Local Group Takes Action on Hayfork Basin Trails and Fuel Breaks
 |
Main Tule Trail -- Before
When is a recreational trail also a line of defense against wildfire? When the Hayfork Action Team saw the opportunity to rebuild and repair the trail system in, and around, the Hayfork area. They quickly realized that these old trails, roads or jeep trails not only provide important recreation, but meet a critical need to provide fire access into areas with no access, or would provide fuel breaks identified in the Fire Safe Council’s Fire Management Plan.
The Hayfork Action team has now completed the first of a two-phase project administered by the Watershed Research and Training Center in Hayfork. Crew members, all from the Hayfork area, received training in trail maintenance, rock and log construction of water bars, retaining walls, causeways, chainsaw and crosscut saw use, trail planning and layout; working under trying conditions; personal and crew relations and many other valuable workplace job skills. The project has restored a portion of the historical trail system around Hayfork for recreational use and provided fire access and fuel breaks in areas that were hard or impossible to get to with vehicles.
The 6-person crew worked for 10 weeks to complete 5.3 miles of foot trail maintenance, 3.7 miles of road brushing, 8.4 miles of jeep trail brushing, under the direction of a US Forest Service trail supervisor for training, layout, project supervision and support (pack stock, vehicles). The project was implemented in the Tule Divide Drainage with the objective of linking trails to roads to provide loop systems for access by recreational groups or fire crews. Trail rider groups out of the Indian Valley Station, hikers, and mountain bikers periodically use these trails.
 |
Main Tule Trail -- After
Training provided during the first year will enable the crew to operate efficiently and with less supervision as they begin Phase 2 during the summer of 2004 with funds from the Trinity County Resource Advisory Committee. Depending upon the condition of trails currently being surveyed, approximately 26 miles of trail work is planned for this year.
For more information about this project or to see a map of the proposed 2004 trail system or the draft Hayfork Area Trails Master Plan, please call the Watershed Research and Training Center at (530) 628-4206.
|
