TIME SENSITIVE: Suggestions for Pinnacles Climber Appreciation Weekend Worksites

[Ranger MAK]

If we haven't met, I'm a Protection Ranger at Pinnacles.  I'm looking for suggestions for trail improvement/maintenance work for this year's Climber Appreciation Weekend (10/23-25/2015)  If you have suggestions, please post them by 8/12/2015.

No suggestion is off limits, but a number of factors affect our work plan.  If you show up in October and your project isn't on the list, I will be happy to explain why.  If you don't post your suggestion, don't expect me to listen about what we "should've" done. 

Take Care & Have Fun!

[Aaron McDonald]

Hey Mac!

Welcome to the forum. It is amazing how quickly the native plants try to take back the trails. The trail out to the Hand is already starting to get over grown.  Might recommend some slight maintenance in that direction. 

[JC w KC redux]

It is amazing how quickly the native plants try to take back the trails. The trail out to the Hand is already starting to get over grown.  Might recommend some slight maintenance in that direction. 

Yep - I actually mentioned that one to Mac on Sunday. Sprigs are growing up rapidly from stumps that weren't removed along that section (the old CCC road). Bust out the maddocks and a small group can probably get this done pretty quickly.

There is also a fairly sizable tree that split and fell across that same approach trail where you cross the end of the reservoir. Unfortunately people have already started to walk around it and establish an auxiliary trail. It shouldn't be too much work to cut the tree up a bit, move the cuttings and erase the auxiliary trail.

[JC w KC redux]

It would undoubtedly also be worthwhile to do some recon on the highest use areas that are being loved to death.
I think we should evaluate how the work that was done in these locations last year is holding up and if they need anything additional.

Tourist Trap
Discovery Wall
Monolith
Upper Crust
The Sisters
Teaching Rock

We also worked at Pipsqueak and The Flatiron last year. I haven't been to either of these spots for a while.
I was up at Pipsqueak last on 11-15-14 and it still looked good. I never saw what was done at Flatiron.

I also talked to Mak about some possible reinforcement of some of the access trails on the west side.
The step trail up to Crowley could probably stand to be reinforced with some rock higher up.
I have also noticed some of the timbers coming loose along the approach to The Citadel.

Thinking in terms of other high use areas on the west side...
I think The Flumes and Destiny Wall are in pretty good shape.
Has anyone noticed anything else that needs attention on the west side?

There may be a few shortcuts developed or developing that need blocked along the Canyon trail.
I seem to recall at least one timber that failed in the lower section.
I guess those issues fall more under trail crew response rather than access/climbing areas trail though.
 

I can come down just about any Friday and check it out with you and whoever else wants to get involved Mak.

[JC w KC redux]

Larry just sent me an email with all this

The 2015 Pinnacles Climber Appreciation Days are ON!  Mark your calendars - Oct 23-25th - and tell your friends.

As you may have heard, James Bouknight has stepped up to a new position - at Joshua Tree National Park and we will miss him.    We are in contact and he is "behind us 100%".  We will be in quite capable hands with a new Pinnacles N.P. liaison - Mathias Spero who you may have met last year and is gung-ho to help out.   We welcome his involvement.  Like previous years John Dunham from the Trail Shop will supply us with tools and materials with support from Mike (who's temporarily filling James place).   

Slightly new format this year:  Friday will be a full project day as will Saturday and presents opportunity for those who may have family obligations on the weekend.   We want to get a lot done Fri-Sat so we can climb on Sunday.   Sat evening will be the BBQ & Gearapalooza; Sunday we are all free to paw the rock with many new and old friends!  In particular we want to encourage folks to "work" both days so we have continuity and can complete projects.  More detailed information (registration, camping, raffle and auction) will be forthcoming in the next two weeks.

My real reason in reaching out to  y'all (this is Jamie talking thru me) - is to gain your advice and input for sites needing attention and you ideas about projects.  If you would take a moment to review this list and let myself and Mathias (Mack) know your thoughts and suggested priorities it would be a big help.  Please respond this week, so he and I  can talk next week, formulate a plan, source materials and permissions and make it happen! 

Here are some of the opportunities:


Follow Up
Pipsqueak -  tune-up team to survey work from '14 and make any repairs
Discovery Wall - base of Swallow Crack  #74 - possible 2-3 check steps*  volunteer plaques
Upper Crust - maintain blocks and brushing from '14; tune up staging areas  #210-211 (rail fence?)

Extensions
Tourist Trap - tune up team; possible extension of trail up and right (terraces & steps);  volunteer plaques
Upper Crust - continue log steps in upper chimney; block old trail to summit & recover retaining lumber; 
CCC Road - W of Reservoir, tune up last years work and push towards W side VC? 

New Work
Unmentionable - define preferred path, build couple of steps, brush / block unnecessary paths
Teaching Rock - Rx of base, mitigate erosion (tree roots), water bars, steps & staging areas (this is a big project and needs detail & permissions)

Future Projects (we could assign scouts to plan and make topo w/ notes)
Hand / Snail / Frog access - Deserted Valley we looked at this... should a trail be aligned out of the creek bed (to the E)?   Mud n'Crud connector?
Yaks Access - which is preferred? what to do with open slope S of Monolith?
Reservoir N Side - Is their a logical path route - out past The Watchman - to the CCC Rd?

West Side (future - possibly survey and do this over several "Fridays")
Alias Bandits to Corona (and beyond) - needs retaining, steps, definition of staging areas; big project that needs detailed plan, possibly rock work.  ideas? .
Flumes Wall - what is needed from Tilting Terrace down and left (again future)
Upper Flumes - new area, does this need a path or brushing?

Clean Sweep trash pick up (annual projects)
- Reservoir perimeter hike
- Caves down & below Monolith; requires 3-4 pp rappelling / ascending teams
- Back Door area and below Rim Trail; requires 3-4 pp rappelling / ascending teams
- High Peaks / Hawkins Peak  trails hike
- Old Pinnacles Trail  to Juniper Canyon

*  Stone work, usually done by seasonal contractors.

[F4?]

Reservoir N Side - Is their a logical path route - out past The Watchman - to the CCC Rd?

I can't believe that dang tree is STILL alive and over the trail. It's been +10 years.
The work-around trail used to get folks lost...but it looks like a path was opened up.

And another good idea

[/Discovery Wall - base of Swallow Crack  #74 - possible 2-3 check steps*  volunteer plaques

[clink]

Reservoir N Side - Is their a logical path route - out past The Watchman - to the CCC Rd?

 My vote.

[clink]

volunteer plaques

Only on nice benches, next to paved baby stroller paths.

[Aaron McDonald]

The new Flumes routes should have an established path as well.

[JC w KC redux]

The new Flumes routes should have an established path as well.

That's on Larry's list and last time I was by there (not long ago) - there is an obvious path.
I'm surprised more folks haven't chimed in here about climbing the new routes.
People have clearly been going up there - it might also be getting some curious hiker traffic.

[waldo]

Piedras Bonitas?  Might we work out a climbers' trail from the new entrance station to the ridge and over to the crags? Or is this beyond our scope?

[Ranger MAK]

Thank you all for your ideas!  Here's what we're doing:

East Side: We're going out today to check on climber access to areas in Bear Gulch and beyond the Reservoir.  We'll work with Trails staff to compile a list of work that is both useful and within the scope of authorized work.

West Side: I will consult with our Trails staff and the climber community to determine if there is enough interest and logistical support to pull off these projects this year.

High Peaks: I will consult with our Trails staff and check on these projects next week.

Stay tuned, keep climbing, and thanks again!