Though the cliché is the enemy of originality, they often develop because there are nuggets of truth in there. In this case, “Time flies when you’re having fun,” has proven to be the apt descriptor of our summer season of stewardship thus far.
We kicked things off at the 10th Annual June Lake Trails Day, where 65 volunteers came out to take care of the Rush Creek & Parker Bench Trails, and clean up around Gull and June Lakes. What a great day!
The next weekend, we partnered with the Sierra Eastside Mountain Bike Association (SEMBA) to brush the Lower Rock Creek Trail, between Tom’s Place and Paradise.
After a week off for the holiday, we reconvened at Bridgeport Trails Day, where we were able to cut a quartet of logs out from the Robinson Creek Trail. As we were in Wilderness, we got to use a crosscut saw, which in and of itself is a surefire way to put a smile on my face.
Last (but certainly not least), this past weekend was our Rock Creek Lake Clean-Up, where we picked up fifty-five pounds of trash from around Rock Creek Lake (including 4 tote bags filled with fishing line).
And of course, our Trail Ambassadors have been out on the high country trails clearing them of debris and obstructions, interacting with the public, and leading some amazing interpretive hikes. Our Stewardship Crew has also been hard at work, heading to remote locales, doing Off-Highway Vehicle restoration work.
If reading all of this fun gave you FOMO (fear of missing out), do not worry, we’ve got another two months of opportunities to get out and give back to the lands you love!
- Sierra National Forest Wilderness Week – Aug 7-11 – Be one of 7 lucky volunteers who get to spend a week at Iva Bell Hot Springs doing campsite restoration! E-mail alex@friendsoftheinyo.org to sign up.
- Owens River Water Trail Work Weekend – Aug 10 & 11 – Join us as we get in the cool waters of the Owens River to clear Tules from the river channel. Limited to 20 volunteers. E-mail alex@friendsoftheinyo.org to sign up.
- Rock Creek Lakes Clean-up – Aug 24
- South Lake Clean-up – Sept 7
- Bodie Hills Stewardship Day – Sept 21
- National Public Lands Day w/ Eastern Sierra 4WD Club – Sept 28
Finally, a huge thank you to all the organizations, business, and agencies that make these events possible with their support:
Inyo National Forest, Bureau of Land Management – Bishop Field Office, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Mono County, Mammoth Lakes Recreation, Rock Creek Lakes Resort, Great Basin Bakery, Patagonia, Crowley Lake General Store, June Lake Trails Committee, June Lake Brewing, Twin Lakes Resort, and Sierra Eastside Mountain Bike Association.