Trail Project to connect Camosun to Francis King Park- Volunteers wanted

[Rolf]

Okay, Lister. We’ll aim to be out there for 6, too.

[Rolf]

We had a lot of fun yesterday morning hacking a new trail through 12-ft. tall blackberries, flipping boulders, prying out stumps, and getting an awesome "crossfit" workout for a great cause.

Our first goal was to cut a swath through this large outcrop of brambles.



Alan opted for scything.



While Lister, Daniel, and Amy were scouting and working on trail portions higher up, I stuck with pruning shears and Craig went for gasoline!



Did I mention "crossfit"? Despite sacrificing a morning ride, we enjoyed a comprehensive, sweaty cardio workout—including some good upper body efforts.



By quitting time just after 8, we'd carved out the beginnings of a new switchback that will help avoid a nasty grade subject to water flows. I can't wait to see how Daniel (NTS Exec. Director, SIMBS President, steward of Hartland MTB Park) will build this out over the summer—with our help.



Come join the fun! I think a crew may be heading out again this Saturday, and I'm definitely keen to do another 6 am start next Wednesday, July 4. Watch this space for confirmation and ride details!

[Lister Farrar]

Bravo to Rolf, Alan, Amy, Daniel, Craig (and Pazza for keeping the rabbits at bay).

It was a remarkable achievement clearing that jungle of blackberries. Everyone sacrificed calories, calluses, hydration and shins. The rest will be easy compared to that.

Hope you can join us. It's surprisingly fun to see a trail emerge. And a really cool thing is the new line winds (i think we're up to 5 gentle switchbacks) around garry oaks and arbutus trees, along massive rock ledges and faces, vs submerged in the blackberries on the original line. Daniel even marked in a loop to a lookout with water views of Juan de Fuca Strait. It's gonna a be a fabulous destination trail, never mind just a way between Colquitz and Francis King.

Come put your mark on it.

[JTyre]

Thank you Rolf for deepening my already acute homesickness. Kudos though to you and all the other druids, two and four legged alike.

[katew]

You and me both, J. You and me both.

[Rolf]

We are confirmed with NTS for another Hector Connector trail-building party next Wednesday, July 4, at 6 a.m. (carpool details to be posted soon.)

John: you should be over your jet lag by then; I look forward to seeing you with your tool in your hand. ...

KW: it cuts both ways.

[Lister Farrar]

Can anyone come for trail building tomorrow after the vcl race at Windsor? Come even out your lower body fitness with some core and upper body! We need 6 to make it worth Nature Trail Society’s while. We have three, me and a parent and rider with the youth program. I can drive up to four more. Blackberries are done! Land sculpting and monument building phase.

[Lister Farrar]

Oops, left out the time. 10:30 at 305 Hector.

[Lister Farrar]

This week's trail sessions so you can plan your week:

>>>>>>>>>Wednesday morning 6:00 am -8:00 or 9:00 am.

>>>>>>>>>Saturday morning 9:00 to 12:00 or 1.

In both sessions NTS will have pro builders there to direct us.

It's strongly recommended to do a some sessions with the experts before working on your own. One of the neighbours was working after our session Wednesday, and went to a lot of trouble moving large rocks into position, which had to be moved away again to dig out the organic layer so the base is firm enough to stand up. We don't want to waste anyone's valuable labour.

[Lister Farrar]

Remy and his dad cut a whole new switchback around where the old line funnelled water down the fall line. Environmentally responsible and fun for us. Win win.

[Lister Farrar]

This was my spot, where Nicky raked off leaf debris and I harvested roots and rocks. Excellent crop of prime building blocks.

[Lister Farrar]

Nicky, 1, blackberry tentacle, 0.

[Alan]

Lister, I think Rolf, John and I are into doing some trail building this week. Right Rolf? Wednesday same bat time, same bat place
I was just practicing moving some trees with my tractor. (not as viewed)

[Rolf]

I'm driving from Fairfield tomorrow (July 4th) around 5:40 or so to make it to Hector for 6:00 a.m. I'll then be heading downtown sometime between 8:00 and 8:30.

Post here or PM me if you'd like a pick-up or drop-off. Funfun!

[Lister Farrar]

I’m driving, hopefully picking up youth team family members en route. But seats available in my car too.

[Lister Farrar]

Saturday 9 am-1 trail session. Bring pick axes or mattocks, rakes, work gloves. The main job now is removing organic layer from the trail path, down to mineral soil, remove roots and rocks,and placing rocks beside the trail for the builders to use as the base when we know we're deep enough.

Also bring lots of water, sun hat, sturdy shoes, long pants probably better even if its warm.

I'm driving at 8:30 if anyone would like a ride up.

The address is 305 Hector. Park on the driveway, but leave room for the owners to pass. Dogs welcome.

See ya

[Rolf]

Wednesday dawn patrol session tomorrow: I'll be driving from Fairfield/Oak Bay around 5:30 and I'm happy to pick YOU up and drop you downtown or back home around 8-8:30.

Plenty of raking, boulder extraction, and organic soil movement left to do. Let's get this thing built!

[Lister Farrar]

I’m at superweek this week so will miss your energy and company guys. Have fun. See you next week for sure.

[Lister Farrar]

Trail day tomorrow am. You know you'd rather do core for 'cross season than hills, right?

I'm driving up about tomorrow am about 5:40 am. Can pick up en route from Davie street (near oak bay bikes) to Hector. Text to book a seat. Dogs welcome. Breakfast after? (Rolf and Alan (and John?) are out for this week.)

Rolf and co. made progress last week, clearing another section over the hill, and leaving Stonehenge Switchback for Druid warrior Amy and the pros.

Work can be as light or heavy as you like; prune or make the earth move. You know your dog will love you more after too.

[Lister Farrar]

Trail Day Saturday at 9:00-12:00. I'm driving up if anyone wants a lift. Dogs welcome. Come leave a legacy of sustainable activity and transportation, community connection, and get in touch with your inner druid.

Pruning, raking, digging (pick axing), rock collecting, boulder rolling, all available depending on your desires.

Here's a cool new video from the nature trail society on their building standards.

https://www.facebook.com/NatureTrailsSo ... 773756372/

Daniel can't be there tomorrow because he has a short term contract with View Royal to finish with his crew, so the most focus will be on excavating the trail tread like in this video. I've found I can work quite comfortably with a pick (small swings, more like hoeing) for a couple hours scraping off vegetation and the top soil, and pulling out rocks to lay by the trail for building later once we know the trail level is into firm soil.

Maybve a quick swim to wash off the dust at Prospect lake and lunch at cafe mosi after? http://www.mosibakery.com/