Mud Hole Re-route is a GO!!

[Tinman]

Re-route is approved!

Trail re-route around mud hole at mile 6.2

Workday dates:

September 19, 2009
October 24, 2009

Note: Scheduled workdays will be completed based on access due to water release volume and weather conditions.

We expect this project to take at least 3 or 4 workdays to complete. We will get a start this year and finish up next spring. The good news is that with our grant from BFG we will be able to start some of the perks we know everyone will enjoy including some food after the work is done for the day. One of the unique aspects of working on Fordyce is the difficulty in sometimes just getting to the work area. Mile 6.2 is about as far in from any access point as any place on the trail so we will meet at the work location instead of meeting at the trailhead and driving in together. This way we will have a definite start time on site. Camping there the night before is suggested. Camping after the day's work is recommended so we can all celebrate the hard day's work with a complimentary BBQ.

Please keep in mind to travel with others and plan for an expected water release of 285CFS for the September workday. Water release will be down to minimal for the October 24th workday. We suggest approaching the work area from the Indian Springs trailhead. This way only water crossing #1 will need to be traversed. It is very important that volunteers be sure of the capabilities of their rig and are aware of the proper lines to take while crossing the river so as to avoid the deeper holes that exist. When traveling up trail from Indian Springs enter water crossing #1 and veer left along the line of rocks forming a small step. As you approach the opposite shore you will need to turn to the right around the bushes to the wide area of shoreline and then back left as you exit the water. At this point the right front of most all rigs will dip into the water at the expected water release of 285CFS. On the way out the left front will dip in. If your rig has a low mounted air intake on either side as opposed to the middle there is a possibility of water entering the motor and causing it to hydro-lock. This is why we strongly recommend anyone considering this workday to have previous experience at crossing the river at the expected flow.

As always, be prepared for the worst while traversing the Fordyce trail. Weather can change rapidly and breakdowns are always a possibility. Never plan on just a day trip. Always carry ample food, water, clothing and camping gear in case the unexpected occurs. Your rig should be equipped with a CB tuned to channel 40 for FOF communications. Cell service is available on the Fordyce trail in most locations so a charged up cell phone is a great emergency link.

If you are planning on attending the workday please e-mail me at bret@fordycetrail.org. We need to get a count for food. Remember, there will be a BBQ dinner courtesy of the FOF and BFG as well as numerous other indivdual contributers and of course NAXJA. Because of all the support we have recently received, food will be prepared on the new trail BBQ we were able to purchase. We'll also provide gloves, safety glasses and loppers for the volunteers use. It will be nice not to have to ask our helpers to provide their labor AND use their own tools.

We want to thank everyone in advance for considering this workday. We know it's late in the year, not a lot of notice, and time is at a premium these days.

Thank you,

Bret Preble
President-Friends of Fordyce

[scottz]

Look forward to it, hopefully the river isn't as bad as it sounds.

[tunaman]

^you'll be fine, just make sure to pack your scuba gear mr. lowrider

[jethrodeg]

Looking forward to this trip. It's going to be great creating a new and improved route around the soggy stuff. Cutting some bush, moving a few rocks and free meat.....it's does not get better than this.

[MochaMike]

I'm in for the October 24, 2009 work.

[wallbanger]

im going to try and make it.

[Blue Devil Toyota]

I'll know for sure if I can make this comming weekend by Tuesday and will let you know. So are you planning on BBQ'ing at the work site, or back at Cisco? What other tools are required?

[jethrodeg]

We will be camping and BBQing at the reroute site. A large pry bar could be useful.

[Blue Devil Toyota]

Originally Posted by jethrodeg

We will be camping and BBQing at the reroute site. A large pry bar could be useful.

A large pry bar would double the weight of the Sami. The 285 flow has me a little concerned due to the rig weight though.

[jethrodeg]

Originally Posted by Blue Devil Toyota

A large pry bar would double the weight of the Sami. The 285 flow has me a little concerned due to the rig weight though.

That's understandable.

[J.barrett]

Originally Posted by scottz

Look forward to it, hopefully the river isn't as bad as it sounds.

i havent been thru at that flow rate but, im in ! rollin with scottz and his lowrider, bringing the runner.

