Category: Reports

Project: Memorial Park

Photo Album: Memorial Park - Homestead Trail Photos 

Memorial Park – Homestead Trail
Trail Center Work Day Report
April 24, 2021
Homestead Trail runs 0.6 miles from Azalea Flat Campground (near the park entrance and ranger station) west to Homestead Flat Youth Camp. If it were not currently closed for the public’s safety, it would likely be Memorial Park’s most popular and used hiking trail. This very scenic trail is designated a hiker-only trail, as its topography make it neither feasible nor safe for equestrian and bicycle users. It connects to Pomponio Canyon Trail, allowing campers easy access to the Mount Ellen and Trillium Nature Trail complex.

On Saturday, April 24, we returned to San Mateo County’s Memorial Park with the goal of recommissioning the trail in time for the 100 year anniversary reopening of Memorial Park. The Trail Center was thrilled to participate in this important work, and its 19 volunteers brought this enthusiasm to Saturday’s workday.

The weather was overcast with unexpectedly warm temperatures in the low high 50’s by workday’s end. The trail tread is a mix of organic, sandy, sandstone soil, nicely workable after last season’s rains.

We staged the trailer and volunteers in the Azalea Flat Campground at Homestead Trail Milepost 7. Ranger Dave Vasquez staged the materials and tools, required to build two retaining walls, at Milepost 14 in the Huckleberry Flat Picnic Area, the midpoint of Homestead Trail.

Hank and Karl’s crew began at the western end of the trail. They spent the majority of the workday reestablishing the trail bed through a slide area approximately 30 yards long, grading the trail to remove large humps and to improve transitions at each end. After remarkable success at this, they undertook an exploratory attempt to restore the trail width and establish a stable inside bench on the uphill side. Unfortunately, the initial suspicion that the soil would be too unstable proved to be true, and a new retaining wall will be required. Still, the route and grade of the new trail is more than sufficiently laid out as to allow Pedro, SMCP’s carpenter, to survey and to design the retaining wall.
The crew had sufficient time remaining to clear duff and reestablish inside bench from Homestead Flat Youth Camp to the slide area.

Judd and Helen’s crew worked all day manually transporting the materials from Huckleberry Flat and building a large retaining wall. This wall is required to support the trail as it circumvents a “maidenhead prow” Douglas fir root impinging on the trail. By day’s end, all 4x8 lumber had been installed and most hat channels had been driven in place and fastened to the lumber. Remaining, work included driving and fastening the few remaining channels and to backfill the gap between the existing trail and the wall, estimated to require 2 to 3 hours with a crew of six.

Dave C’s crew also spent the day transporting materials and building a large retaining wall where a tan oak had fallen onto a Douglas fir and had narrowed to trail. The design and construction of the wall was made particularly challenging by the fir and its roots. The volunteers installed all 4x8 lumber east of the fir, including all hat channels and fastening. After considerable excavation and grading of the wall base west of the fir, Dave recommended that 6-foot tie-backs be installed under the trail, to be done during the next workday. 30-40% of all work has been completed, and remaining work is estimated to require two workdays with a crew of six.

The Trail Center looks forward to returning to Homestead Trail Saturday May 5 and Saturday June 26, completing all work planned for Homestead Trail.

Thanks to Dave C for driving the tool trailer and to Kathy for coordinating and signing in our glorious volunteers. Thanks to Ranger Dylan preparing Azalea Flat for the volunteers, including opening the restrooms, and to SM Volunteer Coordinator for his assistance planning the project and participating in the workday. Special thanks to Ranger Dave Vasquez for providing and staging all materials and for his assistance in coordinating the work.

Project: Huddart Park - Chinquapin Trail

Photo Album: Huddart Park - Chinquapin Trail Photos 

Huddart Park - Chinquapin Trail
Trail Center Work Day Report
February 8, 2020

On Saturday, February 8, the Trail Center performed some bread and butter maintenance on the Chinquapin Trail at the upper end of Huddart Park. We had a great turnout of about 30 people, with lots of first-timers. We were welcomed and greatly assisted in preparing for staging by Rangers Joe Immethun and Dylan Hofflander of San Mateo County Parks, who walked the trail with Judd before flagging to confirm the priorities for the work. They confirmed with Kings Mountain Archers that our event wouldn’t conflict with others so we could use the parking lot at the archery range for trailer and volunteer parking (SMCP post “52”). A representative of the archery group also helped ensure the gate stayed unlocked and provided a tool to a late-arriving volunteer.

