Siskiyou Mountain Club

WEBSITE

2011-04-01T05:35:00.000-07:00

The Siskiyou Mountain Club website has been renovated and moved to http://www.siskiyoumountainclub.org

2011 TKRP Signups

2011-02-16T11:53:00.000-08:00

We've developed a sign up form for volunteers eager to participate in the Trans-Kalmiopsis-Route Project this June. We have two trail crews and two support crews that need rosters! Volunteers should be enthusiastic and driven by adventure. Work descriptions and gear lists will be posted promptly! Click here to fill out and submit the Volunteer Application.

Anonymous Trail Stewardship Program

2011-02-10T18:06:00.000-08:00

We are truly dedicated to maintaining foot trails in the Siskiyou region, but we can't do it all on our own. We're developing a list of trails with interactive maps for folks who want to help. Remember, all forest users have the right to clear a right of way on recognized trails. This is a pilot, so tell us what you think.

Click here to learn more about how you can contribute any day, anytime, and trail.

View Mudsprings Trail - Rough & Ready Creek in a larger map

2011 Trans-Kalmiopsis Dates

2011-01-11T12:25:00.000-08:00

The dates for the first Trans-Kalmiopsis-Route (TKR) Work Party have been unveiled. We will be leaving June 13th, 2011 for the Vulcan Lake Trailhead from Ashland, OR. We'll return to the Rogue Valley June 20th, 2011. Our objective is to clear about five miles of devastated trail between Johnson Butte and Box Canyon Camp.

This is among the most challenging of sections to be cleared on the TKR, with lots of medium diameter dead-fall, impeding brush, and some tread work. It begins from the Vulcan Lake Trailhead, heads North to Dry and Johnson Buttes, where we will be setting up camp, then North and East to Box Canyon Camp. While very challenging, this section is also, perhaps, the most scenic along the 32 mile route. To get a better feel for this section of the route, download the Tincup Peak and Chetco Peak USGS Quadrangles from our map archive.

We will soon have a sign-up sheet available. It is not yet clear what kind of reimbursement will be available for volunteers. For now, all inquiries should be sent to howegabe-at-gmail. We need a large, ambitious crew to accomplish our ambitious goal!

Winter Work Party

2010-12-18T11:12:00.000-08:00

Join the SMC and SOU Hiking-Backpacking Club for a winter work party at Rough & Ready Creek January 7 -9, 2011. Click here for details and signup information. Also, read the new GUIDE TO HIKING UPPER ROUGH & READY CREEK. We're working on completing our year end report. We will have 2011 dates soon!

Updates

2010-10-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

The October work party is filling up fast but we still have a couple spots available. Thanks to those volunteers committing their time! Through a work-exchange we'll be staying at the Siskiyou Field Institute, in the luxury of a yurt. Hot showers, full kitchen, bunk beds, the SFI is the Marriott of the siskiyou backcountry. If we can punch out this 3.5 mile section, the trans-Kalmiopsis route will be clear all the way from Babyfoot Lake trailhead to Slide Creek, about 13.5 miles! Not bad for our first year at this!

Greetings Trail Busters!

You're receiving this email because you either signed up for this work party, or expressed desired interest in it. I'm hoping everyone on this list can make it! First and foremost, please RSVP so we know how many to expect when coordinating things like food.

We'll be meeting Friday, the 22nd, at the Siskiyou Field Institute in Selma, OR. We'll be staying in one of their Yurtz and will have access to hot showers, a full kitchen, fresh water, etc. For those of you that have joined us on previous trips this is going to be luxurious. Try to be there by 8 PM Friday, much later and you'll be tired the next day and we'd like to get a safety/methods/tools orientation out of the way that night. Here is the link for directions from Grants Pass, milepost 56ish off of I-5, to the SFI.

On the 23rd we'll get up early, like 7:00 and carpool up to the Babyfoot Lake trailhead, about 45 minutes from the SFI. From there we'll hike about three miles in to begin work and get as far as we can. When it starts to get dark or we've met our goals we'll head back to the SFI and have a BBQ. WooHoo!

