High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew

It's the end of the year and people are looking for deductions. Don't forget that all donations are tax deductible. Start the year off with a bang! There are 2 trips going to work on the San Joaquin River Trail in January. Stay overnight and test out that new camping gear you just got. You can come out just for the day if you are feeling less adventurous. Either way its just good fun. https://trailcrew.org/event/190105-sjrt-overnight/

HSVTC - Space Available to GET OUTDOORS this weekends trip on the San Joaquin River Trail - https://mailchi.mp//hsvtc-space-available-to-get-outdoors- click link here to sign up: Dec. 1 Trip - 181201 San Joaquin River Trail day/overnight trip: https://trailcrew.org/event/8868/?event_date=2018-12-01

Did you know that if you are committed to stewardship and volunteer for any High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew Projects your trip is free? Come have fun, camp, restore a trail and enjoy in the outdoors! Trips for November are in the San Joaquin River Gorge and in December we have a trip planned in the Walker Pass area on the Southern portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Near Sequoia National Forest. Each trip offers a different experience. Come have some fun and enjoy the fall ...weather and restore a trail on your public lands. Want to register now? Click the links below and sign up for one or more trip(s). Nov. 3rd Trip - 181103 San Joaquin River Trail day/overnight trip: https://trailcrew.org//181103-san-joaquin-river-trail-da/ Nov. 17th Trip - 181117 San Joaquin River Tail day /overnight trip https://trailcrew.org/event/8865/?event_date=2018-11-17 Dec. 1 Trip - 181201 San Joaquin River Trail day/overnight trip: https://trailcrew.org/event/8868/?event_date=2018-12-01 Dec. 13th Trip - 181213 Walker Pass (PCT) Base Camp: https://trailcrew.org/event/181213-walker-pass-base-camp/ Trips are open to all. Bring the family and create some memories! #Getoutdoors #Thisisyours #PublicStewards #CreateMemories #AllAges #FamilyFun

END OF YEAR TRIPS HAVE BEEN POSTED!!!! Come join us on one of our year end trips, three Overnight/Day trips on the San Joaquin River Trail listed below and one Base Camp Trip to be scheduled in November on the Southern portion of the Pacific Crest Trail near Sequoia National Forest. Lets get out there and do some trail building and enjoy the fall weather and beautiful scenery along the San Joaquin River Gorge. Click on the links below for trip information and sign up for the ...Trip. See you on the San Joaquin River Trail. 181103 San Joaquin River Trail Day Overnight Trip 181117 San Joaquin River Trail Overnight/Day trip 181201 San Joaquin River Trail Overnight/Day trip

Are you looking for an opportunity to hike along the beautiful San Joaquin River or camp with your family? No experience needed. We supply the food, equipment and training all FREE of charge. All we want from you is your spirit of stewardship. Spaces are still available to join the San Joaquin River Trail Overnight (or if you prefer, Day Trip) this weekend! (MUST SIGN UP as member on website to register for trip) https://trailcrew.org//181013-san-joaquin-river-trail-da/...Continue reading

Where were you? We had so much fun. Just look at the expressions on our faces and you can tell. Come with us and spend the weekend or just the day. Check out the link below. don't forget to like us and share the post if you can. Thank you https://trailcrew.org//180324-san-joaquin-river-trail-ov/

Too HOT for you? Dip Your toe in the Mono Creek and get your feet wet with the High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew. We will be working in beautiful mountain forests and gorgeous granite along Mono Creek and the PCT. No experience needed. We supply the food, equipment and training all FREE of charge. All we want from you is your spirit of stewardship. This is a moderate difficulty trip beginning at Mono Creek trail Head and heads East up towards the Pacific Crest Trail. The work area and camp will be located along the Upper Mono Creek East of the Pacific Crest Trail. The crew will hike in to the work area Sunday morning and return to the trail head on the following Saturday afternoon. Please like and share this post for a good cause. See you on the mountain! https://trailcrew.org//180715-upper-mono-creek-trip-back/

Please come join us July 1st for another one of our free adventures. Do you feel like beating the heat in the valley? Does the thought of "no cell service" for a little while sound like a good thing? You are not alone and you are the type of person we are looking for. The link has more detales. Just click "Volunteer" to get started. Don't forget to like us and share this post if you can. See you on the Mountain! https://trailcrew.org//180701-pct-north-back-packing-trip/

