I returned to Potato Trail #38, to scout conditions for an NMVFO project in two weeks. Although the trail has not changed much since my first scouting, I was able to flag the disappearing trail further, to about 1.1 miles, counting 167 blowdowns in that distance.
In several places erosion has carved gullies across the trail. After the 2016 fire the soil is loose and crumbly, and we are not cleared to work on tread.
The dominant understory plant is a prickly bush, likely gooseberry. In many spots this needs to be lopped away from the trail.
While visiting Potato Canyon I also looked for a likely campsite for our trail group, car-camping with around 15 vehicles. The Lookout at Mount Withington has a grassy area with ample parking and a picnic table and a few shade trees, only 0.6 miles from the trailhead. The spot is rather exposed, at 10k elevation, so we have an alternate camping spot in case of an iffy weather forecast.