The 24th we'll prepare an early breakfast, head to the trailhead, and start from where we left off. We'll be back at the SFI on Sunday, the 24th, by 6:00 PM.

Our work is cut out for us but we have a good crew. We want to cut out about 108 trees and brush back a couple miles of trail so be prepared to work hard!

You need to bring the following:
Sleeping bag/pillow - there are bunk beds but its not like this is the Hilton.
Day pack
One gallon of water storage. I don't care what you put your water into but you need a gallon!
Sturdy hiking boots with thick soles.
Long sleeved shirt for working in.
Long pants.
Waterproof shell. - this can be garbage bags, I don't care, but you need to be ready for rain.
Some layers - it might be cold so bring some long underwear and a warm shirt.
Toiletries - there are going to be showers so use them!

We will be providing all meals from Friday's dinner to Sunday's lunch. For trail lunches we'll have things like corn-flax chips, bagels, hard cheese, lunch meat, Clif-Bars, etc. There will be plenty of food, but by all means if theres something you're just dying to have, do bring it. Saturday morning we'll probably do something easy like bagels and cream cheese, that night we'll have a BBQ, and Sunday morning we'll eat sausage/eggs/toast/etc. for breakfast. If there are any requests or diet restrictions please let me know soon.

As USFS volunteers we'll all be reading, understanding, signing, and working by a Job Hazard Analysis.

Thank you all so much for being a part of this work party and if you have absolutely any questions, concerns, or smart remarks, please contact me. I hope everyone is as excited as I am to get out there and bust up some trail!

Safety, Fun, Production.

-Gabe Howe
503-545-4911

October 22nd - 24th Work Party

2010-09-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

We need volunteers to help out with the October work weekend. We're looking for hard workers on the trail and someone to help coordinate a Saturday BBQ for when the volunteers return from a long days work. The worksite starts a few miles in from the Babyfoot Lake trailhead and we'll be camping nearby at the Little Falls trailhead. Click here for the flyer or email siskiyoumountainclub@gmail.com for more details and signup.

Updates

2010-09-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

We have pictures from the ten day August work party available at http://picasaweb.google.com/siskiyoumountainclub/Nicole#. Checkout those stacks of hardwoods we logged out.

Hikers are now able to pass from Babyfoot Lake trailhead, to Slide Creek via the Bailey Cabin and Bailey Mountain trail with relative ease. Again, all wilderness users should be proficient in navigation with a map and compass. Don't get lost out there cause you might be toast.

The Siskiyou Mountain Club put in over 425 hours of work which at $12 an hour, a shoddy wage for laborers of this quality, amounts to $5100. That is a lot of blood, sweat, black toenails, and blisters!

On October 22nd, 23rd, and 24th we will be attacking a section near the Babyfoot Lake trailhead that we intentionally skipped because it is easy to reach. We'll be camping at Little Falls trailhead and will have a BBQ on Saturday the 23rd. Food and tools will be provided. We need people to help buck trees with handsaws, remove deadfall, and brush back new growth with long armed loppers. We'd also like to find someone to run the Saturday BBQ for us so food is ready when volunteers return to camp. Please contact the Siskiyou Mountain Club by emailing siskiyoumountainclub@gmail if or call 503-545-4911 if you're interested in helping out.

We are working on putting together a board of directors and bi-laws. If you are familiar with this process (because we are not) and want to help out please contact the SMC by emailing siskiyoumountainclub@gmail or calling 503-545-4911.

More success!

2010-09-09T10:39:00.000-07:00

Over ten days the Siskiyou Mountain Club opened up another 3.5 miles of the trans-Kalmiopsis route. The section we cleared was from Carter Creek to Slide Creek along the Chetco River on trail #1109. We logged out over 250 hardwood trees from the trail which had accumulated into the form of giant pickup sticks. We widened a lot of tread, installed some water bars, and of course did massive brushing throughout. Pics and journal to come very soon!

