Sagebrush personal hiking blog
Eight NMVFO volunteers met at Fourth of July Campground for a “Small Group Project” (not on schedule, more informal, short notice).
We lopped on the Manzano Crest, Cerro Blanco, and Bosque trails, about 2 miles in total. The Gambel Oak was thick on the crest,
We lucked out on weather, with recent rains and an overcast day providing cool temperatures for working.
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.
Eleven NMVFO and Socorro Trails volunteers lopped brush on North Baldy Trail #8 and Hop Canyon Trail #25A.
Gambel Oak along trails is a mighty foe.
