Trail creation along south side of Clearwater Creek

TRAILS: 5 hours: 2:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Cleared a route along the south edge of RMZ unit #3 and South Side unit #4.

Trail establishment/clearing on south side of creek. Continued upstream along the edge of the RMZ, with the remnant forest to the north and the clear-cut to the south. Roughly followed an elk trail, trying to find the nice, gentle grade free of dips and obstructions, as close to the creek ravine edge as possible. Lots of blow-down timber in this zone, along with significant brush cutting and pulling. Lots of blackberry throughout this sun-soaked area, although it remains easy to pull. A few scotch broom as well. Will not bother pulling out blackberry except along the trails – in five years the new tree growth should provide enough shade to weaken and ultimately kill the blackberry. This area is fully stocked, even over-stocked with natural regeneration, including a lot of alder, a fair amount of spruce and even some cedar, along with the over-abundant and clumpy hemlock. Opened up the trail to a high point overlooking Clearwater Creek and a side ravine from the south which bisects the south side of the property (unit #4). Bushwhacked up the slight ridge to the south to find a connection with the skid road system. Scoped out some potential routes to connect the trail and road, but nothing definite yet.

Naturally regenerated clear-cut in NW quadrant.

This is a photo of a patch clear-cut on the north side of the creek, but it is the same age and very similar to the larger clear-cut on the south side of the creek. It also shows the remaining forest edge, similar to the demarcation between the RMZ and the clear-cut on the south side, along which this trail was routed. The new trees are five or six years old, as this land was cut in the winter of 2007/2008 and was left to naturally regenerate.