Thanks to Jillian Stokes, Nicole McGrath, Allison Gilroy, Sarah Goodchild (aka Amanda Brightwell), Laura Feffercorn, Josh Feffercorn, Nik Muir, and Lee Howe for putting their backs into this. Also thanks to the Kalmiopsis Audubon Society, Rogue Group Sierra Club, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon Freeze Dry, Medford Mail Tribune, and all others who have contributed and coordinated.

Love The Siskiyous

2010-08-17T11:16:00.001-07:00

Do you have a few days of free time between August 26th and September 1st? Do you love the Siskiyou wild region? Are you in shape? How about spending some time in the cool, clear waters of the Chetco River? We need trail runners, these are human mules that hike in food and supplies for volunteer trail workers. We're hoping to find folks that can schlep up to 50lbs. in. The hike is 9 miles and starts from the Babyfoot Lake trailhead, about 17 miles west of Kerby, Oregon. The hike out is 9 miles but feels like 14. If you're interested read the "Babyfoot Lake to Carter Creek Trail Guide" found under the Maps/Literature section. If you're still interested contact Gabe Howe at 503-545-4911 or email him. howegabe@gmail

FIRE

2010-08-16T09:08:00.000-07:00

There is a fire near the Illinois River in the Oak Flat area, just a few miles from the Kalmiopsis wilderness area. It's 2% contained and almost a square mile, 600 acres. The coordinates are 42°23'57" N 123°44'17" W for your Google earth program. Use caution when traveling Illinois River Road. Keep updated at the the Northwest Coordination Center

Updates

2010-08-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

Check out our maps/literature section. We just posted "What is Kalmiopsis?"

Based on the information we gathered on our western trans-Kalmiopsis survey the August plan has changed somewhat. Instead of starting on the western end of the trans-Kalmiopsis route (Vulcan L.) we'll begin from where we left off, where Carter Creek runs into the Chetco. This means our point of access will be Cave Junction and Babyfoot Lake trailhead, as it was in June. We'll be meeting on the 25th and hiking directly to the work site on Thursday the 26th. We have about 6.5 miles to Taggart's bar, of which about 3.2 look pretty nasty.

We still need volunteers. If you are interested in working please bare in mind that it is a one day hike into the work site and a possible two day journey out. Because of the logistics we do need people who would be willing to pack us in food and supplies anytime between the 26th of August and the 3rd of September. The route is described under our literature/maps section of this website. If you are interested please email siskiyoumountainclub@gmail.com or call 503-545-4911 to coordinate.

Western Trans-Kalmiopsis Survey

2010-07-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

We're surveying the trail from Vulcan Lake trailhead to Taggart's bar (Chetco River) by way of Johnson Butte from August 2nd - 5th. If anyone wants to join us it should be a wild ride. We might get a night on the beach if we make good time!

Moving Forward

2010-07-23T09:26:00.001-07:00

The Siskiyou Mountain Club is now registered as a non-profit corporation with the state of Oregon. We have a tax ID number, two officers, and are working on opening a bank account. Next step is writing by-laws and building a board of directors. If anyone is interested in consulting or acting as a board member please contact siskiyoumountainclub at gmail dot com.

August Work Party

2010-07-13T15:24:00.000-07:00

Sign up for August's trans-Kalmiopsis work party. Click Here for the information, and if interested fill out the last two pages and return them to siskiyoumountainclub@gmail.com or

Siskiyou Mountain Club

280 Hargadine St. #2

Ashland, 97520

Feel free to contact the Siskiyou Mountain Club with any questions, wise cracks, or smart remarks.

June's Work Party Journal.

