hiked about a mile each way our
first afternoon.
We woke up Friday ready for a full
day of work. Our basic job was to make a two track into a single track trail. We
did this to stop the use of ATV’s on the trail. This was accomplished by
loosening the soil on the lower track to encourage growth and adding rocks and
dead branches. The work was hard and dusty, but the forest was a beautiful site
to work in.
Saturday and Sunday we had the
pleasure of working with volunteer crews from VOC and NCCC. They provided us
with five delicious meals. This opportunity was unique because it allowed us to
work on a new trail, doing different work, and with new people of various ages
and experience. Our SCC crew was separated into two groups and placed with a second
crew leader and several volunteers. My crew worked on several sections of the
trail; widening the path. This experience gave us a greater appreciation for
the people who enjoy trails and are willing to spend their weekend working to
preserve it.
On Sunday we finished working at 1
pm and said goodbye to our new friends. We then had the opportunity to visit a
section of forest in the west fork of the Rio Grande that had burned in a fire
in the summer of 2013. The fire consumed over 110,000 acres of land. This was
my first time seeing a burn area up close. The charred leafless trees and
silence from lack of wildlife made the area seem ruined. But grass and flowers
blanketed sections of forest and streams ran clear among the ashy soil. Life has
begun again and someday the forest will be lush and green once more.
That afternoon as we sat near a
lake at the base of the burn area we were told to think about the vast age of
the forest. I began to wonder, if we are such a small fraction of the forests’
life, then what difference does our work make? As soon as the thought crossed
my mind one of our crew leaders Aaron said “This is why we’re here.” I realized
that we do our work because it is the best way, however small, to give back to
the environment we care about. And hopefully our work will continue for
generations because someone becomes inspired to do their part.
On Monday morning
we had two black bears visit our campsite by Trout Creek Trail. Due to this we
moved our camp down the road to where the volunteers had stayed. This move gave
us the chance to meet some people who had just begun working for the Forest
Service and other agencies. Monday thru Wednesday we continued work on Trout
Creek Trail. Wednesday afternoon we finished our designated section of trail. In
all we worked over an area of about three miles and completed nearly a mile of
actual refurbished trail.
Thursday
morning we had the luxury of sleeping in before beginning our routine of
breaking down camp. I was able to give my education talk on “How to go the
bathroom in the woods.” We arrived safely back at the office, ready for a well
deserved break before we head out to our next adventure.
