Third Sterling Mine Ditch Trail Work Party, March 16, 2013

Come Enjoy the Early Spring Wildflowers While Helping Trim the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail on March 16!

Our trail work parties offer great outdoor exercise, a chance to meet new and interesting people, a chance to explore new places, a much-valued opportunity to do community volunteer work and most important … a guaranteed chance for fun! Your efforts keep the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail open for year-round use! Please bring your friends as many hands make light work.

When: March 16 – Saturday 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Where: Meet at the Deming Trail Head at 8:30 AM. This is a half-day work party; we’ll return to the parking area by 1:00. The Deming TH is off of Sterling Creek Road, (twenty minutes) south of Jacksonville. From downtown Jacksonville turn south on Oregon Street (the Good Bean Coffee shop will be on your left). Oregon Street turns into Applegate Street and again changes names to become Cady Road. At the top of the hill turn left on Sterling Creek Road and drive almost to the 9 mile marker. Turn left on Armstrong-Deming Road, and in 200 yards where the road forks, turn left. Travel uphill on a good gravel road for about 7/10 of a mile to the Deming trailhead.

What: This section of the trail contours along the western flank of Anderson Butte, passing through deep conifer forest, crosses Deming Creek, then passes through an oak-madrone woodland before ending at private property – a roughly 3 miles section of the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail.

What to Bring: Wear comfortable hiking or work boots, dress in layers, bring loppers or pruning saw. If you have a Pulaski, Grubber, or sturdy shovel, bring it—we’ll be doing some minor root digging and tread work. Please bring water and whatever snacks you like. SUTA will provide tread tools (Pulaskis, Grubbers) and our renowned mid-morning baked goods snack!

Weather Contingencies: Current weather forecast for Jan 19th is for a sunny, 50 degree day. We cancel work parties ONLY if serious weather threatens (pouring rain, blinding snow). Occasional showers, mist, or flurries don’t deter us…but check the SUTA website late Friday if you have doubts.

RSVP to Jim Reiland at rogalla-reiland@q.com or 541-899-1091.

And if you are planning your calendar – our next work party is the third Saturday of April – April 20th, 2013. We’re looking forward to seeing you out on the trail.

Thanks for your help.

Second Sterling Mine Ditch Trail (SMDT) work party of 2013– Saturday, February 16th!

Join the Siskiyou Upland Trails Association’s (SUTA) second Sterling Mine Ditch Trail  (SMDT) work party of 2013– Saturday, February 16th!   We’ll pass through the heart of the SMDT – a section that few hikers see because of distance from a trail head.   The trail affords non-stop views of the Siskiyou Crest, Red Buttes Wilderness, Greyback Mountain, the Little Applegate and Applegate Valleys, and the Sterling Creek drainage.  Enjoy some great outdoor exercise, meet new and interesting people, and have fun while helping to keep the SMDT open for year-round use.   Pack a lunch, and bring a friend as many hands make light work.

When:   February 16th – Saturday     8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Where:

Meet at Buncom (intersection of Little Applegate Road and Sterling Creek Road about 30 minutes south of Jacksonville) for shuttle to a private property trail access at Wolf Gulch.   See Calendar Event for Directions.  Shuttle cars leave Buncom promptly at 8:40!

What We’ll Do:

Except for the initial ¼ mile, we’ll be hiking a total of eight miles along a level trail.   From private property at Wolf Gulch we’ll hike a short distance uphill to the SMDT, then several miles west to reach a trail section where we’ll be doing some brushing, root digging and tread work.   After lunch we’ll continue working along the SMDT to Armstrong Trailhead and awaiting shuttle cars.  The first and last two miles of the day are an easy walk along well maintained sections of the SMDT.

What to Bring:

Dress in layers as the weather can change, and wear long sleeves (may encounter poison oak) and comfortable hiking or work boots.  Bring work gloves, lunch, snacks, and water in a small daypack.  If you have a Pulaski, Grubber, or sturdy shovel, bring it—loppers and a folding pruning saw can be helpful, too.   SUTA will provide some tools (Pulaskis, Grubbers) and our renowned mid-morning baked goods snack!

RSVP PLEASE:

Because this full-day work party requires a car shuttle and we need a head count for snacks, please let us know you’re coming.   If you have questions, or want to RSVP contact Jim Reiland at 541-899-1091 or email rogalla-reiland@q.com.

Weather Contingencies:

We cancel work parties only if serious weather threatens (pouring rain, blinding snow).  Scattered showers, mist, or flurries don’t deter us…but check the SUTA website late on Friday afternoon if you have doubts… Check the SUTA Facebook page or this website!