2010-07-06T10:41:00.000-07:00

Click here to read the revised journal of the Siskiyou Mountain Club's June work party in the Kalmiopsis wilderness. Hope to get some more sign ups for August, just click on "Kalmiopsis Trail Project Info" under "Important Links" to read more about the project and volunteer application. The Siskiyou Mountain Club is also now on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Siskiyou-Mountain-Club/132991360057033?ref=ts

Siskiyou Mountain Club Logo

2010-07-01T10:15:00.001-07:00

The Siskiyou Mountain Club needs someone to create a quality logo to use for letterheads, t-shirts, websites, etc. We're hoping to have the design donated, but would pay a little out for the perfect product. Put on your creative thinking caps, email your unemployed graphic designer friends, or tell your little brother or sister who consider your graphic designer friends' techniques antiquated. Here are the specifics:

The logo needs to be round.

It needs to say "SISKIYOU MOUNTAIN CLUB" visibly.

There needs to be mountains that look like the Siskiyous, not the typical volcanic peak.

There needs to be a person recreating or working.

There needs to be a tool, like a pulaski or crosscut saw, the person could be holding this.

There needs to be a body of water. This could be river, lake, waterfall, etc.

There needs to be at least one tree, and at least one tree needs to be a dead snag.

It would be preferable if the logo had a darlingtonia or blooming Kalmiopsis leachiana flower.

The logo needs to be in a versatile format I can apply for the uses mentioned above.

Please look through the photo albums on the right, they have pictures of all the above criteria to give folks a better idea of what they need. Any questions? Email siskiyoumountainclub@gmail.com

Siskiyou Mountain Club Numbers

2010-06-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

Over ten days the Siskiyou Mountain Club donated 496 hours of labor to a trail project in federally designated wilderness. At twelve dollars an hour, which is a conservative estimate for laborers of this caliber, that is $5952 dollars donated. The cost of the trip was about $2800, most of which was used for supplies and food that would need to be bought for employees in addition to wages in a contract setting, and $750 was used to compensate volunteers for their costs associated with the project. It’s needless to say, given the amount of money used and progress made by Siskiyou Mountain Club volunteers, this form of trail stewardship will prove to be extremely cost effective and efficient. More importantly though, it is fun, rewarding, and actively engages more of the public in what is Oregon’s last frontier.

The Siskiyou Mountain Club encourages any individual or organization to match the $5952 in sweat to re establishing a healthy Kalmiopsis trail system.

Siskiyou Mountain Club Success!!!

2010-06-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

Between June 18th and June 27th the Siskiyou Mountain Club reworked the section of trail from Babyfoot Lake trailhead to Carter Creek on the Chetco River via the Babyfoot rim and Bailey cabin. There is still about a mile trail just after entering the wilderness boundary that needs to be hit, but the entire route is now well defined and passable. Volunteers labored tirelessly behind long armed loppers, pulaskis, and hand saws to insure the sections along this route where the trail was not visible or defined now are. There is still some missing signage and hikers should be proficient in backcountry navigation before any wilderness travel. It will always be tough getting into the Chetco, but it’s now much easier.

The route winds its way 9 miles through pristine headwaters, tertiary and Jurassic geology, extravagant botanical areas, expansive views, and down to the prize of this hike, the Chetco River and Carter Creek. After the August 2010 work party that starts from the western side of the Kalmiopsis we anticipate there will still be a few miles of trail that will need to be worked to complete a trans-Kalmiposis route, which will likely happen in the 2011 season.

Dan Heimbigner, Seth Swan, Jill Stokes, Lee Howe, Gabe Howe, Allison Gilroy, Kris Freitag, Lowell Nelson, and Bill Lane need to be recognized for the sweat they gave this project, the quality and quantity of their labor exceeded all expectations. Again thanks to the Rogue Group Sierra Club, George Brierty of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Ashland Shop N Kart, Mountain House Meals, and all generous donors. Keep posted for updates on the August work party and keep sending in those Volunteer Applications.

