RUBICON WORK Day: NOV. 9th

[Jeepndel]

November 9th we're going to be back out there working on our new section of trail by the slabs/Ellis Creek.

Randii Burleson and Joe Pasic are leading the charge here. Randii is talking to the USFS (Rich Platte) to try to pin down things for us.

NOV. 9th. Sign up here or on FOTR or with Randii so he'll know about how many folks are showing up. COOL.

Randii will post details here.
Del

[randii]

November 9, it is!
Verified with Del.

Randii

[rockwrangler]

I'll be there and with some very warn/warm clothes and the motorhome:D

[randii]

11/09/02 FOTR Work Day on new Rubicon Access

I have synched this plan up with Del Albright (FOTR), Rich Platte (USFS), and Al Richter (represents he property owners).


----- SATURDAY, 11/09/02 -- RAIN OR SHINE -----
On Saturday, November 9, we'll meet at the Loon Lake spillway at 9:00 AM, separate into teams, then pull out for the top of the granite bowl, at the Southern Entrance to the new trail (N 39*00.905' by W 120*18.519').

We have two teams for this work day:
* Joe Pasic will head up the sign/marker team. His crew will post Forest Service-provided laminated paper signs at both ends (the top of the granite bowl, where the access trail joins the Wentworth leg of the Rubicon Trail), as well as at the spillway and at the Ellis Creek campground. This crew may also be driving carsonite markers to help locate the red-painted survey monuments along the trail, but this one is still up in the air. This crew works rain or shine. (Bring RAIN_GEAR and a hammer -- the Forest Service will also be providing temporary markers.)
* Randy Burleson (me) will head up the rice straw team... If the weather holds up, our task is to take the already-positioned 60 bales of straw and spread them out where the Forest service indicates. If the weather sucks, we anchor protective plastic ground sheets and wrap the bales for the winter. (Bring RAIN_GEAR, work gloves, knives (for cutting bale twine), pitchforks, and perhaps rakes.)

I'm hoping that a bit of advanced notice and the fact that this weekend if a long weekend for some (Veterans' Day weekend) may free up more volunteers than we had at the last FOTR work day (we need at least 20 crew members on the straw crew (that's three bales per) and 5-10 people on the sign/marker crew. More people would be better than less...


----- CRUMMY WEATHER QUICK RESPONSE TEAM ------
If it does precipitate significantly between now and then, I have volunteered myself and Mike Pulskamp (if anyone else is available on short notice, please email me separately at: randii@4x4wire.com) to drive up and roll out and stake down plastic sheeting to minimize erosion. Rich Platte is game to wait until spring for straw distribution -- but only if necessary. The work weekend would still go on as planned, but we'd need fewer people on the straw team. We'd still need workers to better anchor the plastic and wrap the bales for the winter.


FYI, there's a lot of work still to be done on this access trail reroute. Our temporary signs will really help, but the County and Forest Service are collaborating on permanent markers and signs, as well as possible informational kiosks. All this stuff will be run through the Rubicon Oversight Committee, where Del can keep an eye on it.

I'm looking forward to another strong FOTR showing -- I'll see you all up there! Please feel free to forward this in email, post it on a BBS, or otherwise distribute it. We'll put every volunteer to work -- just show up at the spillway at 9:00 on the 9th!

Randii

[rockwrangler]

Joe /Randi
I would like to sign up for the sign/marker (Joe's team)
Should We also bring nails with the hammers???
How about a cordless drill and sheet rock screws as well!!
I can aslo bring a rake or two
let me know
Jerry

[Rokmycj]

Hey man I sent you an email. Give me a call.
Joe

[randii]

I would like to sign up for the sign/marker (Joe's team)
We don't really have a formal in-advance signup -- show up at the spillway and we'll put you on that crew.

A hammer will be handy, but the forest service is gonna provide aluminum nails for the signs/markers. Iron-based nails eventually rust away....

A cordless drill might come in handy, but the rake -- that is really the ticket!

