Trail Improvements on Little Bear Mountain – Feb. 24, 2013
Al Gathright I hiked up on Little Bear Mountain today to install a bench sponsor’s plaque.
It was a crisp February day, just perfect for a nice hike. The skies were a sharp blue background for the emerald green hills around the Crystal Springs Bay area. Some early blue wild flowers are already blooming along the edges of the trail with a promise of more to come.
We met four hikers who were also enjoying the trail, with one set having hike the entire 11 miles from the Brady Mountain Road entrance to the Crystal Springs trailhead.
Unfortunately we observed several ATV’s illegally driving just south of Little Bear Mountain and two more on the south slope of Bear Mountain. There was also evidence that ATV’s have been utilizing the Little Bear Mountain portion of the trail by removing one of the barriers at the bottom of the switchbacks.
A big thanks to the Corps of Engineers for installing the trail crossing signs on the Crystal Springs crossing and for reworking the two boulder crossings that were damaged by the flood of two years ago.
We are planning a work day on Wednesday, Feb 27, at 9:30 am. We will be installing a bench on Bear Mountain (the “seventh section”) and a directional sign at the Brady Mountain Road entrance to the trail. There also two downed trees blocking the trail on Little Bear Mountain that need removal.