The trail use group F.O.R.E.S.T has hosted three volunteer workdays on the Table Mountain Trail in Stevens Creek County Park so far this season. We have been very successful in that we have been able to install dips and drains on the upper two miles of trail that will keep water running off the trail instead of down the rail. This will make it more user friendly for more months out of the year, a welcome alternative to seasonal closures. In the process, we also have been pruning back overgrowth, including Poison Oak, and have restored the trail tread where water and users have eroded away the surface of the trail.Our biggest project on this trail so far has been the construction of a realignment of the trail where a large section of an old Madrone tree fell on the trail and caused hikers to have to portage up and over the roots and on the bank. Shane Reed led Anthony Mascola, David Zarzycki, Fred Stanke, Tom Oshima, Darius and Kersi Contractor, Alexander Wong, Jeff Hane, Patrick Meyer, Peter Ohler and David Skinner on this section, and in the process built about 100 feet of new trailbed, moved a ton of dead wood and dirt, and made it easier for all to pass. With the help of Santa Clara County Parks employees Frank Deto and Bob Waites, I was able to lead Pierre and Patrice Tardif, Jeremy Hunt, Dave Snyder, and Jacob and Catherine Shapiro on other parts of the trail where we eliminated trail braids, removed dirt that had fallen from the uphill banks, and narrowed down areas that had gotten uncharacteristically wide.
Our next workday is this Sunday, March 7. We will be meeting at 8:30am at the intersection of Charcoal Road and Skyline Boulevard, about 1.6 miles North of Saratoga Gap, highways 9 and 35. Please respond to his email if you can make it so I know how many tools to bring. F.O.R.E.S.T provided coffee and tea, and the Trailcenter sent workers with boxes of glazed donuts to the last workday, and you will want to get counted for that, too. Bring work gloves if you have them, or borrow some of mine, and bring water and a snack you can carry on the trail. We will be working from 9:00 until 1:00.
Charles Jalgunas
Friends Of Rugged Environmentally Sound Trails
