Work Hike to Bamforth Ridge

Location Bamforth Ridge
Leader John Buddington
Date 18 May 2002
Event Work Hike
Participants 16 Reidun N, Kathy G, Steve L, Lexi S, David B't, John B'n, Raven W, Thomas W, Matt L, Priscilla D, Allen J, George R, Dan V, Andrew N, Bill C, Eric S

The Plan

PriorityTaskTools
1Clean drainage from River Road to Duxbury WindowHazel hoes, shovel, clippers
2Create a 4-foot wide path starting at Bamforth Ridge Shelter and working towards the Long Trail. Do the same from the shelter to the water supply. Uproot saplings--do not clip them at ground level. The path is flagged, but the actual treadway is not established.Hazel hoes and clippers.
3Drain wet area near Spruce KnobPick mattock or hazel hoes; rock bar is at the shelter site

Bill and Andrew will lead a small group to clean drainage to Duxbury Window. This work could be done by noon, at which time workers can continue 1.1 miles to the shelter site.

Eric and John will proceed to the shelter site and determine the exact site of the shelter. They will locate 3 tent platforms and adjust the spur trail accordingly. Reidun will lead the path-clearing at the shelter.

On the return trip, we can attend to the mudhole near Spruce Knob.

The Actuality

The day started with moderate rain and, despite predictions, continued as showers. Above 1500 feet elevation, precipitation turned to snow and did not melt upon contact with leaves and the ground. The temperature peaked in the mid-40's in the valley, and probably in the high 30's on Bamforth Ridge.

The turnout was larger than expected and included 7 who had not before worked with the section.

We met at 8:00 and arrived at the trail head by 8:45. We divided into a group of 7, to clear drainage to Duxbury Window, and a group of 9, to prepare paths at the Bamforth Ridge Shelter site. Three from the first group continued to the shelter site and helped there.

The past 2 weeks have been rainy and so there was plentiful evidence of where drainage was needed and how effective the existing waterbars have been. As a rule, the trail is well drained and removal of leaves was all that was required. However, the drainage crew discovered several dips in the trail that were turned into more formal drainages.

One of the newcomers was a skilled trail worker and his instruction and abilities were much appreciated by the group.

One of the veterans, shod in canvas sneakers, committed himself to draining the wet area at Mile 2.4 (Priority 3). He dug a drainage ditch which lowered the water level by about 4 inches by the time we returned.

The second group hiked directly to the shelter site and arrived there at 10:45. The group hiked in to the shelter location. We cleared saplings, branches, deadfall, and rotting logs from the shelter location and the privy site and the connections to junction of paths to these with the path to the water supply. We mapped the route of the access trail back towards the Long Trail, taking care to avoid wet spots, rocks, and towards "interesting" items like large trees and boulders. We cleared the route for about 750 feet to a width of 4 feet.

We stopped for lunch at 12:00, standing up in as the snow was falling and the ground was wet. We did not tarry because most of the group was soaked from contact with snow on branches and falling snow. After lunch, we descended to the brook and cleared the path from the brook back to the main junction. Individuals started hiking back between 12:45 and 1:15.

Before leaving, a group of stragglers located and marked 2 sites for tent platforms. They removed flagging tape that marked the access path. The most-active-trailworker and his friend insisted on digging a runoff for water at two locations at the low point just north of the Long Trail junction.

On the hike back, we warmed up relatively quickly because we were no longer being drenched by water from the branches. The rain slackened, but never stopped. A hint of sun was seen about 2:30, but was soon replaced by more showers. We arrived back at the parking area between 2:30 and 3:00.

Summary and Status

All of our goals were met in a much shorter time than expected.

Effort:

4 people, 5 hours each; 12 people, 7.5 hours each; total: 110 hours.