Click Here For Pictures

Big Adventure

2010-06-16T21:51:00.000-07:00

The Siskiyou Mountain Club,comprised of eight volunteers, will be embarking on its biggest adventure yet, the launch to the trans-Kalmiosis Trail project. We'll be working around the rim of Babyfoot Lake, to Bailey Mountain, down to the Chetco River. Most of the work is going to be brushing, debris removal, light tread work, and some small tree removal. There are several sections we've identified for intense work where hikers currently struggle to acquire the trail due to overgrowth and obstructions. It wont be easy getting down to the Chetco, but hikers will have the luxury of at least knowing where the trail is, a step in the right direction.

Jillian Stokes, Dan Heimbigner, Allison Gilroy, Lee Howe, Bill Lane, Kris Freitag, Seth Swan, and Lowell Nelson are the volunteers taking time from their lives to sweat for this project, many of them for ten days. It shows a great deal of generosity, commitment, and courage to perform this public service.

Thanks to the Sierra Club Rogue Group, Ashland Shop N Kart, Mountain House Meals, all generous donors, and George Brierty of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

If you don't see a blog by July the Siskiyou Mountain Club has retired to the depths of the Kalmiopsis wilderness area.

One week away from trans Kalmiopsis trail effort launch

2010-06-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Siskiyou Mountain Club Volunteers,
We are a week away from starting work at the Babyfoot Lake trailhead on the 18th of June. A carpool is leaving from Portland to the worksite the afternoon of Friday the 17th, so please contact me to coordinate meeting places. That carpool will be returning to Portland the afternoon of the 28th.
There are some very important things I want to go over. I am negotiating through a job hazard analysis with the USFS, doing my best to make things as comfortable and safe as possible for us. All volunteers will sign the JHA, but more importantely it is absolutely imperative we follow it at all times. This includes use of safety hats whenever working, wearing sturdy hard soled boots, and eye protection (bring some sunglasses or something) when using an ax or pulaski. It's all part of keeping our bodies in tact and being covered as a USFS volunteer.
It is also very imortant you have read the list of required gear at http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0sIZw2jFWNuOGFhN2ZiMTItZDM2YS00MTJjLWE3NzktODZmYjZlYTUxMDNj&hl=en and have everything on it, including work gloves. If you do not have everything on it let me know and we'll figure something out. You do not need to bring any food, but if you are just dying to bring your favorite trail snack or whatever, by all means please do so.

Jill and I just got back from surveying most of the section we are working on. We identified four main sections of trail that need brushing and light tree removal that we'll focus on. We'll be using a few different camps and sometimes hiking a couple miles to the work site. All work will be with long armed loppers, pulaskis (fireman's ax), and large foldable pruning saws. On the old road we'll be cutting our way around lots of blowdowns instead of cutting them out.

The Kalmiopsis leachiana will be blooming and hopefully the river isn't too high to ford. Here is a link to pictures that were all taken on the route we are working in a week. http://picasaweb.google.com/106889352618986621551/BFCarter#

I am buying the grub on Tuesday the 15th so if there are any last minute food requests please send them to me.

Please RSVP.

Please contact me with absolutely any questions, concerns, smart remarks, wise cracks, or comments you have. We are the Siskiyou Mountain Club and have taken on what is quite a challenge, but I'm confident in our ability to tackle it. We are about to embark on a landscape that "god surely smiles on but is yet discovered by man" as John Leach, husband of pioneering botanist Lilla Leach, put it about 80 years ago. There is really nothing quite like the Kalmiopsis and I feel priveleged for this fantastic opportunity, an opportunity that wouldn't be happening without what is a notable commitment from rock star volunteers. Thanks so much for your participation.

-Gabe Howe
503-545-4911
P.S. Seriously, any questions or if you just want to chat, call me.

Sierra Club Newsletter

2010-06-04T06:18:00.000-07:00

The trans-Kalmiopsis trail effort has support!
Click here to read the Sierra Club Rogue Group's newsletter

The Chetco gets some well deserved recognition!

2010-06-03T19:53:00.001-07:00

The Chetco River, the destination of the trans-Kalmiopsis trail project, has been getting some press. The Chetco River, despite its threats, exists as a tremendous resource to many stakeholders, especially curious hikers looking for adventure.
Read "Out of a clear blue River" by the Oregonian editorial board.