Due to the beetle epidemic in California many of the dead and dying trees have fallen across the public trails making them difficult or impossible in some cases to use them to enjoy our public lands. Come join us for another adventure! This time we are going in to clear these trees with crosscut saws. Just like the Lumberjacks used to do. This way people can begin enjoying the trail system again. The link below has more information. If you decide you want to participate just click on volunteer to get started. Don't forget to like this post and share it if you can. Thanks. We can always use the help. https://trailcrew.org//180624-bear-ridge-to-pct-tree-cut/

Put down the electronic devices and get outside for a change. No experience needed and we provide all equipment food and good times all without asking you for a dime. check out the link below for more information. trailcrew.org//180324-san-joaquin-river-trail-overnight-/

How did you spend YOUR time last weekend?

We are at it again. Why don't you come with us this time? See what all the fuss is about. Considering it is FREE you can't beat the price. Click the link to find out more. https://trailcrew.org//180224-san-joaquin-river-trail-ov/

Did you miss out on the adventure we just had? Don't get left behind again. Sign up now to reserve your spot. Come out for just the day Saturday Feb. 10th or spend a night under the stars and have more adventures on Sunday Feb. 11th. Just click the link below and see what your missing out on. https://trailcrew.org//180210-san-joaquin-river-trail-ov/

There is still lots of room left for the January 27th and 28th San Joaquin River Trail construction project. Grab a friend come out just for the day or if you are feeling adventurous have dinner then spend the night under the stars.

You can make this a day trip or an overnight trip just specify which when you sign up for the trip. This is a family-friendly all ages overnight trip or day trip open to all skill levels and abilities. The trip offers people the opportunity to test out their gear learn about nature and have the option of staying overnight. People will have the option of staying overnight or hiking out the same day. The project area is near Kerckhoff and Redinger Lakes with views of the San Jo...aquin River canyon and Redinger Lake. The work to be performed will be variable according to skills and circumstance. Food will be provided for Saturday lunch through Sunday lunch. Crews will hike in to work area about 2 miles one way in the morning and arrive back at the trail head at around 4 PM if they are hiking out the same day. https://trailcrew.org//180127-san-joaquin-river-trail-ov/

Have you gone on a trip with us before and wished you had some sweet pictures of all the fun you had using a cross cut saw? Our website has a photo gallery that we work hard keeping up to date with each trip! Check it out!

Your next adventure awaits! This is a family-friendly weekend trip open to all skill levels and abilities. A base camp will be set-up at Trapper Springs Campground Thursday afternoon. The camp and work area is near a lake with views of the High Sierra and a dozen granite domes. The elevation at camp is 8,400 feet and the work to be performed will be variable according to skills and circumstance. Food will be provided Thursday dinner through Sunday lunch. Crews will hike in to work areas each morning and arrive back at camp around 3:30 PM, leaving plenty of time to enjoy nature and explore the area.

Join us on our next base camp trip to Manter Meadow in Sequoia National Park. We will be camping out from August 3rd-6th! Like always, we provide cooked meals for our volunteers. Come on out and camp under the stars, sit around a campfire after a day of hard work. Most importantly, make memories and have fun!

It's not too late to sign up for our Big Meadows Base Camp trip! The goal of this project is to maintain 5-7 miles of the Stony Creek Trail. At High Sierra Trail Crew we have 2 rules; Be safe and have fun! Join us on our next adventure by clicking the link below!

Escape the valley heat and join us at 8,000 ft. elevation! Our next trip is scheduled for Thursday, June 29th to Sunday, July 2nd. This is a base-camp trip, we will be camping at the Minarets National Forest work station which includes toilets and showers. All food for this trip will be provided by the High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew. You will need to bring your own tent and bedding. Of course, this is a trip we will be working along the San Joaquin River Trail so all volunteers must carry their 10-essentials as well as wear appropriate clothing, (long sleeve shirts, long pants, and boots.) Hard hats and eye protection will be provided. Sign up at Trailcrew,org!

Hello friends and fellow volunteers, our next outing along the San Joaquin River Trail will be June 3rd as well as June 4th. Volunteers have the option of hiking in Saturday or Sunday as day trips or backpacking in Saturday and spending the night along the lake and hiking out Sunday. This is a smaller trip then our regular backpacking and base-camp trips out of the High Sierras which consist of several nights; this is a great opportunity to come and see what High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew is all about!

