Dropping in on the Quartz Creek Butte Trail is a steep, steep descent on a very primitive trail. The crew bucked out some logs to make it easier to get in, but left a few to keep the motorcycles out. (They are allowed on the nearby trail that follows Quartz Ridge).
Back in 2010 we started working from the Lewis River Horse camp and we brushed, bucked and did treadwork all the way to Straight Creek. Then we had BCRT crews camp at Straight Creek and work upriver. Now we're clearing the last of the really difficult logs between Snagtooth Creek and the jct with the Quartz Creek Butte (5B) trail.
Some of the really big logs have been left in place because of the extreme danger they would pose to a saw team attempting to cut them. So the trail is not accessible to equestrians beyond Straight Creek, but it is hikeable all the way to the jct with Quartz Creek Butte trail. There is a nice camp location creekside where the Quartz Creek Butte trail crosses the creek on a large old-growth tree.
Our next Backcountry trip that will be camped there is Thur-Sun July 18-21, we need all the help we can get to continue to open the trail upriver. Please register at this link: http://vols.wta.org/web/web.pl?sm+20203+BCRT
Clearing out trees near the jct with Quartz Creek Butte Trail (5B)
Lower down where the trail crosses Straight Creek you have to shimmy across a skinny log. Here at the crossing on the Quartz Creek Butte Trail there is a big Old-Growth "bridge"
This tree doesn't look too dangerous to cut out to the untrained eye, but even the highly experienced cross-cut trainer on the Gifford Pinchot backed off after noting the suspended root wad at the far end would put an incredible amount of explosive tension in the wood fibers.
It took 8 frames stiched together to create this panorama, the scale of the forest is hard to capture in photos! (but not bad for an iPhone)
Further upriver past the jct with the Quartz Creek Butte Trail, there are many logs across the trail. Our next, we need all the help we can get, please consider volunteering!!