We are two weeks out from the kickoff of the trans-Kalmiopsis volunteer trail effort at Babyfoot Lake. Five volunteers, many of them traveling, have committed to the ten day trail crew, with weekend help from a few more. We are working out the logistics and surveying the trail next week as we solidify things with the Forest Service. If volunteers, or anyone, has any questions please contact siskiyoumountainclub@gmail.com or 503-545-4911.

Warning to volunteers: When approaching the cool clear waters of the Chetco you may never want to come back.

Donations

2010-05-19T09:32:00.001-07:00

If you want to make donations to the Siskiyou Mountain Club's trail project you now can! We need money to help pay for food, travel expenses, gear, tools, etc. All money will be used on the 2010 Trans-Kalmiopsis trail project, outlined on the left side under "Important Links," click on "Kalmiopsis Trail Project Info." Here's some examples of how your money helps.
$100 - Ten days of quality, nutritious food for one hungry, hard working volunteer.
$200 - Ten days of food for one volunteer, two high quality pruning saws, Greyhound bus ticket from Seattle for volunteer.
$500 - Ten days of food for three volunteers, professional cross cut saw sharpening, 3 hard-hats, and one pair of long armed loppers.

To make donations make checks out to: "Sierra Club Rogue Group" with "SMC" in the memo. Leave a note in the envelope simply stating you'd like for your donation to be used for the Siskiyou Mountain Club trail project.

Send checks to:
Sierra Club c/o Kristin Biechler, Tres
1100 Sterling Cr. Rd
Jacksonville, OR 97530

Important Note: DONATIONS ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE. The Sierra Club is a non profit, 501(c)4, which means it employs lobbyists, which means your donations aren't tax deductible. That means any donation is truly coming straight from your heart; thank you! You can email howegabe@gmail.com with any questions.

May 22 work party from Vulcan Lake.

2010-05-16T07:01:00.001-07:00

Join us this Saturday, May 22nd, to help us get a head start on the west side of the trans-Kalmiopsis trail we are opening up this summer. With the Rogue Group Sierra Club and Kalmiopsis Audubon society, we'll work all day Saturday on the trail (#1110) towards Johnson and Dry Buttes, where we may run into blooming Kalmiopsis leachiana. That Saturday night a few of us will be staying at the amazing Vulcan Lake. Visit http://www.kalmiopsisaudubon.org/events for the details. Bring your hand tools, water/food, and prepared for an awesome time! A carpool will be leaving from Ashland on Friday, the 21st at 10:00AM from the Shop N Kart parking lot. Please email siskiyoumountainclub@gmail.com if interested in getting a ride. Come be a part of this awesome project!

midnight hikes

2010-05-11T09:22:00.001-07:00

We're getting ready to unleash a series of night hikes for this summer.

Crosscut Saw

2010-05-05T13:49:00.001-07:00

A generous donor sent us a 56" stainless steel crosscut saw. Can't way to use it on May 22nd for our first work party out of Brookings, OR. http://www.kalmiopsisaudubon.org/events to learn more about how you can participate in that session. We'll need some serious muscle on either end of the new saw!

Reeder Reservoir Hike

2010-04-19T09:07:00.000-07:00

Join us this Friday, the 23rd of April for a hike to Reeder Reservoir. We'll meet at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival downtown and walk our way out of city limits into some of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest's best offerings. The loop will bring us back no later than 6PM, and there are rumors of a BBQ to follow.

When: April 23rd, 10:00A-6:00P

Where to meet: 15 S. Pioneer St. Ashland, OR (green stage)

Elevation gain: less than 2,000 ft.

Miles: around eight.

Bring:

water
snacks
shoes/sandals you don't mind getting wet
binoculars (optional)
adventurous attitude (required)

Be prepared for:

moderate elevation gain, it can be colder at 3200 feet.
wet crossings
some off trail travel
A wild fun time!

