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Lower Seymour Grind
We were so lucky today because it didn’t rain on us! And because we had lots of strong people to help out with our trail project on the lower Seymour Grind. And thankfully people weren’t afraid to get dirty either because the mud was knee deep and flowing freely. And it was all made better because we had coffee and muffins donated by Delany’s, mmmmmm. After meeting Graham Knell from North Van District just before 9:00 am on Saturday near the top of Hyannis and sending at least 32 happy volunteers up the trail, we began our party on three sections of the BP. We were working just past last year’s spot where we put in two bridges and did a bunch of trenching. And Graham asked several people to also go up the trail again to where the real climb begins on the gravelly portion. He wanted to have them put in steps and make other improvements as they saw fit. Back in the mud, our first job was to clear out some large hemlock logs that had recently been cut and placed from a recent fall. They were put straight on the trail by a well-intended person but in this huge pit of sloppy black dirt. We rolled and flipped them off to the side and jumped in to begin the dig. We needed to get the water flowing and lower the level of the ground so our first new bridge would be well above danger. This was arm and back-wrenching work and seemed to take forever even with about 10 of us shovelling and scooping. But after a couple of hours the mud and water were flowing off and around an immense old hemlock: success! By the way, Graham figured that tree to be well past the normal end of its life of 200 – 300 years but it is looking very healthy still. Fortunately a couple of high spots appeared for anchoring the bridge and the chainsaw gang began their chops. In short order the supports were in place and the walkway was sized up. Spikes were struck in the wood and rocks were placed for footings at either end. By the way, the wood comes from old telephone poles. It’s old cedar that still has tons of life and they will do well for many Knee Knackers to come. The second bridge was placed about 20 feet away at the other end of an old cedar walkway. The old portion was probably well above water and mud when it was built but that whole area has been filled up to the cedar planks. We did our best to trench around it but in time the old portion in between will be replaced as well according to Graham. It’s steady enough but still the boards are on angles to keep it exciting. And just past this area some more trenching was done and even a bit of chain sawing to an old slippery log – you’ll know it to see it. Thanks very much to all the people that brought their chainsaws as we couldn’t have done so much without your help. The scaling work farther down the trail on the steep portion went very well too. You’ll see several new steps and quite a change to the rugged and unstable slope. We did some work to divert water and to generally make the trip up and down much simpler if not considerably safer. We got very dirty, had lots of fun and also had a few visitors pass throughout our 5 hour trail party. I know there were lots of first-timers out but also several people that have done much hard work in the past on our trail maintenance day. Thank you very much to everyone and we hope you all enjoy the improvements.
Craig Moore |
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