Randii

[Jeepndel]

Hi All,
I wanted to let you know that I have to go to the East Coast for our work weekend. I'm attending the East Coast Four Wheel Drive Association Convention in PA and have to do my tap dance back there. :)
I know our project will go well and I will be there in spirit.
I really appreciate how we're all working together to keep our trail open and useable.
Thanks, Del

[Dan-H]

Severe Weather Alert from the National Weather Service

...WINTER STORM OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV 300 AM PST
MON NOV 4 2002
...HEAVY SNOW POSSIBLE IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF THE SIERRA AND
WESTERN NEVADA MOUNTAINS THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY...

A STRONG WESTERLY JET STREAM ACROSS THE CENTRAL PACIFIC WILL DIRECT A
SERIES OF WET PACIFIC FRONTAL SYSTEMS INTO THE SIERRA AND WESTERN
NEVADA LATER THIS WEEK. WET AND WINDY CONDITIONS WILL BEGIN LATE
THURSDAY AND CONTINUE FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY.

PRECIPITATION WILL BEGIN AS RAIN IN MOST VALLEY LOCATIONS WITH SNOW
AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF THE SIERRA AND WESTERN NEVADA MOUNTAINS. SNOW
LEVELS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AROUND 6500 TO 7500 FEET ON THURSDAY
POSSIBLY DROPPING TO THE 5000 TO 6000 FOOT RANGE SATURDAY.
PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO DIMINISH BY SUNDAY.

THE PASSES AND HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF THE SIERRA MAY SEE HEAVY SNOW
WITH THIS STORM MAKING TRAVEL DIFFICULT. HIGH WINDS ARE EXPECTED
ALONG THE SIERRA AND TO THE LEE OF THE MOUNTAINS AS WELL.

PERSONS PLANNING TRAVEL SHOULD STAY ALERT TO CHANGING WEATHER
CONDITIONS LATE THIS WEEK INTO THE WEEKEND.

[twn44s]

Thanks Dan I sent Randy an email wanting to know if the emergancy cover the straw team had to get up there within the next couple of days to cover uo the straw.

[randii]

I have a call into USFS to see how they want to handle it... no news yet. As far as I know, we'll be up there rain or shine on Saturday, fighting the good fight for trail access (marking the trail, spreading rice straw, etc!)

Randii

[ROCK HUGGER]

Does this mean the tractor work is completed?

[twn44s]

Originally posted by ROCK HUGGER
Does this mean the tractor work is completed?
More than likely the work is done. there is nothing like trying to spread straw when it is wet :D , looks like I have to put the old top on the Jeep

Randy let me know if you need anything picked up here in P-ville or Camino.

[randii]

I'm awfully busy with SEMA midweek, but I think we're still getting the good work done before and after... I'll be only available by email late in the evening of Wednesday and Thursday.

WEATHER
Well, I've seen the forecast, and it looks crummy. :(
I am waiting to hear back from Rich Platt as to how he'd like to proceed -- for now, please plan to show up Saturday at 9:00, ready to work. Even if there is a light dusting of snow, there is still work to be done. At minimum, we need to hang the signs and position the trail markers. I fully expect to be distributing the rice straw, but there is a faint chance that we'll be anchoring plastic sheeting over erosion-prone areas and tarping the bales for later distribution. This decision is Rich Platt's -- I'll alert the list as soon as I know more. Again, there's work to do, rain or shine.

PREPARE
Show up with WARM clothes, and if they aren't waterproof, please plan ahead and bring rainwear. I'll have some plastic from which stylish ponchos can be fashioned with duct tape and a knife, but I will also have a camera for later blackmail use. :p Bring gloves, pitchforks, and rakes in preparation for distributing rice straw. A few hammers would be handy for hanging the trail markers. The sign crew might benefit from a handsaw -- I'll have more info on my final discussion with Rich.
* I'll be bringing 5 gallons of water for workers, but it will likely be cold water, so home-brewed coffee and a thermos might be the ticket.
* You may wish to pack a lunch -- I expect we'll be done by mid-afternoon, so snacks may be appropriate. Dark falls fast up there, so we're limited -- the more people we get up there working hard, the faster we can adjourn to somewhere toasty and dry.