To signup please email: siskiyoumountainclub@gmail.com

P.S. Swimming is absolutely prohibited in the reservoir.

April Work Party Success!

2010-04-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

The April work party was a success, and the R&R Creek trail is looking great. We cleared all the fallen trees with our trusty saw. On the last tree we had to clear the blade broke in half! Here's a picture of some of the Iris' in bloom.

April Work Party

2010-04-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

Meet us on April 16th at Rough & Ready Creek for a spring work party. We'll be meeting at the Safeway at 8 AM in Ashland and 9:15 at Ray's in Selma for carpooling. Bring your long armed loppers and handsaws. Come with a hearty snack, water, and be ready for some fun! Please email siskiyoumountainclub@gmail.com to signup and for directions directly to the trailhead. Hope to see you out there!

Click here for the 2010 Informational Kalmiopsis Volunteer Trail Packet and application.

Updates

2010-03-08T10:24:00.000-08:00

Sierra Club Rogue Chapter made a resolution to match up to $1500 donated towards our effort. We are waiting for the USFS to move forward with our Sponsored Volunteer Agreement. A crew is building and I have got a lot of interest. Signup sheets and all necessary literature about the project will be out soon!

Sierra Club Meeting

2010-01-26T09:46:00.001-08:00

Our proposal to the Sierra Club, Rogue Chapter, Executive Committee went well overall. They have a very clear idea about our mission, goals, and exactly what we want from them as an organization. Logistically the goal may be challenging for them, but all of the members responded very favorably. I think everyone knows the idea has merit, and the project has caliber.

As potential volunteers respond to our inquiries, we're starting to realize we may need to create more, 3-5 day work projects on the designated route. If four people seeking this type of unique, remote, wilderness experience have common calendar dates when they want to participate, we are here to accomodate that.

Need Volunteers

2010-01-24T16:28:00.000-08:00

This far we have two ten day work sessions planned for volunteers to participate in. Volunteers that commit three days (weekend) will have their food paid for. Those that commit ten days will have food paid for, plus a $25 per diem if needed. We are looking for people seeking a unique, remote, wilderness experience; and we're asking for a lot. Summer days spent working a trail with hand tools isn't many people's idea of a good time. We are committed in accomodating to the best of our abilities those individuals that are enthusiastic, experienced, and committed.

June 18th-28th will be dedicated to working a route we've designated between Babyfoot Lake and Taggart's bar. We are looking for volunteers who want to work ten days in the Kalmiopsis wilderness, or three days between Friday 18th and Sunday the 20th. Members of the extended 10 day crew will say goodbye to our weekend warriors and continue into Taggart's bar. We encourage those who have schedule differences to contact us, we are more than willing to make different arrangements as needed.

June 26th-September 6th, another crew will be launched, again with the opportunity for weekenders to pitch in. This time we will start from the western side of the Kalmiopsis wilderness, at Vulcan Lake. We will work our ways into Taggart's bar, completing an east-west route. With time, we plan on restoring the trail into Chetco bar.

Volunteers will be expected to provide everything they need for 10 days, other than food. A list will be created in the near future for what everyone will need. Eight of ten day will be spent working 6-10 hour days, depending on conditions. We are there to have a good time, bring new people into Oregon's most unique terrain, and restore access into the Kalmiopsis wilderness. This experience can be very rewarding in many faucets of your life. And offering your time for this service project is noble.

More to come.

Traction

2010-01-24T11:09:00.000-08:00

We are getting some traction in our efforts. We had a meeting with the USFS that went well, and we have a much better idea of how this is going to operate administratively. Tomorrow, Monday, the 25th of January, we are giving a proposal to the Rogue Chapter Sierra Club Executive Committee.

Babyfoot Lake to Vulcan Lake

2009-12-17T20:45:00.001-08:00

Our 2010 goal is to re-establish the route between Babyfoot Lake and Vulcan Lake by way of Taggart's bar.