The day started clear but chilly in the 50s as volunteers gathered. After the safety talk, the crews made the steep descent about 0.5 mi down Archery Fire Road to the upper of the two SMCP “41” posts that marks the lower end of Chinquapin Trail. The crews would spend their day working uphill on the trail.

Dave C’s crew took the first section of trail, where there was damage from drainage off King’s Mountain Rd. They restored the pathway, and re-purposed a length of 10” diameter redwood log on the hillside as a bar set firmly in the trail to protect against future heavy flows running down the trail. This area also needed a great deal of removal of dirt from the inside edge that had accumulated, narrowing the tread. Woody was key to that effort. They then continued upwards throughout the day to handle additional de-duffing the inside, mild brushing and tread clean up.

Hank’s crew was the next in line. Their key tasks beside more de-duffing and brushing was to add several drains on a long, straight, steep run of trail to reduce water speeds during rains. Several first time volunteers were able to participate in this effort, with mentoring from Hank and Judd. Further uphill, they brushed back the huckleberry growing on the uphill side of the trail.

Helen’s crew dealt with a root ball that impinged on the trail corridor a bit, cutting back parts to widen the path and then improving the tread through widening. Ken worked with a new volunteer on a very nice drain in this section. The crew then handled several drains that needed to be re-established off the ends of switchbacks. They also removed log debris that was getting in the way on the up-hill side.

Bill’s crew, furthest up the trail to start, converted a “speed bump” style drain that had already been damaged under foot to a swale-style one at a wet turn in the trail that’s more open due to power lines running overhead. They worked on widening the tread in a number of places, too. One of their special projects was to replace some lost boulders that helped retain soil in the ramp at one end of a footbridge. They did a great job making it look like there was never a hole there. In addition, that crew helped to restore some width near the upper end of the trail where an uprooted tree had taken out some of the outer edge. They cut into the hillside a bit to accomplish this.

As the day went on the crews advanced to the longer switchbacks at about the 0.8 mile mark and were able to clean up the tread quite a bit there and do additional brushing. As a final push, several crews worked on removing lots of duff/dirt from the inside edge to restore the width on a long, steep section that eventually parallels a ravine with a bit of a causeway. It was just past this turn (about 0.9 miles in, flag 40) that we came to the end of our time and hiked out the upper end of the trail, to post “51”, then back down Archery Fire Rd to the trailer for drinks and snacks. Bill and Kathy were kind enough to coordinate snacks. Thanks to Dave C. for hauling the trailer.

-Judd Volino
2/27/20

Project: Purisima Creek Redwoods

Photo Album: Purisima Redwoods Photos 

Purisima Creek Redwoods – Redwood Trail
Trail Center Work Day Report
January 11, 2020

On Saturday, January 11, we returned to Midpeninsula Regional OSD’s Purisima Creek Redwood Open Space Preserve, this time to work on Redwood Trail. This 0.3 mile long path is one of MidPen’s five easy-access hiking trails, suitable for visitors of all physical abilities, and the only one in a redwood forest. By brushing, raking, repairing drains, and restoring the wheelchair accessible picnic areas, the Trail Center made this path once again fully accessible. The Trail Center was thrilled to participate in this important work, and its crews brought this enthusiasm to Saturday’s workday.
The weather was foggy to partly cloudy, with typical winter temperatures in the high 40’ to mid 50’s. The trail tread is a mix of organic and clay soil, largely saturated after recent rains. The work area was completely under redwood and Douglas tree shade except at the partially sunny picnic areas. Our 25 volunteers included both experienced hands and three first time volunteers.
We staged the trailer and volunteers in the Skyline Blvd pullout area immediately before the trailhead. Ranger Brendan Dolan provided expert supervision as well as several types of rakes specifically suited for the project. Work began immediately at the parking area and continued north for the entire length of the trail.
Each of the four crews restored one picnic area and cleared duff and organic debris off the trail tread. Karl’s crew also concentrated on clearing the handicap accessible parking area and on digging out and removing an extensive network of tree roots impeding the path. Volunteers under Hank’s guidance did yeoman’s work restoring the tread width along their section, finishing early enough to assist other crews. Helen’s crew had a busy day uprooting and bagging invasive non-native ivy and clearing drains and culverts at and near the midpoint restrooms. Judd and the Paly bunch removed a fallen log that had previously obscured the M. Betty Williams Memorial Grove before hiking to San Mateo County’s Huddart Park where they added two badly needed drains at the junction of Skyline and Richards Road Trails.
The original project scope included laying down base rock at various locations where needed. The Trail Center looks forward to returning to Redwood Trail later this spring, after the trail tread is sufficiently dry, to complete this work. The Trail Center Projects Committee will coordinate with the MidPen rangers to plan this final phase.
Thanks to Judd for driving the trailer, to Kathy for coordinating and signing in the volunteers at the beginning of the day, and to Larry for catering the snacks and beverages at the end of the day.

