Trail creation through the Alder Seep

TRAILS: 3.5 hours: 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM

Trail creation through the Alder Seep and Cedar Shake Park in Eastern Wedge unit #5.

Trail creation in Eastern Wedge unit #5. Continued along the northern edge of Alder Seep, cutting through the dense brush and cull trees just below the line of old stumps. Rounded the corner and cut a route across the seep, using some cedar shake bolts as stepping stones across the broad wet zone. Continued up the bank on the southern side of the seep, heading south about a hundred feet towards the next, smaller wet zone – stopped due to darkness. Also discovered the eastern property line at the top of the Alder Seep – it is well-marked, with a rough surveying trail running along it – should return to this and do additional clearing for long-term maintenance along the line.

BEFORE (11:50 AM): Trail section to be blazed along the north edge of the Alder Seep.

Heavy brush and suppressed trees dominate this proposed trail section. Not the easiest way to route this trail, but it will run along the contour, highlighting a line of ancient cedar stumps on the uphill side and avoiding a steep drop to the wet area on the downhill side.

The “Alder Seep” is a wide , gently sloping depression in the hillside where water is oozing out from all sides, populated by young alder trees.

AFTER (1:24 PM): Trail opened up along the north edge of the Alder Seep.

Still a fairly rough terrain that will need to be carved out with a shovel and mattock to create a final grade.

Note the old stumps on the uphill side and the removal of suppressed trees along the route. Also pruned the low, dead branches on the remaining trees. Left the hemlock thicket intact above the stumps for wildlife cover.