[Tinman]

I have a call in to PG&E to see if I can get acurate info for the flow this coming weekend. The graph shows it starting to come down a bit. Hopefully this is a trend and it will be a bit lower for the workday. I at least want to verify it will not go up. I'll post as soon as I get a call back.

[mtnmandan]

Per PG&E Fordyce dam repair supervisor last weekend

Flow rate of 290 cfs until Oct 2nd - then reduced to puddle.

Crossed all rivers with 36's last weekend - highly suggest Eagle lake side to mud hole - committee bypass was DEEP .

[JDunn]

Hey Bret,

WeBilt will have 4 rigs maybe 5 coming to work on the project. We are not sure if we're staying Saturday night but if we do it will be up the trail so don't count us for dinner.

What time are we meeting to start? We are going to camp somewhere on the other side of the first crossing Friday night. Hopefully the nice swimming hole just before you leave the creek if it's open.

JDunn

[jethrodeg]

That is great Jason. Looks like we will have a good sized crew for the 19th.

[JDunn]

Originally Posted by jethrodeg

That is great Jason. Looks like we will have a good sized crew for the 19th.

Sweet! Do you know what time we are going to start Sat morning? When are you guys heading up?

[jethrodeg]

Originally Posted by JDunn

Sweet! Do you know what time we are going to start Sat morning? When are you guys heading up?

9am is the start time for Saturday.

Bret and I are heading in Friday morning and are going to camp at the reroute.

[ddestruel]

Originally Posted by jethrodeg

9am is the start time for Saturday.

Bret and I are heading in Friday morning and are going to camp at the reroute.

nothing like waiting till the heat of the day to sweat it out.



See you guys on the weekend of the 24th of october.

[jethrodeg]

Originally Posted by ddestruel

See you guys on the weekend of the 24th of october.

Cool

[Tinman]

Originally Posted by Tinman

I have a call in to PG&E to see if I can get acurate info for the flow this coming weekend. The graph shows it starting to come down a bit. Hopefully this is a trend and it will be a bit lower for the workday. I at least want to verify it will not go up. I'll post as soon as I get a call back.

So the reason the flow was going down is that as the head of the lake decreases (which amounts to feet of water above the valve) the pressure decreases and the amount of water coming out goes down. Either tomorrow or the next day PG&E will open the valve up a little to get the flow back up to the design release. I asked if they could delay this action until Monday but was told they have a construction schedule to stick to and have to adjust the flow now. I told them we would be on the trail doing a forest service directed work project but fixing the dam takes precedence. PG&E asked everyone to please be careful. They recommended against crossing the river actually.

The schedule I posted earlier is still pretty acurate as of now. Flow will remain about what it is now until sometime in the beginning of October. We should be good for the October work day.

[Tinman]

Just to be clear, the Re-route work is still on.

We just ask everyone to be careful if you plan to meet us at the work site Saturday morning. There is plenty of info here about how and when to cross the river so I'm not going to repeat it again.

It is up to each and everyone of you to personally make the right decision for YOU when it comes to crossing the river.

As of right now the projected flow is 285CFS. It is up to you to check before you go and verify the flow before you cross.

Work starts at 9am Saturday morning the 19th at the work site which is approximately 6 miles in from Indian Springs. This is uptrail from the first water crossing.

We will be on CB channel 40.

Jeff and I will be camping right around the work area Friday night if anyone wants to join us. Just give us a call on the CB when you get close.

[Tinman]

FOF sweatshirts will be available at the re-route workday. They are heavyweight pullover hoodies with a front pocket. Small logo on breast and large logo on back. $35.

We'll also have t-shirts and stickers with us.

[JDunn]

Bret do you need anymore tools?

[Blue Devil Toyota]

I don't want to sound like a puss. I have been thinking about this hard, and I'm going to trust my gut. With that kind of flow and how the rig is set up I'm going to have to pass on this one. I'll be there in October though.

[Tinman]

Originally Posted by JDunn

Bret do you need anymore tools?

Tools are handled. Thanks!