Bill Farrell

Project: Russian Ridge

Photo Album: Russian Ridge Photos 

Bay Area Ridge Trail Day at Russian Ridge
Work Day Report
November 2, 2019

The Russian Ridge Trail project, one of 14 sites participating in the Bay Area Ridge Trail service day, was held on November 2nd, 2019. About 38 volunteers, 4 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District staff, and representatives from the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council and REI attended the event. The weather was sunny and warm and the air, of concern due to wildfires in the area, was clean enough that we did not have to cancel the event.

The project, as specified by Maintenance Supervisor Brendan Dolan (MROSD), was to repair or implement drains along a 1/2 mile stretch of trail ending near the Vista parking area and to fix the tread where erosion had produced gullies, multiple tracks, inside ditches and other tread defects.

The challenge that faced the volunteers was cement-hard soil conditions (no rain prior to the workday) and the repetitive nature of the tasks of building and cleaning drains and repairing tread throughout the entire day. Despite these obstacles, the volunteers came through and completed all the work items on the project sheet. The objectives that Ranger Brendan outlined were completely fulfilled. And, thanks to some water-tank mules supplied and run by MROSD, many of the drains and repair spots were moistened sufficiently that the dirt should hold until the arrival of the next showers.

We couldn't have completed this project without the help and hard work of our 38 volunteers. Special thanks to our Trail Center crew leaders George Willis, Dave Croker, Karl Mosgofian, Judd Volino and William Farrell. Additionally, Kathy Diamond worked as volunteer coordinator, Larry Stites organized refreshments, and Judd Volino and Dave Croker managed the tool trailer.

Finally, the Trail Center wishes to thank MROSD for their help in organizing this event and for assistance with logistics and site preparation, Chipotle for lunch-time burritos and coupons, and REI for their sponsorship.

Respectfully submitted,

Hank Magnuski
Trail Boss
11/4/19

Project: Memorial Park 

Photo Album: Memorial Park Trail Photos 

San Mateo Memorial Park - Pomponio Trail
Work Day Report
August 24, 2019

Prepared by Bill Farrell/Trail Center

On Saturday, August 24, we returned to San Mateo County’s Memorial Park’s recently reopened Pomponio Trail to complete the work begun on October 13, 2018. The Trail Center was thrilled to participate in this important work, and its crews brought this enthusiasm to Saturday’s workday. The SMCP rangers were delighted for the trail to receive much needed TLC just before Labor Day, the park’s peak busiest weekend.
The weather was clear, with unexpectedly warm temperatures in the low 80’s by workday’s end. The trail tread is a mix of organic, sandy, sandstone soil, nicely workable after last season’s rains. That same rain brought significant overgrowth onto the trail, poison oak flowering everywhere, and even a rattlesnake! While mostly shaded by Douglas fir trees, the work area was occasionally exposed to full sun. Our 18 volunteers, plus 6 staff and crew, were a nice mix of veterans and dedicated new team members.
As before, we staged the trailer and volunteers in the pull-out area immediately before the park entrance kiosk. Bill Farrell got a head start on the group Wednesday afternoon and Tom Morris continued the work early Saturday morning. Both wielded the Shindaiwa weed-whackers like skilled samurai warriors to clear a path through the underbrush. In their wake, the volunteers hiked in one and a half miles (and several hundred feet elevation gain) via the Mt Ellen trail network.
All crews focused on brushing the uphill trailside and restoring trail width, with an eye to minimizing the need for SMCP rangers to return annually to weed-whack this sunlit, well fertilized, and rain drenched slope. Dave C’s crew did a superb job of brushing ceonothus, Douglas fir, coffee berry, coyote brush, and chinquapin while adding a much needed switchback drain. Eva and Karl’s crew made easy work of the worst portion of the trail, re-establishing its tread width in-hill and bypassing that badly eroded stretch. Aaron’s team bravely battled a belligerent ant colony even while rooting and removing an 8’ by 4’ patch of pampas grass that had all but obscured the trail (an all-day yet no insignificant effort).

