The Trail Crew recently finished work on Lavezzola Creek Trail. This trail restoration project was funded through the Sierra County Resource Advisory Committee and was aimed at reducing erosion, protecting against watershed contamination, creating local employment and enhancing sustainable recreation in the Downieville area. Lavezzola Creek Trail is part of the historic Downieville Trail System and was heavily used by miners and mules during the Gold Rush to access the neighboring community of Johnsville and several mining sites along the creek. Today the trail is used primarily by motorcycle and mountain bike riders and is an economic resource for the recreation-based towns of Downieville, Sierra City and Graeagle.
The Trail Crew will spend the remaining part of October working on Craycroft Ridge Trail, another Downieville Gold Rush era trail. Craycroft provides access from Downieville to the spectacular Chimney Rock Trail and the town site of Poker Flat. Craycroft is receiving a grade reduction and sectional reroute, which will make it much more sustainable and enjoyable for users. The work being done is top-notch and something we can all be proud of. I highly recommend getting out on two wheels to scope the trail and Fall colors. Here are some photos to tempt you. Read More »
SBTS would like to make a formal announcement that Metal Mike, aka Mike Haire, has been inducted into the SBTS Hall of Fame. What is the Hall of Fame you ask? It's a special place(and page on our site) for volunteers who have consistently gone above and beyond for the Stewardship, giving countless selfless hours to build trail and more. Metal Mike has not only been a consistent volunteer since the beginning, but goes the extra mile by supervising new volunteers on the trail, helping provide DJ tunes for night time party time, performing as MC at our Epic Raffles, and bringing up all his AV equipment to make sure that our parties are not only well stocked with beer, but well equipped with Dancefloor readiness. Metal, all of us here at SBTS want to say a huge thanks for all you do, and for always take one for the team .... like that time you drove shuttles in 2006 the day we opened Sunrise Trail. Your efforts do not go un-noticed. Thanks again, and welcome to the Hall of Fame.
With the number of events SBTS has going this month it was a pleasant surprise to have 23 volunteers turn out for the October 10th Double Duty weekend. 15 people made their way to the top of Packer Saddle to lend a hand to Joe Smailes and help keep his property fire safe and his trees healthy. Joe is the stand up guy that allowed SBTS to construct the Sunrise Trail, which is now the start of the world famous Downieville Downhill. Volunteers piled brush and created burn piles that will be torched now that the rains have come and fire restrictions have been lifted. The remaining 8 volunteers helped out on Mills Peak Trail, a 7 mile multiple use trail located in the Plumas National Forest. This new trail will connect the community of Graeagle with the Lakes Basin Recreation Area and is a crucial link in the proposed Mohawk Trail System. Volunteers worked ahead of the mini excavator clearing the trail corridor for more than a quarter mile, bringing new trail construction to 2 miles. We still have a lot to do to complete this trail, but momentum is building and funding keeps trickling in. We hope to have this trail completed by 2011, with work continuing to complete the Mohawk Trail System sometime around 2015.
On October 1st, 8 members of the SBTS joined up with a half a dozen Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) volunteers along with a Crew Leader to repair and improve the section of trail located immediately south of Highway 49. In addition to tread and switchback improvements, a stream crossing was repaired. The crossing repair was led by SBTS Crew member Henry O'Donnell along with lots of help from Van-O, Todd, and Troy. Thanks to the PCTA for organizing the day and we look forward to restoring other sections of this fine hiking trail.
We're teaming up with the IMBA crew to do some top notch maintenance on the Divides, making the Downieville Downhill ready for winter.
Don't miss you chance to participate with the combined trail expertise of IMBA and SBTS. This is the first time in almost 10 years that IMBA has come back to work with us and we're excited to show off our latest progress.
Saturday:
9:30-12 - Classroom Session (meet at Yuba Expeditions)
12-1:30 - Lunch
1:30 - 4 - Field Session
6pm - ? - Volunteer dinner & Halloween Party (bring a costume)
Sunday:
Casual Group Rides
Logistics: We provide the tools and the lunch, you bring yourself, layers, a backpack, and work gloves. 20% chance of rain, so bring a rain jacket just in case.
We will be working on the First and Third Divide, creating rolling dips and drainage, making the trail winter ready.
We're teaming up with the IMBA crew to do some top notch maintenance on the Divides, making the Downieville Downhill ready for winter. 
