We're going to change our end of year workday from September 17th to October 8th. Please note this on your calendar if you already planned to be there.

Since we will be providing dinner Saturday night it's very important that you let us know if you plan to stay for the BBQ so we have enough food for all.

After access became available the top part of the trail was still wet and use of the trail created a couple of muddy spots we need to fix before they get any worse. One is inbetween Winch Hills 3 and 4. We'll move some trees that fell and harden the trail with rock from the area. The second is a two parter at the approach to Winch Hill 5. We'll harden both areas with rock taken from the base of the winch hill.

We'll meet at Meadow Lake Saturday morning and head down to the work areas. Dinner will be back at Meadow Lake after the workday.

I'll be camping at Meadow Lake Friday night if anyone would like to join me. Please contact me at bret@fordycetrail.org to sign up.

in!

Thanks Scott. We can still get up there before that to get those sign posts in since they're on the start of the trail. I'll PM you about possible dates.

Thanks for putting this out there, Bret – we’re all in this together, and Trek relies upon having an accessible trail to attract participants.

I appreciate the Friends of Fordyce (FOF) efforts to maintain both the trail and the relationship with the forest service managers who decide what happens on it.
Let’s work together to repair/maintain Fordyce Trail – I think it is what Ed Dunkley (one of the founders of Sierra Trek) would do, and that’s more than good enough for me. See you up there on October 8! Cal4Wheel reclaimed this trail originally from the overgrowth, popularized its use, and for many years, was solely responsible for ongoing repair and maintenance, but that has fallen away in the last few years – this is a great opportunity to pick back up and join in with FOF for the same goals.

I’ll be at the FOF weelend in October, please join me! With my luck it’ll snow, but you know that I’ll find a way to get in there!

Randii
Randy Burleson
Event Chairman
Sierra Trek 2011

ill be there too.

ill be there too.

Just for the day or an overnight? :flipoff2:

most likely overnight but i gotta clear it with my work. shouldn't be a problem:grinpimp:

Count me in!:D

Cleared the trip with the other half last night. I'll be driving up late Friday night or early Saturday morning. I used the trail at Trek to and from wh4. Seems like the right thing to come back up for maintenance.

edit: re-read the 1st post....I'll stick around Sat night and cut out Sunday morning

:smokin:

Looks like Trek WH4 will have a showing looks like 4-5 guys/gals will be helping out

Great! Thanks for all the response. Gonna be a great day and a fun night.

Cool... I’m looking forward to hanging out with some of the people I only see in passing on the winch hills during Trek.

Just bringing this back to the top. It's getting closer! Looks like we'll have 30 to 40 people there. Great turnout!!

Plan is still to meet at Meadow Lake Saturday morning at 9am, head out to the two work areas at the base of Winch Hill 5 and down below Winch Hill 4, then head back for free dinner at Meadow.

All the volunteers need to bring is personal protective equipment and their favorite adult beverage (if desired) for Saturday night. We'll be supplying water, sodas and snacks for the day and at the BBQ. Hope everyone will join us camping Saturday night.

If anyone has an off road trailer and is willing to use it for moving rock let us know.

Looking forward to seeing you all there. Jeff and I will be camping at Meadow Friday night for anyone wanting to come up early and join us.

Getting close!! Going to be a great time.

Free meat Saturday night.

Come join us for the fun!!!!!

Are you planning on staying in the campground at Meadow Brett?

Fmc!!!

Are you planning on staying in the campground at Meadow Brett?

I was thinking we'd set up camp in the last area on the left as you enter Meadow from the trail but we're going to play it by ear. Jeff and I will be getting to Meadow Friday afternoon so look for the FOF banner when you arrive.

Hey Bret, since we're getting close to the 8th, I thought you might want some kind of head count for the workday. Between the Madhatter's 4x4 club and a few from the Foresthill Fourwheelers club, we will have between 20-25 workers for you. Hope this helps for food estimating and work distribution on Saturday. Thanks for all you and the members of FOF are doing.
Scott

Thanks Scott. Looks like we'll have around 35-40 people. A great turn out.

The weather for the weekend looks great too!

Looking forward to a good workday and a great celebration afterwards at Meadow.

Hay guys, thanks for all you're doing. We have planned our annual club Fordyce run for the 8th & 9th so we'll be seeing you around. We're the Sierra Stompers from Minden- Gardnerville. We're planning to camp at Meadow also and will camp away, may come by to introduce ourselves sometime though. Again, super what you're doing. Please let us know for next year, Facebook- Sierra Stompers. this is Thom.

This early winter weather sure makes logistics more difficult. The work day is still on as planned. The forecast for Friday and the weekend looks perfect so we are confident we will be able to accomplish at least some of our goals (still hopeful for all of our goals). A smaller group of us are planning on getting to Meadow Lake Friday afternoon and we will report the current conditions. With all that said we completely understand if people in your group don’t feel comfortable heading out to the trail so closely after a storm. We sure don’t want people to feel pressured into something out of their comfort zone.

still very inside my comfort zone. See you there.

