Backbone of Big Bear
It seemed impossible but the weather on Big Bear Mountain was even better today than yesterday, with light southern winds, warm autumn sunshine and an unbeatable view. We had three volunteers again today: myself, Dan Watson and Chuck Dumas. We completed grooming another 650 feet of new trail, and the lead team of machine operators from Progressive Trail Design pushed forward another 1/3 of a mile.
We were working in a very tough area of large rock formations, just a 150 feet below the crest of the mountain, that challenged our ability to establish a smooth tread.
During lunch break, we climbed up to the crest for a double view of both the southern and northern slopes of Big Bear Mountain. The crest is one long spine of ancient stone laced with veins of white quartz. This spine of rock looks for all the world like an ancient skeletal backbone of some prehistoric beast. The panoramic view of the deep valley between Big and Little Bear Mountains in its coat of many colors was a treat to the senses. The view to the north of the arctic blue waters of the lake, with each island trimmed by a golden shoreline, made the steep, rocky climb to the crest well worth the effort.
A special word of thanks to Captain Dan for safely navigating our large work barge up into Little Bear Creek, where we moor to a tree and unload our equipment each morning for the two and half mile trek up to our work site.
We will be back on the trail tomorrow rallying at the Crystal Springs Marina at 9:00 am. The forecast for tomorrow is for much the same glorious weather which help us extend the finished trail in ideal conditions.
Thanks,
Jerry