Hitch #2

            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 18^th 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.

Thursday morning we did our daily routines, picked up our tools and began hiking. We were told that we would see a sign at our worksite. So we hiked up one peak, then down to a valley, up another peak, back down to another valley, and stopped for a break at a junction in the trail. We then hiked on about a mile before being stopped by a mountain biker. This turned out to be Steve, our project coordinator. He told us that there was no sign and that our site began at the junction. We were filled in on the details of the work and soon hiked back. Along the way we ate lunch at a beautiful meadow alongside a creek. By the time we began work on the trail it was 2 pm. We worked until 4 pm and then sharpened our tools and hiked back to camp. Needless to say the approximately 10 miles of hiking had us ready for a good night’s rest.

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.