We’d like to offer a huge thank you to the many SUTA volunteers who have helped to clear the Sterling Mine Ditch and Jack-Ash Trails since the early February snowstorm dropped hundreds of trees. Although we’re not quite finished, we’re about two-thirds of the way through clearing nearly forty miles of trail. The response from all of you has been nothing short of amazing and it just reinforces how much we all love these trails and want to keep them open for everyone to enjoy.
The trail clearing work has been done during four-to-five hour work parties held most Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning in late February, beginning at 9AM and working until around 1PM, with a few notable exceptions when our volunteers worked longer days. So far we have recorded about one hundred-fifty hours of volunteer time to clear the trails. Much gratitude and thanks to volunteer sawyers and swampers Sam Dennis, Trevor Meyer, Derrick Gunther, Geoff Weaver, Ken Caetano, Liz Shen, Max Bennett, Aaron Krikava, Al Petro, Joy Rogalla, Jim Reilland and Annette Parsons and Cate Bendock with their horses and mule, for sawing and swamping their way through miles of downed trees.
Another forty hours were spent scouting the trails and making detailed trail condition reports (tree size and location) which helps us to prioritize and plan work parties. Our thanks to Katy Mallams, Duane Mallams, Joy Rogalla, Jeff Spindler, and Liz Shen for scouting the trails and making detailed log out reports. Thanks also to the BLM’s John Haley for clearing much of the eastern end of the SMDT—much appreciated!
It takes a team—thank you for the amazing response to keep our trails open.
The remaining trails segments listed below are not yet cleared but still passable if you’re willing to negotiate the occasional fallen tree or tangle of trees or manzanita:
- Upper and middle Jack-Ash Trail from Anderson Ridge TH to Greenstone TH, and from Griffin Gap TH to Grub Gulch
- Hidden Creek Trail (across the road from Grub Gulch TH. This is not recommended until we can clear it – it’s nearly impassable in places)
- Sterling Mine Ditch Trail from the top of the Bear Gulch Access Trail to the western-most tip of the SMDT system at the Armstrong Ridge Trail Junction
- Upper Bear Gulch Trail from the West Bear Gulch Trail Junction to Tunnel Ridge
- Sterling Mine Ditch Trail from Tunnel Ridge access trail junction east to the Little Applegate Bypass Trail Junction.
We’re planning to continue this work most Tuesdays and Thursdays from now until the mid-April until the entire SMDT and Jack-Ash Trail System is accessible…just in time for a spectacular springtime wildflower show!
If you’d like to help with trail clearing and have a block of free time on a Tuesday or Thursday morning in March and April, email us at sutaoregoncontact@gmail.com, or contact Jim Reiland, the SUTA maintenance coordinator, at jim@manyhandsbuilders.com or 541-200-9546 to learn how you can help.
Meanwhile, please use the trails with caution. This recent winter storm is a reminder that high winds, wet soils, and dead or dying trees increase the risk of trees falling so check wind and weather conditions before heading out to your favorite trailhead.