8/14&15: Two Days on Cardigan
8/14 Patrol & Prep on S Rdg Tr
So, Friday 8/14 I arrived at Mt Cardigan State Park by 0900. What with passing out the map to 8 or 10 parties of hikers, plus outreach to them, I started up the trail about 1030. Got to S Rdg Tr jct around 1130, had lunch, hiked up S Rdg Tr noting jobs to do, took nap, reached steep gullied site at 1330. Flagged 7 jobs, including new & replacement waterbars, some steps. Many blowdowns near for logs, several rocks handy for steps. Down 1430, at park by 1600.
Crew on Saturday is fit and experienced, Team Leader has 20+ years' experience. They'll judge well.
All the Best,
Craig, CHVTC
Trailmaster
8/15 Report from Saturday’s Crew on Cardigan
Five of us (Cardigan Highlanders Ben and Four-legged Ambassador Hank, Andrew, and Team Leader Scott, and new volunteer Nicki) headed farther up the South Ridge Trail to attend to the sites previously flagged by Trailmaster Craig.
Most of our tasks were focused on restoring existing drainage fixtures or creating new drainage fixtures. We created one new rock water bar near the top of a steep pitch that should help to curtail the erosion that has been washing away the trail tread below. Without the remedial action of installing the water bar, the relentless erosion of the elements and hiker traffic will eventually create a gully—the kind of management problem we prefer to avoid.
We also replaced a log step that had rapidly disintegrated over the past few years. A downed balsam fir cut to a 10’ length provided the ideal replacement step.
Although in place for many years, the South Ridge Trail seems to be experiencing an uptick in traffic. One of our crew noted that it has been promoted on social media as an ideal ascent route for a loop hike using the West Ridge Trail as the descent route. Given this newfound popularity, we expect to spend additional time on the South Ridge Trail in the years ahead to ensure it remains in good stead.
Submitted by,
Team Leader Scott
