Bear Mountain Construction – Jan. 23, 2012 – A View To Remember
Beautiful January weather and a crew of seven made for a great day on the trail. Those of us who started on this trail seven years ago have often talked of what we thought the trail on Big Bear Mountain would be like. We were afraid that the foliage would block the view or that the terrain would be to steep but neither has occurred. The views from the mountain are just amazing as we keep pushing the trail east just below the summit of Big Bear Mt.
Today we could clearly see Bird Island directly north of where we were working. At this elevation it clear how the USACE chose this valley to create this beautiful lake. The Lake sits between two ridges of low mountains that make a perfect bowl, without levis, that allowed the lake to form once the dam was in place. We continue to be amazed at how consistent the mountain face is making the trail construction so much easier without having to constantly find ways around deep valleys and steep drainages.
The new tread is excellent with a great deal of red clay that once it is packed will provide a very smooth durable trail. We are planning another work day tomorrow starting at 8:30 and again meeting at the Crystal Springs Café parking lot where we will load into the boat to be ferried across to where we moor at the base of the mountain. It is almost an hour hike up the mountain to our construction site but as you reach the summit which is about half way you begin see why we built this sections as the mountain falls away revealing the beauty of Lake Ouachita.
Pack a trail lunch and plenty of fluids and join us tomorrow as the weather looks very good. Attached are photos from today’s adventure.
Jerry