Making trails and memories along the way. 2016-Present; a collection of group photos and favorite memories working along the SJRT. More trips and pictures to come!

A big thank you to River Tree Volunteers for providing canoe support on our San Joaquin River Trail overnight trips. With their help we are able to transport our gear and food across the lake to the campsite allowing our volunteers to dine on gourmet food! Here are a few pictures from our trip this weekend.

Still looking for something to do this weekend? Our next trip is this weekend. We will be working on establishing the San Joaquin River Trail. This is the perfect trip for those of you looking to get involved with volunteering and families are welcome! To join this trip simply register on our website, scroll over Get Involved, and sign up on our event calendar.

Photos of our last trip along the San Joaquin River Trail on March 25-26th, 2017. We had a fantastic time providing day trips as well as the option of overnight camping for our volunteers. We are looking forward to our next trip on May 6th-7th along the SJRT and we hope to see you there!

Our next trip date is May 6th through May 7th. We will be working on establishing the San Joaquin River Trail. This is the perfect trip for those of you looking to get involved with volunteering. On Saturday, May 6th, volunteers have the option of attending for the day or spending the night out under the stars. For those of you who choose to camp out we will be working Sunday, May 7th and then hiking out. For those of you who may not be able to attend on the 6th, you may also volunteer Sunday, May 7th. for a day trip along the beautiful San Joaquin River. To join this trip simply register on our website, scroll over Get Involved, and sign up on our event calendar.

Come Join us on this free volunteer experience on our public lands building a new trail. There is still some room for more volunteers. Click on the link to sign up. See you on the mountain http://trailcrew.org//170325-march-25th-san-joaquin-rive/

Marijuana may be legal now but not when you grow it on our public lands and leave a big mess to clean up. Join us this weekend and next week to help us clean up our public lands. It is OK if you can just do 1 or 2 days we would still love to have you. sign up here. http://trailcrew.org//1655-november-ert-trash-cleanup-da/

This Black Friday We'll be outside because fresh air makes us feel free. Will you go out with us? #OptOutside REI

http://trailcrew.org/event/1646-san-joaquin-river-trail-8/ Take a day to give back to your public lands. Sign up here to join us.

http://trailcrew.org//1645-san-joaquin-river-trail-7-day/ Come and see what it's all about. there are still spots available.

Register today for this great project in honor of National Public Lands Day. You'll receive a free REI Stewardship shirt!

Join us for National Public Lands Day with REI Fresno at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area on Saturday, Sept 24th. We'll do some trail revitalization in the morning and then enjoy lunch. All volunteers will receive a t-shirt from REI! Sign up at: http://bit.ly/2cPHxG1

http://trailcrew.org/event/1623-courtright-base-camp/ Courtright Base Camp sponsored by Tioga Sequoia Brewing Company is coming up next week Here is a picture of one of the three crews we had out last year, we had a great time. Get out of the heat and come on up to the Courtright reservoir and do some car camping for free. This is a beautiful area and this is always a fun trip.

http://trailcrew.org//1624-golden-trout-wilderness-back-/ http://trailcrew.org//1625-golden-trout-wilderness-back-/ You can still sign up and get out there one more time.... The Golden Trout # 1 and #2 back packing trips are coming up soon starting August 28th. It might be your last chance to make a back packing trip this year. The mountains near the Mineral King Area in the Sequoia National Forest are incredible stark beauty and huge vistas. There are 8 people signed up for the # 1 trip and 6 signed up for the # 2 trip.

http://trailcrew.org//1625-golden-trout-wilderness-back-/ Looking for a way to escape the heat? come join us on this free backpacking trip to one of the most scenic wilderness areas in the sierras. we bring the food you bring a good attitude and a spirit of giving back.

http://trailcrew.org//1624-golden-trout-wilderness-back-/ If you like to backpack this is the free trip to go on. Come with us and let us bring the food. It is also a great way to give back to our public lands by helping to maintain them.

http://trailcrew.org/event/1623-courtright-base-camp/ This free car-camping trip is sponsored by Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company. It should be lots of fun just like the Big Meadows trip we just got back from.

http://trailcrew.org/event/1623-courtright-base-camp/ There is still time to sign up!

http://trailcrew.org//1621-ansel-adams-back-packing-trip/ There is still time to sign up!

http://trailcrew.org//1618-ansel-adams-wilderness-back-p/ There is still time to sign up!

http://trailcrew.org/event/1614-big-meadows-base-camp/ There is still time to sign up!

http://trailcrew.org/event/1616-edison-base-camp/ Sign up now for this free trip. There are 19 people signed up now but there is still plenty of room. Sunday 6/30/2016 is the last day you can get your name on the list. Don't get left behind.

