2009 November Trail Daze Recap

With snow blanketing the high country, we turned the attention of our November 14th volunteer work day towards protecting the Pauley Creek Watershed and winterizing the tread on Second Divide Trail; a motorized, multiple-use trail located in the Tahoe National Forest near the town of Downieville. Second Divide Trail is part of the world famous Downieville Downhill trail system and is listed as a high-use trail by the local Forest Service. This popular trail sees several thousand users per season, most of which are mountain bikers and motorcycle riders. Second Divide Trail is also part of an on-going Trail Adoption program supported by the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship and sponsored by Fox Racing Shox.

Like a lot of our restoration work this time of year, the focus was on installing and cleaning drains, off-sloping tread and constructing rolling dips; all techniques aimed at reducing natural and user caused erosion, and keeping our streams clean for the fishes and folks downstream. We strategically chose Second Divide, as it sits in the sunshine amongst the oaks, which were dropping their leaves in the breeze and providing what some described as a psychedelic experience... anyway, the sun provided some much appreciated warmth for the 21 dedicated volunteers who turned up, and the recent moisture made the dirt scrumptiously delicious for digging. Kind of like spreading frosting on your favorite cupcake. MMMMmmmmmmmMMMMMM!

The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship will continue its winter work program in Downieville with another volunteer work day scheduled for December 12th (weather permitting) on the North Yuba Trail. The focus will be on widening sections of tread between Downieville and Goodyears Bar. See you there!