Addendum: Bill Farrell returned to the worksite on Thursday 8/29/2019 to complete the work through Flag 102, re-establishing trail width for the last and needed 100 yards.
Thank you to all for completing the restoration of Pomponio Trail and making it ready for Labor Day, Memorial Park’s busiest weekend of the year. Visitors to this gem of San Mateo’s park system can now enjoy its hiking for years to come.

Bill Farrell
8/29/19

Project: Shasta/Trinity 

Trail Center volunteers travelled to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Northern California this year for our annual weekend in the mountains. A total of eight Trail Center volunteers accompanied by four personnel from the Pacific Crest Trail Association formed a crew to work on portions of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail in an area due west of Mt. Shasta.

Volunteers arrived at our camp location on Thursday evening the 25th, and we worked all day Friday, Saturday and finished our projects Sunday morning. The majority of the work was near PCT mile 1531, where access to Porcupine Lake, a very popular rest stop and water source for PCT thru-hikers, was improved. On Sunday morning one crew worked on tread repairs, fixing about 400 feet of trail at mile 1527 and another crew was active in clearing trees that decided to block the trail.

The end of each day featured a refreshing swim in Picayune Lake followed by drinks on the deck of the cabin that was our base of operations.

A very special thanks goes to Julia Kazaks who organized all the food purchases and meal planning and who served us 5-1/2 star meals throughout our stay.

The trail work was organized and funded by the Pacific Crest Trail Association and we thank Ian Nelson, PCTA Northern California Regional Representative, and Eleanore Anderson, PCTA Technical Advisor, for their involvement and leadership in this project.

Of course, without these dedicated volunteers the work wouldn't have gotten done: Dave Croker, Bill Farrell, Richard Feldman, Hank Magnuski, Judd Volino, Lucy Volino, Mark Waters, Reed Waters and George Willis.

It was a unique and beautiful area to visit.

Hank Magnuski
Project Supervisor

Project: Portola Redwoods 

Photo Album: Portola Redwoods Trail Photos 

Portola Redwoods State Park - Lower Escape, Slate Creek Trail, Slate Creek Trail Camp Access Road
Work Day Report
June 29, 2019

Prepared by Judd Volino/Trail Center

Trail Center returned to one of our regular sites, Portola Redwoods State Park to help with a diverse array of projects for this work day. Kent brought the trailer on his first try at that duty. Staging was at the Ramada group picnic area. The working conditions were wonderful, with cool 70s temperatures, no precipitation, and work areas mostly shaded by the awesome canopy in this park. We had a turnout of 6 TC staff, including crew leader trainee George. There were 16 other volunteers, including 11 on their first work day with Trail Center.

Bill’s crew, and a group supervised by trail boss Judd, took on the creation of a pathway through the very large slide that occurred on Lower Escape Trail in the winter of 2017, just about 75 yards from its south trailhead. Helpfully, before the work day State Parks staff were able to crosscut a 30” diameter log that blocked the most viable route. Judd’s crew, including experienced volunteer Jerel, widened and brushed the path leading to the slide to start the day, but soon turned to working on clearing debris to make the bench at one end. Kile, from the State Parks crew, joined in and provided feedback.

Meanwhile on the other side, Bill’s volunteers, with key help from Ken, Larry, and Neil, began carving a trail in a ramp of dirt and soft rock and removing debris in the heart of the slide.