REGISTRATION
The Pulskamps have agreed to provide a table and registration sign, and Deb is going to staff the table as folks arrive, and encourage them to fill out the volunteer forms (these substantiate the manhours we spend on the trail and can be matched in CASH with a county grant -- this is IMPORTANT!) We'll have a jar out for on-the-spot donations to FOTR and/or BRC. This table will be near the top of the dam (probably just below to stay out of the wind a bit) and Deb will have a handheld CB (Channel 4) so that she can broadcast across the bowl to communicate with the crew if necessary. If we get the forecast rain, we may even be able to have a fire around which folks can warm up -- but that is iffy and depends entirely on the Forest Service green-lighting fires for everyone -- we certainly won't break their rules.

9:00 MEETING PLACE
There's plenty of parking down at the bottom of the spillway, or if folks show up in lower-clearance vehicles and have more regard for their cars than I do for mine, they can park at either end of the dam and walk down to the spillway. After they check in with at the registration table, we'll mill around a bit, then leave at 9:15 for the top of the slabs. Joe Pasic is leading the trail-marking crew and I'll captain the straw crew with a few leaders to be determined on-site, based on the number of folks in attendance... unless press gets there in which case I'll abdicate leadership of the straw crew to Rusty and I'll spend the next few hours spinning how hard the wheeled community has worked and what a good result this is for the trail, the environment, and ALL of the user groups.

9:15 DEPARTURE
We'll divide up into teams right at the spillway, but any stragglers who drive in late can easily hike or drive along the access trail to the top of the slabs (our vehicles will be parked there), then give a holler. We'll be working close enough to hear you, so beep or holler and we'll get back to you (this will be a way we can channel passers-by to help if they'd like - we may even be able to give them a lift if they get there early enough). With Deb on the dam and vehicles at the top of the slab, we'll have good CB reception (Channel 4) if anyone encounters any mechanical difficulties along the way. The CB can also be used for status updates.

FINISH
When the work is done, we'll motor back to the dam and check out with Deb Pulskamp. I'm hoping that we can hang out and have a beverage at that time at that place, but if the weather is too cold or too wet, we'll drive to Robb's Resort (East of Icehouse Road, about 5 miles from the Loon Lake spillway)
Dark falls fast up there, so we need to work pretty hard and pretty fast -- the more people we get up there working hard, the quicker we can adjourn to Robb's. Their fireplace will help take the chill off -- if you're REALLY cold, their full bar may offer liquid anti-freeze.

MEDIA
Pictures and coverage will be by me at 4x4Wire and I believe Chris Collard will be able to make it -- I'll twist his arm to write an article for Cal4, but I just mailed off an intro article for the Cal4 In Gear magazine... if I need to, I'll write the follow-up for Cal4. It'll definitely wind up on 4x4Wire.com, either way. If anyone can publicize this through more traditional print media, please do.

OPEN ISSUES
* Hot Drinks -- this could be a lot more tolerable if we had a couple insulated water containers, and a volunteer to prepare some piping-hot water at home and bring it up in the insulated jugs... even if it is tepid by the time it gets up there, it will slide down easy as we're standing around on frosty ground!
* Medical Staff -- I'll have a solid first-aid kit in my pack -- it is well-stocked, and I have first-response training, but frankly, I'm out of certification. If there's anyone showing up with more recent medical skills, please check in with the registration desk and get in touch with me just so that we can keep an eye where you are in case something unfortunate does happen. Better safe than sorry....
* Final Dates -- this depends on what Rich Platte says, but there will be a work team up there regardless. If Rich waves off the straw crew, I will report back immediately here -- in the meantime, plan to be out working in the rain, just in case. :(

Remember -- rain or shine, Saturday at nine.

Randii
Randy Burleson
Managing Editor
www.4x4Wire.com

[randii]

One more thing -- pray for sunny weather!

