Project: Sam McDonald Park
Photo Album: Sam McDonald Photos
Heritage Grove Trail – Sam McDonald County Park
Trail Center Work Day Report
September 11, 2021
On Saturday, September 11, we returned to San Mateo County’s Sam
McDonald Park to work on the historic Heritage Grove Trail. This park
was deeded to the County by the turn of 19th Century landholder, a
former groundskeeper for Stanford University, and is perhaps one of
only two non-urban parks named after an African American Californian.
The weather was perfect for trail work. 65 to 75 degrees, clear
skies, and no wind. The entire trail was well shaded, and the soil
was easily workable, consisting of a good mix of organic duff and
mineral underlay.
We staged the 17 volunteers (including Trail Center crew leaders and
boss) at the Sam McDonald parking lot. They were then shuttled to the
Alpine Road trailhead where the Trail Center trailer awaited. SMCP
supplied the milled and drilled lumber, foundation stakes, specialty
tools, and gas powered electrical generator required for installation.
Chief Ranger Dave Vasquez assisted throughout the workday. He, Sean,
and Tom went above and beyond the call of duty to carry the very heavy
8x8x 3ft timbers the ¼ mile uphill to the worksites.
The Trail Center demolished and replaced two rotting half-century old
staircases. Dave C’s crew installed 10 new steps and 3 not previously
identified between Mileposts 23 and 24. Judd’s crew replaced 5 steps
at a particularly steep portion immediately above Milepost 24. Hank’s
crew brushed and re-established tread over a ¼ mile length of trail.
Jerroll and Tiara cleaned up the junction at Milepost 23, rerouting
hikers onto the existing trail and clearing debris from the drainage
culvert.
Remaining work scheduled for Saturday, October 9, includes two more
steps at Dave C’s worksite, complete demolition and replacement of
Staircase # 4, ¼ miles above Milepost 24, and brushing and treadwork
of Heritage Grove Trail annex to the Sierra Club Hiking Hut. The gas
powered Shindaiwa hedge trimmer, supplied by the Trail Center, will be
required for this work.
The October work shall require of SMCP:
Qty 10 8x8x 3 ft timbers, pre-drilled three times as previously
Qty 50 foundation stakes
Special thanks to Dave V for providing materials and equipment, Dave C
for driving the trailer, and to Kathy and Larry for coordinating our
glorious volunteers.