Both of the crews above created some small retaining walls with redwood logs stripped of bark and keyed in to help widen the bench in key places. The wall on Bill’s end was hidden nicely by backfill. In the middle portion, large rocks were used to form some cribbing. To finish, the crews sprinkled duff on the new tread and the downhill side of the trail to restore a more natural appearance.

As the heavy work was done on the new path, some volunteers were sent north to do general maintenance on the remainder of Lower Escape, including brushing. removing rotted logs in the travelway, and cutting some small tan oaks that had tipped over across the trail. Dan from State Parks was able to cut a 10” dia. tree that was at face level across the whole trail. Another small group of brand new volunteers (all sporting beards) went with Kile to crosscut a section out of the very large tree that was across the Slate Creek Connector just off Upper Escape trail (site A on original work plan). Due to its size, actually moving the round will have to await rigging by State Parks staff.

In addition, Bill took a few volunteers to address two large logs that were impinging on the trail in another area on Slate Creek Trail. There were successful clearing the loose log and trimming back the immovable one to restore tread width, and repaired the tread a bit (site C on work plan).

Dave Croker, assisted by George and Kathy, and his crew shuttled in the State Parks’ “classic” Econoliner van with staffer Dan to the park boundary on Slate Creek Trail Camp Access Road. This portion of the road needed heavy brushing to make it passable by State Parks maintenance vehicles. When Dave C’s crew completed this work, they hiked the Slate Creek Trail to return, doing more brushing and some tread work along the way. They encountered a pair two very large (30-36” dia.) downed trees across the trail. We recommend State Parks address these trees because hikers must make their own off-trail routes around the trees currently. Regrettably, one of Dave C’s crew members hit a yellow jacket nest at one point on Slate Creek Trail, which did result in her and another volunteer receiving multiple stings.

Feedback from the new volunteers was overwhelmingly positive. One, who had learned of us at the recent Sunnyvale Library Outdoor Expo, commented “This is just what I was looking for!”

Two volunteers, Neil and Kent, received their well-deserved green Trail Steward shirts at the end of the work day. Volunteers snacked on the items brought by Larry back at the Ramada.

Judd Volino
Trail boss
6/29/2019

Project: Windy Hill 

Photo Album: Windy Hill Trail Photos 

On National Trails Day about 20 volunteers, five crew leaders, two staff and Rangers from the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District gathered to complete work on the second half of the Lost Trail.

The weather was clear and dry, but the trail was very wet and muddy in spots due to the unseasonal rain throughout most of May. This led to some interesting challenges.

Volunteers and tools were shuttled by MROSD staff to the trailhead of the Razorback Ridge Trail and then proceeded northward to their assigned worksites. At the end of the day tools were dropped off at the central access road and volunteers walked the remaining distance to the north parking lot where we had refreshments and a raffle.

The majority of work for the day was recentering the tread, moving it uphill and widening it to meet standards. Fixing some of the muddy spots involved a variety of approaches and tactics including adding new drains, removing berms, outsloping, and scraping off organic matter that was blocking water flow. The crews worked hard at these tasks and made some amazing transformations in the quality of the surfaces in many locations.

All of the assigned tasks were completed and the crew leaders were able to do a number of bonus projects, including some remedial work on the northern half of the trail which was not scheduled for the day.

My assessment is that the Lost Trail work is complete for now and the trail is in pretty decent condition overall.

I wish to thank Karl, Lisa, Bill, Judd and Dave T. for excellent crewleading, Kathy for coordinating volunteers and Larry for arranging snacks. We also wish to thank Brendan Dolan and the MROSD Staff for great logistics support and for the donation of raffle items to end the day with fun rewards.

And, of course, special thanks to all the volunteers who came out and spent their day working on the trail.

Hank Magnuski
Trail boss
6/3/2019

Project: Pomponio Trail 

Photo Album: Pomponio Trail Photos 

On Saturday, May 11, we returned to San Mateo County’s Memorial Park’s recently reopened Pomponio Trail to continue the work begun on October 13, 2018. The Trail Center was thrilled to participate in this important work, and its crews brought this enthusiasm to Saturday’s workday. The SMCP rangers were delighted for the trail to receive much needed TLC just before Mother’s Day, the traditional beginning of the park’s peak season.

