Mt. Disappointment Race Trail-work
The Mt. Disappointment Endurance Race is an approved USDA Forest Service Region 5 Angeles National Forest trail maintenance group. Trail restoration, trail maintenance, and trailhead/station area improvement/maintenance projects are charities of The Mt. Disappointment Endurance Race:

• Restoration and maintenance of the USFS trail network
• Providing volunteer opportunities for Los Angeles area residents
• Painting, masonry, repair tables, rails, signs, structures, parking area clean-up, Sutter walls
• Assisting other volunteer groups with their projects
• Providing projects and hands-on help for scouting troops

Trail-work meeting place: (Meeting time is 7:00am for 2010)

• Until further notice in 2010 all Mt. Disappointment trail-work volunteers will meet at the Starbucks parking lot at 8399 Foothill Blvd, Sunland, CA  91040
• Directions:
• Exit at Sunland Blvd and go north off the 210 FWY.
• Sunland Blvd becomes Foothill Blvd, so continue north.
• Starbucks is at the corner of Oro Vista and Foothill Blvd (about ½ mile north of 210 FWY).

You MUST e-mail Gary during the week before the trail-work day so we have enough tools!!

Trail work dates are:

Please contact Gary Hilliard or Gabor Kozinc if you want to come help. All trailwork hours can be certified for volunteer credit.

Kenyon-Devore Trail Maintenance

 

Things to bring for trail-work (USFS wants to see proper clothing…please help us comply)

• Proper clothing – Hat, long pants, and bring a long-sleeve shirt.
• Trail shoes or boots (the USFS likes leather work shoe/boots.  Please come and volunteer even if your shoes are not complete leather.  No Sandals or flip-flops!  Thanks.)
• Work gloves!
• Sunscreen, Ivy Block, bug repellant, netting if preferred.
• Food & water (enough for a full day’s hike/work).
• Personal first-aid kit, band-aids.

Trailwork is for you if interested, it is not mandatory for race entry.

Safety Notes:
1. Some insects seem to bother people, so you should be prepared. Have and use the necessary repellent that works for you.
2. Poison oak exists in the forest. Please take any necessary precautions.
3. Be prepared for hot weather (in case you haven't come out of the Air Conditioning lately).
4. Carry band-aids or blister kits if you blister.

Carpooling, Meeting Place:
Everyone should try to carpool. For 2010 we will meet at the Starbucks parking lot at 8399 Foothill Blvd in Sunland, drive down to Oro Vista, park there and carpool to the work location.  Forest Adventure Passes are required to park in the National Forest.  Passes can be purchased at REI. I will try to have some one-day passes ($5.00) with me. 
Finally, trailwork can be more exhausting than ultra-running, mountain biking, or hiking. Don't be discouraged if you become tired. Pace yourself and KEEP drinking fluids. This is a very damaged yet scenic and beautiful Forest. We want you to have a GREAT San Gabriel Mountain trail-work experience.

Gary Hilliard, Race Director and Trail Group Team Leader
e-mail:  gary@mtdisappointment50k.com            Home: (626) 836-8950

The McLeod and Pulaski

Safety First!

Always have a safety orientation meeting on the tools and the trails BEFORE beginning any trail work. Always have someone available with first aid training and a first aid kit close by. When working with tools of any type, always be safe.
THINK! Be aware of what is going on around you, and never swing or carry a tool over your shoulders. Also, be ambidextrous with tools, so at the end of the day; you will be sore all over and not just on one side.

Happy Trails!

Photos by Jan and Mike Riter (courtesy of International Mountain Biking Association IMBA).
Some of the narrative information above also courtesy of IMBA.
More information can be found at: The IMBA website

Volunteers clear trail

Thanks go out to Rollan James Parker of BSA Troup 966 (Torrance) who's Eagle Scout project involved clearing the section of trail between Switzer's and Clear Creek Station. Rollan, along with Trail Boss Leader David Ledford (Scoutmaster) and their group of 29 volunteers, worked in 100 degree heat to clear the trail of vegetation and rocks. The staff of the Mt. Disappointment 50k is very grateful to them for their tireless efforts.