The way I see it the "Free Beer" will be cold. :D

me and my buddy will be heading into eagle lakes tonight and we'll see how much is really up there. either way we will be at the work party sat morning.

still very inside my comfort zone. See you there.

Have you driven in snow before? :laughing:

A smaller group of us are planning on getting to Meadow Lake Friday afternoon and we will report the current conditions.
Cool -- i'll keep an eye out for updates, since I'll be sporting the Subaru as usual. Snow tires and a willingness to let momentum blast me through berms worked out well in August. :p

Randii

Cool -- i'll keep an eye out for updates, since I'll be sporting the Subaru as usual. Snow tires and a willingness to let momentum blast me through berms worked out well in August. :p

Randii

Get a running start in Truckee and never lift! :D

Have you driven in snow before? :laughing:

Thats funny!

:lmao:

Cool -- i'll keep an eye out for updates, since I'll be sporting the Subaru as usual. Snow tires and a willingness to let momentum blast me through berms worked out well in August. :p

Randii



I heard the rescue involved some boyscouts!:stirthepot:
:D

How much snow fell over the last couple of days? Is the trail under 3 feet of snow?

How much snow fell over the last couple of days? Is the trail under 3 feet of snow?

Heavenly reported ~5 inches of snowfall... I think you will be ok :laughing:

I heard the rescue involved some boyscouts!:stirthepot: :D
Busted! Well, they tried, at least. :p

Randii

From this morning...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=13453099&postcount=29


We have a little over a foot of snow on the ground at Cisco Grove campground. This is going to make Fordyce fun. :smokin:

Have you driven in snow before?

I have but people said I need more practice. That and the used windshield I put in after last time is pitted anyways.

From this morning...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=13453099&postcount=29

ive got pictures of what looks to be 20+ inches at the pass from this morning

my jeep is down this year so you'all enjoy yourselves i'll be sulking at home pouring concrete for a driveway

I heard the work party has been cancelled due to extreme weather. True?

I heard the work party has been cancelled due to extreme weather. True?

Looks Like it is still on.

This early winter weather sure makes logistics more difficult. The work day is still on as planned. The forecast for Friday and the weekend looks perfect so we are confident we will be able to accomplish at least some of our goals (still hopeful for all of our goals). A smaller group of us are planning on getting to Meadow Lake Friday afternoon and we will report the current conditions. With all that said we completely understand if people in your group don’t feel comfortable heading out to the trail so closely after a storm. We sure don’t want people to feel pressured into something out of their comfort zone.

Ahhhhh...sitting at Meadow. Clear sky and a bright moon. The meadow is almost glowing from the 2 feet of fresh power.

The work day is still on but it's going to be an abrieviated version of the original plan. We will do what we can but with this much snow it will be limited.

The Satuday night BBQ is STILL on!! If you can get here it's going to be a good time.

We came in through committee and broke trail starting just about as you head down to the river.

Ahhhhh...sitting at Meadow. Clear sky and a bright moon. The meadow is almost glowing from the 2 feet of fresh power.
Two feet in the Subaru... I'm out, darnit. Looks like I need to change the radiator out anyway, but I'd rather be at Meadow in the moonlight, it doesn't get much quieter than a fresh snowfall.

Randii (envious)

Well even though we scheduled the workday 1 week too late for weather we still were able to get something accomplished and had a great Saturday night BBQ. We had a large number of volunteers scheduled to attend but the early snow really messed that up. Not only was some of the work we wanted to do under snow but the trail wasn't mildly built rig friendly this weekend. We do appreciate the committment they made to be there but fully understand why they couldn't make it.

We were able to work on the mudhole below Winch Hill 4 and get the trail routed back where it belonged. A couple of large trees fell last winter and the bypass that was created turned into a problem. We cut and moved the trees and filled in the hole with debris from the area.

The BBQ Saturday night was great and the weather all weekend was wonderful. Pretty cold at night but clear and warm during the day.

The reworked FOF trailer handled the trail like a champ. Did not roll once and didn't hinder my progress up trail in the least even climbing the winch hills in a foot of snow.

Below are some pictures of the work area before and after and our camp. Thanks again to those that came out. We are grateful for your committment especially considering the conditions.

Pics.

More pics.

Good fire.

great time as always:

For those curious about this.

From the Madhatters on Thursday

At the 5 mile marker (on the truckee side) they ran into the a group of Sheriffs driving a large snow cat and two snow mobiles. They were headed to Meadow Lake to rescue stranded campers.

Are you referring to the campers with horses?

A couple of pics.

FOF trailer in action.

An eerie fog over camp Saturday morning.

And of course Old Man Mt.

For those curious about this.

From the Madhatters on Thursday

At the 5 mile marker (on the truckee side) they ran into the a group of Sheriffs driving a large snow cat and two snow mobiles. They were headed to Meadow Lake to rescue stranded campers.

And apparently they warned them not to go any further which is why some of our volunteers didn't show up. Bummer.