Hello everyone: We still have some space on the San Joaquin River Trail Base Camp happening on June 16th through 19th. We have about twenty people signed up and would love to have you come up and join us. Check out the trip on our web. This is a three day base camp working on the San Joaquin River Trail a partnership between the San Joaquin River Trail Council and the High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew. You do not need to attend all of the days, you can just come up for a day or two if you would like. Get out of the Heat and head up into the mountains next weekend.

Hello Trail Stewards! Plan a trip to the beautiful Sierra this summer! We have multiple base camp events coming up in the next few months. From Giant Sequoias to alpine lakes, from the South to the Central Sierra there is a trip for you. Please check your calendars and sign up today! Upcoming Base Camp Trips:... May 26th - May 29th Camp Nelson Base Camp Enjoy the magic of Giant Sequoias as we work along the Tule River. June 16th - June 19th SJRT Minarets Base Camp Breathtaking vistas of the High Sierra as we continue work on upper sections of the San Joaquin River Trail. June 30th - July 3rd Edison Lake Base Camp Pitch your tent and take in the beautiful views of the lake and jagged peaks. July 21st July 24th Big Meadow Base Camp Located between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, join us as we help maintain trails in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness. Thank you for volunteering your time and energy to participate in preservation, stewardship, and restoration on our public lands. See you in the Sierra! High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew www.trailcrew.org 559.325.2874

Here are more pictures from the SJRT Day Trip April 16th. Thanks to River Rich for being a wonderful photographer and volunteer!

Trip Updates: The SJRT Day Trip planned by Fresno State Recreation students was a great success. A group of 15 built 200 feet of new trail! The SJRT #4 Base Camp was this past weekend. Even with the afternoon rain on Earth Day, we had a wonderful time! Look for a post with pictures and work accomplishments next week.... Upcoming Trips- May 26th- May 29th Camp Nelson Base Camp June 16th- June 19 SJRT Minarets Base Camp June 26th- July 2nd PCT North Backpacking Trip June 30th - July 3rd Edison Lake Base Camp Happy trails!

Hello Crew! Happy Earth Day! Join us out on the San Joaquin River Trail in celebration of the wonderful planet we are fortunate enough to call home.... We will be camped at Smalley Cove on the shores of Kerckhoff Lake Thursday through Sunday and working at Italian Bar Road near the bridge over Redinger Lake. Visit out website for more info! http://trailcrew.org//1604-san-joaquin-river-trail-base-/ Happy Trails!

New post (2016 SJRT Spring Trips Update) has been published on High Sierra Volunteer Trailcrew

New post (2015 Big Meadows Base Camp) has been published on High Sierra Volunteer Trailcrew

Upcoming Trips! With Spring comes opportunities to explore. Join us in making history in the beautiful Sierra foothills. 3/17-3/20 St. Patrick's SJRT Weekend Base Camp... 4/1-4/3 Crew Leaders Training at the Willow Lodge 4/9 Sierra Foothill Conservancy McKenzie Preserve Day Trip 4/16 SJRT Day Trip planned by Fresno State Rec. Ad. students! 4/21-4/24 Earth Day SJRT Weekend Base Camp Visit www.trailcrew.org for a full list of upcoming events and to sign up. Happy trails!

Hello Crew! We are excited to announce that our trips for 2016 are posted on our website! Join us in making history as this year is planned to be the busiest year in HSVTC history. Please check out the calendar of events and plan some fun in the Sierra sun! We look forward to sharing many star filled nights and campfire stories this season. Thank you for keeping HSVTC safe, fun and productive!... Happy Trails, HSVTC Empowering volunteers to serve the needs of the forest and the community. Since 1998 http://trailcrew.org/calendar/

New post (2016 HSVTC Trip Schedule) has been published on High Sierra Volunteer Trailcrew

HSVTC Newsletter and 2016 Kickoff! Hello fellow stewards, outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers and friends! 2016 is here and HSVTC is preparing for a big year. The Annual Newsletter is hot off the press and ready for your viewing pleasure on our website!... Check out our new post for updates and announcements. We are very excited for what is sure to be a fantastic Trail Crew season. Look for upcoming events to be posted soon. Happy Trails!

