We rendezvoused at the Mitchell Trail TH around 8:00am. Bill, Tom ,Petra and Ed. Petra was just returning from a run and now headed to Slovenia.
We picked up two more for the day, Jennifer (with her dog Ariel) and Steve
Just below Guaje Ridge. Cut a couple new logs and loads of nasty Locust bushes
Our focus for the day was “North Mitchell” trail, the section of Mitchell Trail from Guaje Ridge down into Guaje Canyon. Caballo Peak with new snow in the background.
Log cut before being rolled out...
All clear! We cut A LOT of logs...40+
Ed getting ready for a particularly big cut
Give it hell, Ed!
Regaining a switchback. Last year we cut the log in front of Bill to route the trail through there but the real trail went right towards Steve. We had three chainsaws today and therefore could fix it and regain the original switchback.
McCleod Tom grooms the trail with a fine-toothed McCleod
Jennifer and Ariel heading back out after lopping a great deal of locust bushes
Steve taking a break at the ladder at Guaje Reservoir
For some reason I have half a mind to climb this chossy arete
Beist in a beautiful meadow
Guaje Canyon is extremely scenic
Turkey!
Steve is a one-man show
Our turnaround point for the day was the Guaje Canyon-Caballo Mountain Trail intersection (mile 10 in the JMTR)
Beist and Tom did some serious work here. The trail had been washed out by the stream so they moved a huge log and many large rocks in and then filled it in with soil. A masterpiece.
Steve sporting the new Nathan Ultra Chainsaw carrying pack
'Shrooms
The sign at the intersection of Mitchell/Guaje Canyon had fallen over so we fixed that too
Beware runners...this lower section of North Mitchell is technical, steep and sketchy.
First flowers of the season!
Mitchell trail was originally marked by red spray paint dots on trees and rocks. I documented a few on the return.
We did some serious cuttin' here
The Enemy. I hate these mother fu#!%& locust bushes.
Los Alamos as seen from just below Guaje Ridge
Trees that are precariously perched and ready to fall are commonly called “Widow makers”. For that reason, we let Bill try to push this one down since he was the one single guy amongst us.
