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Spawn Creek Trail Maintenance, 11 June, 2016

The morning was cool and beautiful, perfect for working on a trail.  Kandyce, Nikolai, Dave P., Dave W., and Jane (trip leader) enjoyed wildflowers and great views while making definite improvements to the Spawn Creek Trail. The boggy spring area one mile from the trailhead received a sturdy log crossing.  The willows and sagebrush encroaching on the trail were trimmed back to allow easy passage.

Arriving at the trailhead off the Temple Fork road about 8:45 a.m., the group hiked the muddy ATV trail, crossed the creek, passed the gushing side stream, and arrived at the boggy stretch near a very large beaver dam and lodge.  The beaver skid runs and the lodge entrance were clearly visible. The Daves got right to work engineering a solution to the reoccurring bog problem.  The rest of the group started brushing the trail from that point and continued about a mile; past the side trail and old mill site and through the dense sagebrush.  Invasive weeds (houndstongue, burdock, Dyer’s woad, thistle) were removed along the way.

Just after noon everyone gathered at the bog site for a restful lunch before hiking back through a light rain.

In addition to fine views of Temple Peak, Mt. Elmer and other peaks to the north, wildflowers provided fine views close-up:  tufted evening primrose, arrowleaf balsamroot, blue wild hyacinth (Brodiaea), blue flax, mule’s ear, Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium), Scarlet gilia, penstemon, bitterbrush in bloom among others.

No cattle were present yet, but both the pole fence on the south and the wire fence on the north appeared to be repaired, providing hope that the spring areas and creek will remain in good condition.

The satisfaction of improving a trail in a beautiful area provided a fine day for participating Cache Hikers.

Trip summary

• Traveled 19 miles to Spawn Creek Trailhead, arriving at 8:45 a.m.
• Clear skies and cool temperatures, turning to light rain after noon
• Lunch about 12:15 at the site of the new bog log crossing
• Started hiking out at 12:45
• Left the first 2 miles of trail in good condition, except for a few small drainage issues
• Returned to Smith’s in Logan at 2:00 p.m.

Thanks to Jane for the narrative, Dave, Jane, and Kandyce for photos and Dave for GPS work