[cruzila]

From the r5.fs.fed site:

ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST FIRE RESTRICTIONS

As of Monday October 28, the Forest is no longer in fire restrictions. However, we are still in fire season. Lack of precipitation causes continued dry conditions.

[rockwrangler]

I I'm going will be there on friday night Bringing hammer, and a rake or two.
Jerry

[Michael Lopas]

Severe Weather Alert from the National Weather Service

...GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALPINE MEADOWS...HEAVENLY VALLEY... INCLINE VILLAGE...KINGS BEACH...MARKLEEVILLE...MEYERS... SOUTH LAKE TAHOE AND TAHOE CITY 400 AM PST THU NOV 7 2002
...WINTER STORM WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY ABOVE 6500 FEET...

SNOW WILL BE STEADY IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS THROUGH FRIDAY. SNOW LEVELS WILL START AROUND 6500 FEET TODAY AND THEN RISE A BIT TONIGHT AND FRIDAY. SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF TWO TO FOUR FEET ARE EXPECTED ABOVE 6500 FEET BY LATE FRIDAY WITH PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WINDS IN THE LOWER TERRAIN. STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH HEAVY SNOW TO PRODUCE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW AS WELL AS VERY POOR VISIBILITY AT THE HIGHER PASSES INCLUDING DONNER SUMMIT AND MOUNTAIN PASSES LEADING INTO LAKE TAHOE.

[rockwrangler]

Is this still a GO!!!!
PLEASE REPLY!!!!!

[twn44s]

Originally posted by rockwrangler
Is this still a GO!!!!
PLEASE REPLY!!!!!


YES........word will go out if it does get cancelled.


Does anybody know iof Rob's will be open:blender:

[Rokmycj]

I just got off the phone with Rich Platt, and the word is GO. He is hoping that the weather clears up so we can get the straw out, but it isn't looking good. At the very least we need to get the marking done, which can be done in the rain.
The list of tool that we will need is:
pole saws ( to cut branches)
2 ladders (at least 10 feet long)
Hammers ( I can bring 3)


And of course warm clothes and gloves.
If you have any questions give me a call and I will see what I can do to answer them.
530-885-7906
Joe

[Dirty Harry]

Randii is down at SEMA and having connectivity problems, he asked that the following information be posted.

"I finally got through to Rich Platt, USFS, and we talked about the weather and what needs done. With plans set up this late in the game, I think we're locked for Saturday. Pray for good weather, but plan for rain and/or light snow. Waiting for spring virtually guarantees erosion damage -- going up there Saturday likely gets us all good and damp (cold, too!) but should minimize any damage.

See you at 9:00 on S aturday -- please be on time and dressed for drizzle!

Randii

stuff below the line is nitty-gritty details
--------------------------------------------------------

WEATHER
The forecast still looks crummy. :( ... but plan to show up Saturday at 9:00, ready to work. Even if there is a light dusting of snow, there is still work to be done. At minimum, we need to position trail markers. We fully expect to be distributing the rice straw, but there is still a faint chance that we'll be anchoring plastic sheeting over erosion-prone areas and tarping the bales for later distribution.

PREPARE
Show up with WARM clothes, and if they aren't waterproof, please plan ahead and bring rainwear. I'll have some plastic from which stylish ponchos can be fashioned with duct tape and a knife.
STRAW CREW - Bring gloves, pitchforks, and rakes in
preparation for distributing rice straw.
MARKER CREW - A few hammers would be handy for
hanging the trail markers. Rich additionally suggested
that we bring ladders and pole-saws (telescoping tree
trimmers). Do the best you can...
I suggest that both crews bring thermoses of home-brewed coffee, and pack a lunch -- I expect we'll be done by mid-afternoon, so snacks may be appropriate. Dark falls fast up there, so we're limited in the time we can work.

