Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
On February 26 twenty or so volunteers who make it their business to ensure Fallbrook’s rural wild lands remain accessible to hikers, horsemen and bicyclists will don work boots, pull on their gloves and pick up a shovel. The task at hand is repairing damage to 500 feet of the Santa Margarita Trail System caused by recent rains and flooding. Before the January deluge, hikers of any skill and energetic mountain bikers could easily traverse the trails and horses could cross the Santa Margarita River where needed. Now, downed trees create perilous terrain for hikers. Mountain bikers encounter boulders where once a safe dirt trail existed and water crossings are eroded leaving precarious and unstable earthen cliffs. Yet for all Mother Nature’s attempts to change the way Fallbrook enjoys its back country wild lands, she’s no match for the members of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy Trails Council and Back County Horsemen San Diego Unit who will host the trail work party.
Look for Burt Hayden at their helm directing the day’s work. He’s the Trail Boss and has been in charge for five years. “There was trail repair activity before I got involved,” Hayden claims, then adds, “it got done but I believe it was unorganized.” He says the Fallbrook Public Utility District that owns the land is grateful for the recurring trail maintenance. “Our work has saved them a lot of problems caused by irresponsible trespassers,” he says. Illegal campfires and marijuana cultivation are two of the activities he mentioned. Hayden believes the volunteer’s hard work makes the difference. “After the rains in 1993 eroded seven culverts, I expected the repair work to take several days. The volunteers accomplished it in one day,” he says proudly, acknowledging their dedication.
For the February 26 work day, Hayden needs willing adult workers from any source, and is particularly interested in people who have expertise in forestry or landscaping skills like brush clearing or operating fire fighting equipment like McLouds. Individuals who have Gator dump trucks, 4-wheel drive vehicles with a trailer or own and operate Bobcats will be critical to the effort. People wishing to volunteer should wear comfortable hiking or work boots, durable long pants–there’s Poison Oak in the vicinity–a long sleeve shirt, and bring a hat, gloves and their favorite tools like shovels, picks, loppers and hand pruners. To sign up, call Burt Hayden at (760)451-0864 or e-mail him at [email protected]. After sign-up, volunteers will meet February 26 at 8 a.m. in the Fallbrook Public Utility District parking lot, 990 E. Mission Road.
Support Fallbrook’s efforts to maintain is unique rural ambiance, maintain wild lands for people and animals, work up a sweat and come away knowing you can look back at the accomplishments of the day and say, “I did that.”
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