The weather was clear, with unexpectedly warm temperatures in the low 80’s by workday’s end. The trail tread is a mix of organic, sandy, sandstone soil, nicely workable after last season’s rains. That same rain brought significant overgrowth onto the trail, poison oak flowering everywhere, and even a rattlesnake! While occasionally shaded by Douglas fir trees, the work area was mostly exposed to full sun. Our 34 volunteers, including 9 staff and crew, were a largely seasoned crew plus a few VERY energetic first time volunteers.

As before, we staged the trailer and volunteers in the pull-out area immediately before the park entrance kiosk. Dave C got a head start on the group Friday afternoon, hitching a ride from Ranger Brian to the western end of Pomponio Trail, and Tom Morse joined Dave early Saturday morning. Both wielded the Shindaiwa weed-whackers like skilled samurai warriors to clear a path through the underbrush. In their wake, the volunteers hiked in two miles (and several hundred feet elevation gain) via the Mt Ellen trail network.

Lisa and Karl’s crew began at the most remote western end. They quickly repaired winter damage on the previously worked section before advancing on hundreds of yards of brushing, benching, tread width restoration.

Hank’s crew had the best opportunity to work on their suntans. Entirely in full sun, they brushed, benched, stumped, and proved no match for the abundant holly and coyote brush.

Judd lead the Palo Alto High seniors on the next section. An experienced and tireless crew, they expertly rerouted and flattened a previous impossibly steep section. Their work was nothing short of artistry. Most dramatic was when they flushed out an adolescent rattlesnake (far more dangerous than the shyer, more sensibly discrete adults). Happily, the viper and the volunteers all lived to tell the tale. Who could asp for more?

One would be stumped to find a crew to rival Woody’s for removing madrone and ceanothus roots. They also performed unscheduled (but needed and welcomed) log-out of winter blow-down on the Mt Ellen trail approach.

The Trail Center looks forward to returning to Pomponio Trail, possibly later this Fall, to complete the portion between Flag 15 and the Mt Ellen trail network. The Trail Center Projects Committee will coordinate with the Memorial Park rangers to plan this next phase.

Thanks to Judd for driving the tool trailer, to Kathy for coordinating and signing in our glorious volunteers, and to Larry for catering the snacks and beverages at the end of the day. Special thanks to Ranger Dave Vasquez for his assistance in coordinating the work and for graciously offering and preparing the beautiful Huckleberry Flat area for the Trail Center Friday night campers.

Bill Farrell
5/14/2019

Project: Craig Britton Trail 

Photo Album: Craig Britton Trail Photos 

For our Earth Day project we worked on the Craig Britton Trail in the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, part of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. This trail is also part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail.

About twenty volunteers attended and were led by crewleaders Dave Croker, Judd Volino and Bill Farrell. Hank Magnuski was supervisor for the day.

In the morning the precipitation exceeded expectations and we were all standing in the rain waiting for our shuttles. Fortunately, the worksites were reasonably sheltered in the forest and the rain dissipated as the morning progressed. There were a few spots with a little more moisture in the soil than we needed, but most of the trail was quite workable.

We staged from the North Lot and shuttled to the Purisima Creek Trailhead where MROSD staff drove us and the tools to the Craig Britton Trailhead. We thank Brendan Dolan and his assistant ranger for these rides because they tremendously helped to increase energy and time available to work on the trail. While riding the ATV Mules down to the trailhead some of the volunteers felt like they were in a scene straight out of Jurassic Park with a windy, wet road and dark forest all around.

We were able to finish a lot, but not all, of the southern half of the Craig Britton Trail. The majority of the work done was widening tread and reestablishing the inside edge. From the original plan the centrally located markers CB216-CB220 were not assigned because of the distance involved and due to the earth already being hard-baked. All work was completed up to CB235, but CB236 and higher remain to be done.

The crewleaders estimate that there is one more day's work left on this trail and we should probably re-survey and possibly plan a revisit for the November BART Service Day.

Many thanks to all involved for these repairs,

Hank Magnuski
12-May-2019