Hwy 21 to Russell Mtn

[TaumSaukMtn]

I intended to do a short out-and-back to the top of Russell Mtn Friday and discovered a couple major blowdowns since my last visit. There is a tangle of trees across the trail about a mile from the Hwy 21 trailhead, enough to discourage a longer hike in the 97 degree heat.

This is one of my favorite sections and I forget between hikes how much damage the derecho caused here. This time I found short sections entirely over-grown; looks like it's getting used less than in past years.

I would do some lopping on this trail, but it needs a saw too.

[ToddH]

Thanks for letting us know. I may make it down that way with a saw sometime in August if the heat lets up a little.

Todd Horn

[Ed Kindley]

Hi Tony:
thanks for the post, we now have an OT sawyer who plans to saw it on Aug. 21st
if all goes well. In the meantime, PLEASE go ahead with some general maintenance
(lopping, trimming back tread growth, etc.) as the regular adopter is out for the
summer. That will also give our sawyer a clearer shot at getting to the blowdown
that you reported. Again, Thanks! Ed

[TaumSaukMtn]

I cleared about 3/4 mile from the Th today, to where the trail starts back up the ridge after it follows the creek bottom. There is one blowdown in that section; the next is about a quarter mile up the trail from where I stopped. Hot.

[TaumSaukMtn]

This morning I cleared the trail from the Russel Mtn trail head down the spur and 2 1/4 miles south. This is all but about a hundred yards of trail between the Russel Mtn Spur sign and the Hwy 21 trail head. In this section there are only two serious blowdowns but a lot of widowmakers.

I'd help clear the rest of this section (from Taum Sauk trail head south) if someone wants to contribute another car so we can shuttle the distance.