REGISTRATION
There will be a table for registration near the spillway (thanks, Deb!) Please fill out the volunteer forms (these substantiate the man-hours we spend on the trail and can be matched in CASH with a county grant -- this is IMPORTANT!) We'll have a jar out for on-the-spot donations to FOTR and/or BRC -- and a CB tuned to Channel 4 for communications. I'll get there early enough to light a fire for warming up (USFS lifted fire restrictions at the end of October)... and we hope to have a rain fly or EZ-up, as well as beverages. Best case, scenario, we may have an RV there with a kitchen-- cross your fingers!

9:00 MEETING
There's plenty of parking at the bottom of the spillway, or you can park at either end of the dam and walk downhill. Check in at the registration table -- we leave at 9:15 to get to work!

9:15 DEPARTURE
We'll divide up into teams right at the spillway, but any stragglers who drive in late can easily hike or drive along the access trail to the top of the slabs (our vehicles will be parked there), then give a holler. We'll be working close enough to hear you, so beep or holler and we'll get back to you. With Deb on the dam and vehicles at the top of the slab, we'll have good CB reception (Channel 4) if anyone encounters any mechanical difficulties along the way. The CB can also be used for status updates.

FINISH
When the work is done, we'll motor back to the dam and check out with where we checked in, at the registration desk. I'm hoping that we can hang out and have a beverage at that time at that place, but if the weather is too cold or too wet, we'll drive to Robb's Resort (East of Icehouse Road, about 5 miles from the Loon Lake spillway)
Dark falls fast up there, so we need to work pretty hard and pretty fast -- the more people we get up there working hard, the quicker we can adjourn to Robb's. Their fireplace will help take the chill off -- if you're REALLY cold, their full bar may offer liquid anti-freeze.

Remember -- rain or shine, Saturday at nine.

Randii"

[Mrs. Maniac]

Robb's usually closes after Halloween.

[Michael Lopas]

Stopped at Robb's after the Pirate cleanup - they said that they close at the end of deer season. Don't know when that is.

[Aggro]

Originally posted by dncswrk
Stopped at Robb's after the Pirate cleanup - they said that they close at the end of deer season. Don't know when that is.

ended about two days ago.

[Michael Lopas]

Besides warm clothes, I'm packing snow shoes!!!:D

[ROCK HUGGER]

How were the conditions up there?

[Michael Lopas]

Weather started out with no snow on the slabs and partly cloudy.

By 1pm the weather changed and the cold front arrived. Started to rain, then it quickly turned to snow. We did't realize how much it was snowing until we walked back over some of the area that we had 'strawed' earlier - it was covered.

About 15 of us. We drove oyt the bottom of the slabs because it was to slick to make the climb out of the bowl and up to the gatekeeper.

All of the straw has been spread and all of the new trail signs are high in the trees for a real snow run.

[twn44s]

dncswrk, how was the trip back over the Hill?
Had a great time up there even though the weather was not not great.

[rockwrangler]

I got some good pic's of the straw spreading and of the conditions of the drive out.
still have to down load the pic's to the computer but will put some of them out on the site over the next few days.

The drive out was quite fun:D :D

Rokmycj: Had a great time at dinner and on the trip! head was A spinning when I went to BED :flipoff2:
I got back home around 1Pm

[Michael Lopas]

Originally posted by twn44s
dncswrk, how was the trip back over the Hill?


Snowed like crazy over the pass.

[Rokmycj]

Originally posted by rockwrangler
I got some good pic's of the straw spreading and of the conditions of the drive out.
still have to down load the pic's to the computer but will put some of them out on the site over the next few days.

The drive out was quite fun:D :D

Rokmycj: Had a great time at dinner and on the trip! head was A spinning when I went to BED :flipoff2:
I got back home around 1Pm

Glad you made it up. It was fun. We will have to run Barrett Lake next year. Anytime you need a place to park the yacht just let me know.

Here are some pics of the way out.
http://www.softcom.net/users/joepasic/rubicon/TNmarkerteamleaving.jpg
http://www.softcom.net/users/joepasic/rubicon/TNsnowjeep.jpg

[Crowdog]

Can you say, "I Love Rice Straw"?

