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Event Status: 14 spots total
Trip Closed to sign ups as of 08-25-16
Event Date: August 28th – September 3
Short Description: Golden Trout Wilderness Back Packing Trip # 1.
Trip Type: Back Packing
Long Description: This is a moderate to strenuous difficulty trip. The hike is 10 miles long starting in Sequoia National Park at 7,800 feet with a steady climb for 6.5 miles to Farewell Gap at 10,588 feet. The trail is wonderful with long switchbacks and incredible views of the Mineral King Valley. The last 3.5 miles is downhill along the headwaters of the Little Kern River to our camp area. The nature of the topography, the distance of the hike into the base camp of 10 miles, 7,800-10,500 foot elevation and the work to be performed will make this a rather strenuous trip. You are encouraged to stay over Saturday night at the trail head at Mineral King to acclimate. Please provide your own food for Saturday night and Sunday breakfast. Food will be provided Sunday lunch through Saturday lunch. Crew will hike in to work area Sunday morning and return back out to the trail head on the following Saturday afternoon.
Partners: (Who) U.S. Forest Service are sponsoring this event.
(Where) The Little Kern River in the Sequoia National Forest 2.5 hours from Fresno in the Golden Trout Wilderness.
(What) The goal of this project is to maintain 5-7 miles of the trails in the headwaters of the Little Kern River allowing the public safe and unimpeded passage. This is one of two trips to the area.
(Why) The trails have not received proper maintenance in many years and is unsafe in several areas due to erosion, overgrown vegetation and rock flows.
(How) Experienced crew leaders will lead and train volunteers in general trail maintenance techniques and safe usage of hand tools. All safety equipment for trail work will be provided, please come prepared with long pants, long sleeve shirt and boots. More detailed information will be sent to you after you sign up.
Cooking: We have employees and volunteers who cook for the trips. We ask everyone attending to help with kitchen duties on at least one meal during the trip. Cooking for 15 people in a back country setting is difficult and a lot of work. Spreading the load out among the crew is better than placing all the work on one or two people. Your support toward helping out will be appreciated!
Funding: There is no charge for this event. Week long back packing trips usually cost at least $5,000 and with 15 people participating that equals $300 per person. Please consider making a donation online or bringing a donation to the event.
Work Activities: Most trail reconstruction will consist of hand work. This will include construction of stairs, rebuilding the trail bed, construction of water bars, bucking of down trees, brushing of overgrown portions of the trail, covering and eliminating reroutes and other standard trail construction needs dictated by the lay of the trail. Materials such as rock, wood or earth will be used to construct these structures. Dead brush may be dragged to the site to help break the visual line of the path or cover reroutes.
Nearest City/Community: Three Rivers, CA
Work Location: Golden Trout Wilderness (GTW)
Forest/Other District Location: Sequoia National Forest, Western Divide Ranger District
Base Camp – Location: Little Kern River, GTW
Base Camp – GPS Coordinates: XXXX
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous 10 mile hike to get in to base camp with easy to moderate trail work.
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Meals: All meals and snacks provided.
Cost: Free