Sorry about the Black trip postings, obviously we are working on our trips for 2016, didn't realize they were posting to Facebook. We will have more news on trips and activities for this year soon.

New post (1520 Courtright Base Camp) has been published on High Sierra Volunteer Trailcrew

Don't forget HSVTC has an AmazonSmile Account!

Hello Trail Crew! With Black Friday and Cyber Monday past, #GivingTuesday is here! What is Giving Tuesday? Now in its fourth year, it is a global day to kick off the season of giving to encourage and amplify small acts of kindness! In the spirit of these consumer holidays why not put HSVTC on the gift list. Please consider making a donation to help continue the legacy of our organization. Visit our Website (trailcrew.org) and click Donate (trailcrew.org/get-involved/donate/)!... Shop with Amazon using smile.amazon.com Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to HSVTC. Thanks to your generosity in 2015 we accomplished: 6 Backpacking Trips 7 Base Camp Trips 13 Day Events 393 Volunteers 9,085 Volunteer Hours $204,866.75 Value to Our Partners!

New post (2015 Mendocino Base Camp Trip Huge Success!) has been published on High Sierra Volunteer Trailcrew

New post (San Joaquin River Gorge Nature Trail Part Two) has been published on High Sierra Volunteer Trailcrew

Camp Nelson Pictures from September 17th through 20th. We had a great time and accomplished some really great work. We operated out of the Quaking Aspen camp ground and concentrated on two trails the Quaking Aspen trail, and the Summit trail. 745 feet of minor brushing and 783 feet of major brushing were completed. Rock was removed from fifty feet of trail. Twenty five (0-6), and two (24-48) trees were removed from the trail. Eighteen water bars were cleaned, five rock and two wood water bars were built. One dip was built. Six drains were built. Fifty feet of check damming was done, and one rock step was created. Ten feet of trail sluffing was removed, and thirty five feet of trail was reestablished.

New post (Cannel Meadow) has been published on High Sierra Volunteer Trailcrew

New post (2015 Mendocino Base Camp Trip coming up at the end of the month!) has been published on High Sierra Volunteer Trailcrew

Lesson of the Week: Basic Cross Cut Saw Use. Here it is! The next installment of the much anticipated weekly lesson series. The last post was a brief introduction to the history, design variations, and parts of a cross cut saw. Today basic cut preparations and saw use will be covered. Before the saw is even grabbed there needs to be one question asked, Do we need to make a cut? Although it may seem like a no brainer with a tree across the trail but sometimes after assessin...g the tree it may be rolled or pulled off the trail much more easily and safely than placing multiple cuts in difficult positions. If the answer is emphatically YES! We need the saw! Look at this thing! then wait, don’t grab the saw yet. There are multiple assessments that need to be completed before touching an axe or saw to the tree. Situational awareness is the key. There is a long list of considerations to be made to plan the cut. The escape route Slope Tension Compression Rocks and foreign objects on the log Pivot points Adequate saw clearance Overhead hazards The limits of your ability The length of the saw in relation to the log being bucked People and property in the cutting zone Spring poles Proper tool placement Falling or rolling root wads The log’s tendency to roll, slide, or bind Broken-off limbs underneath the log that can hook the sawyer if the log rolls Safe footing All of these points are elaborated on in the FS Saws that Sing publication available for download here: (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov//fs_publicat/04232822/04232822.pdf) Remember safety is paramount! If the tree is too big, too gnarly, too many uncertainties: DON’T TRY! Of course I am not trying to scare anyone away from wanting to engage with saw endeavors but everyone needs to acknowledge their limitations. With HSVTC the majority of trees we encounter are safely within our abilities and training. This is the end of the lesson. You may be asking But where is the saw use part?! My answer is that is the lesson. There are so many steps to take before you even grab and start using the saw. Patience and planning are key. Thus you will have to hold on tight until the next Lesson of the Week brought to you by HSVTC!