A bit too slippery for my liking on the way out, but we accomplished more that the Forest Service thought we could have. Great to put more faces to names.

Jon

[rockwrangler]

I think the Forest service people were very happy with the way things went all the hay was spread and the trail marker signs were hung . I was REAL impressed with the equiptment work that was done you couldn't even tell that there was even a trail there at one time.
I asked how did they get FUEL in for the tractor?
Did you guys Know Rich The forestry guy hand caried the FUEL for the tractor in 2- 5 gal cans at a time:eek:
My hat is off to THIS GUY WAY TO GO :beer: this ones for you Rich!!!

NOTE:I must have had half a flake of straw in my jacket pockets when I got back home the wife was :mad: because the washer was full of Hay:D

ROCMYCJ: Me and the wife will have to come up and we can do a snow run sometime soon:D

[rockwrangler]

pics

[randii]

Here are some pictures of the work, for those who don't want to flip through the whole gallery at: http://www.4x4wire.com/cgi-bin/gallery/imageFolio.cgi?direct=trailshots/4x4_Trailshots/Preserving_Our_Trails/Friends_of_the_Rubicon/November_2002

New Route Entrance BEFORE
http://www.4x4wire.com/gallery/trailshots/4x4_Trailshots/Preserving_Our_Trails/Friends_of_the_Rubicon/October_2002/IM000194.jpg
New Route Entrance AFTER
http://www.4x4wire.com/gallery/trailshots/4x4_Trailshots/Preserving_Our_Trails/Friends_of_the_Rubicon/October_2002/PA190108.jpg

Blockade BEFORE
http://www.4x4wire.com/gallery/trailshots/4x4_Trailshots/Preserving_Our_Trails/Friends_of_the_Rubicon/October_2002/PA190114.jpg
Blockade AFTER
http://www.4x4wire.com/gallery/trailshots/4x4_Trailshots/Preserving_Our_Trails/Friends_of_the_Rubicon/November_2002/PB090081.JPG

Blockade closeup:
http://www.4x4wire.com/gallery/trailshots/4x4_Trailshots/Preserving_Our_Trails/Friends_of_the_Rubicon/November_2002/PB090083.JPG
Blockade from farther back:
http://www.4x4wire.com/gallery/trailshots/4x4_Trailshots/Preserving_Our_Trails/Friends_of_the_Rubicon/November_2002/PB090081.JPG
Hay spread just behind ths blockade:
http://www.4x4wire.com/gallery/trailshots/4x4_Trailshots/Preserving_Our_Trails/Friends_of_the_Rubicon/November_2002/PB090087.JPG
...anyone who drives over the blockade in the spring cannot profess ignorance of it -- there are large rocks, multiple signs, and a field of very visible straw.

Randii

[randii]

The road down through Pleasant Meadow no longer exists:
http://www.4x4wire.com/gallery/trailshots/4x4_Trailshots/Preserving_Our_Trails/Friends_of_the_Rubicon/November_2002/PB090092.JPG

Before hay:
http://www.4x4wire.com/gallery/trailshots/4x4_Trailshots/Preserving_Our_Trails/Friends_of_the_Rubicon/November_2002/PB090097.JPG
After we spread out more than 50 bales of rice straw:
http://www.4x4wire.com/gallery/trailshots/4x4_Trailshots/Preserving_Our_Trails/Friends_of_the_Rubicon/November_2002/PB090112.JPG
...an average of three bales per person... about 250 pounds each!

A shot along where the trail used to thread between the trees.
http://www.4x4wire.com/gallery/trailshots/4x4_Trailshots/Preserving_Our_Trails/Friends_of_the_Rubicon/November_2002/PB090115.JPG

Randii

[twn44s]

Geez Randy you thought I got up earley , or you you have not gone to bed yet.

[Rubicrawler]

Damn, you guy's did one hell of a job! Great work under adverse conditions. Thanks to each and every one that participated in this project!

[randii]

Geez Randy you thought I got up early , or you have not gone to bed yet.
Sleep is for the weak. :p