Want to give a big thanks to the other two Adopt-a-Trail clubs that were on the trail this last weekend.

The Webilt club did some work on the off camber section and beefed up the blockade of the old trail section at the mud hole reroute.

The Four Dice club beefed up the blockade of the old trail section at the committee reroute.

Thanks to both of these clubs for their continued work and support of the Fordyce trail!!

:beer::beer:

Unfortunately I heard somebody already broke through the block we put in at the top of committee.

Are you referring to the campers with horses?

Yes

Unfortunately I heard somebody already broke through the block we put in at the top of committee.
mebbe time for a range fence or other heavy picket?

Or trail markers. I know once there is snow on the ground its hard to tell where you are going. People that only come up there every few years are not going to know the new route. They will go the way they know.
Having more signs that mark the way should help.
Nothing fancy, just some signs and arrows.

There is a trail marker on a tree to the left at the bottom of the new bypass.
However, it just said Fordyce Trail, it could probably use an arrow.

Thanks to all the volunteers, FOF, Four Dice and WeBilt.

Without the dedication these people have we would not have such a great trail. There was some snow this weekend but work still got done. Good job all!

JDunn

Or trail markers. I know once there is snow on the ground its hard to tell where you are going. People that only come up there every few years are not going to know the new route. They will go the way they know.
Having more signs that mark the way should help.
Nothing fancy, just some signs and arrows.

I agree 100%. It's unrealistic for the occasional user to know every inch of the trail and honest mistakes can happen. Better signage is in the works!

Mistakes can be made, no argument there.

Whomever broke through this blockade did not do it without know what they were doing. We had 30 feet of trail blocked with downed trees laying every different direction. Unless someone thought the forest threw up and dumped all these trees in one spot, they had to know they were placed there.

The top blockade looked like it had been driven over/through when we went by at around 1:30pm Sunday.

I was just shaking my head.:shaking:

How in the fawk can someone drive over a blockade that is that obvious!:mad3:

The top blockade looked like it had been driven over/through when we went by at around 1:30pm Sunday.

I was just shaking my head.:shaking:

How in the fawk can someone drive over a blockade that is that obvious!:mad3:


Easy. You absolutely cannot stop stupid. Same crap happened EVERY year at gatekeeper on the Con :shaking:

Need better signage and to rig some explosives just in case :flipoff2:

It was that way when I drove by @6:30pm Saturday night.
4-5 hours after the work was completed.

The only rigs I saw going up Committee (when I was going down around 2pm) were the 3 Scouts, and the group of guys in Early Bronco/buggies & and a YJ.

Both groups used the new route.

They just don't get it. These are the guys who will shrug their shoulders and curse the Forest Service for closing the trail, without taking any responsibility for their actions.

This reroute was done at the suggestion of PG&E whom owns the road, and the US Forest Service who came out, and together the area was surveyed to find the best place to run the trail. This lower section of Committee is in the trees and over bare dirt, and the errosion was becoming a big problem, and no way to stop it.

The reroute is no longer an easy escape route for broken rigs, but it is what it is. It was not made more difficult by design, but by necessity, and is certainly no more difficult than most other sections on the Fordyce Creek Trail.

No doubt about it…it was driven over intentionally. The group that went that way didn’t really care that they were hundreds of feet off trail and drove straight through the blockade. Not moving it…straight over the top. (this from an eye witness…no me)

The reroute is no longer an easy escape route for broken rigs, but it is what it is.

It was not made more difficult by design, but by necessity, and is certainly no more difficult than most other sections on the Fordyce Creek Trail.

I disagree with the first part. On the old route I have used several rigs to pull a broken rig up the dirt hill because it was so loose. Two weeks ago I went up the new route with a broke rear 4 link and front wheel drive. My buddy gave me a couple tugs on the way up and it was not bad.

A better blockade is in the works. We are going to get PG&E together with the Forest Service and FOF volunteers to drop a bunch of BIG trees all along the old route. It won't happen until next year but when it's done it will be impossible to travel the old route.

Better signage might do more. Something along the lines of "Area closed to keep the rest of the trail open". Might help people understand why the initial blockade is there in the first place.


A better blockade is in the works. We are going to get PG&E together with the Forest Service and FOF volunteers to drop a bunch of BIG trees all along the old route. It won't happen until next year but when it's done it will be impossible to travel the old route.

"Area closed to keep the rest of the trail open"

I like it! Short and to the point. I think it would help also. If we make a sign like this we can get a few extra printed and put them on both sides of current re-routes (mud hole) and future ones.

Our group of 4 Sierra Stompers came in on Committee new way Sun about noon, saw you guys heading out while we played at Squeeze then we pulled out Committee about 8: PM new way and never saw the guys that went over the blockade. The signs sound great.

Better signage might do more. Something along the lines of "Area closed to keep the rest of the trail open". Might help people understand why the initial blockade is there in the first place.

ding ding we have a winner :eek:

but add an arrow pointing which way, the sign up there right now can be confusing at night to people unfamiliar with the trail.