Logging run on the Basin Creek trail between the Chewuch valley and Horseshoe Basin. I'm close to finishing this work, I'm through the worst parts of the burn. I've taken it almost to the point where the trail turns and climbs aggressively up the slope, so the next visit will be the drop in attack from above, from the Topaz Mountain side.
I tried to approach the trail via Windy Peak and the Chewuch trailhead, but instead of driving around I lost my mind and took USFS roads 37 and 39 in an attempt to reach the alt trailhead. I ran into snow, but I did manage to saw 4 blocking trees off road 39 before I gave up and turned around.
On the hike up the Chewuch, I ran into Rolan and son from WTA, and we zapped some trail logs together, I think I took a half-dozen out. They did a nice job cleaning up a sprawling mountain hemlock on the trail near the Cathedral Driveway intersection.
So I think I need One More Trip to wrap this up, and it's got to be a "log or die" push from above. A little austerity and forced difficulty will help things along. I removed a ton of trees over the long weekend, and I think the light, minimalist approach is the way to go.
I'm attaching a YouTube video to show a section of trail would have been nasty and unpleasant a year ago. You can blow through there in five minutes now.
It hailed on me on the way out Monday, and I loved every second of it.
Comments
Rolan on Chewuch River Trail, Basin Creek
It was great to meet you on our trip up the Chewuch. Thank you again for all your work.
Due to the miles of moose scat, we were being cautious in our travel.
Did you notice the moose cow and calf near the trail between the corral camp and the Basin Creek ford? Even with our caution, we ended up less than 30ft from them. We could not see them because they were laying down in the brush. When we heard the whimper of the calf and the cow's response, we knew we had to carefully extract ourselves from this situation - no attempts at a Darwin Award by trying to get a picture.
Posted by:
Rolan on May 27, 2025 09:46 AM
Christian Gustafson on Chewuch River Trail, Basin Creek
Didn't see or hear them. I got a good whiff of moose on the way out yesterday but could not find the source. My daughter and I rounded a bend in #504 Andrews Creek a few years ago to meet a cow and two calves, we got scarce in a hurry.
Posted by:
Christian Gustafson on May 27, 2025 11:58 AM
KRad on Chewuch River Trail, Basin Creek
Thanks for your hard work on this trail. I did it 7 years ago and it was a blowdown nightmare back then. I can't imagine how many logs you'd have to cut. Wonderful route though. Thanks again!
Posted by:
KRad on May 27, 2025 07:54 PM