Sierra National Forest 2015 Wilderness Program Accomplishment Report The Sierra National Forest wilderness program provided stewardship and trail maintenance in the Ansel Adams, Dinkey Lakes, John Muir, Kaiser, and Monarch wildernesses in 2015. Forest resources were used to leverage extensive volunteer contributions, grant funding, and partnerships. While significant, accomplishments were less than in 2014 due to fewer seasonal rangers and staff time committed to the Rough Fire. This experience has definitely changed me. It has given me experience working with different kinds of people, and especially working in strenuous situations with people. This experience pushed me emotionally and physically, and I am so much stronger now because of it. I m more confident, both with my wilderness skills as well as with myself in general. I was really able to see what I am capable of, and I m proud of myself for accomplishing everything we did this summer. -Lindsay Ryan 2015 Wilderness Ranger Intern Major Projects Completed Recruited and trained ten wilderness ranger interns. Interns participated in all aspects of wilderness ranger work under the supervision of their crew leaders. Interns contributed 5,648 hours of volunteer labor and training time. Four interns were supported by a partnership with Outward Bound California, National Forest Foundation, and the Sierra NF. One intern was sponsored by Friends of the Inyo. Partnered with the Kaiser Wilderness Foundation, Friends of the Inyo, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Sierra Club, Wilderness Corps, Backcountry Horsemen, WildLink, Outward Bound California, and High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew to conduct campsite restoration, sign replacement and trail maintenance projects. 113 people contributed 1,549 volunteer hours. Continued implementation of the 2008 Order for Injunctive Relief and 2001 Sierra Wilderness Management Plan including revision of campfire closure areas, monitoring campsite occupancy levels, monitoring meadow grazing conditions, and conducting outfitter/guide field inspections. Provided wilderness awareness and Leave No Trace education to Ayer Elementary students, Summit Adventure staff, SNF fire module leaders, PCT kickoff participants, High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew leaders, Outward Bound students and Regional Wilderness Ranger Academy attendees reaching 415 people. Contacted 4,332 wilderness visitors in the field providing information on Leave No Trace methods and wilderness stewardship Completed replacement of all missing and broken signs in the Kaiser Wilderness in partnership with the Kaiser Wilderness Foundation. Cleared 361 miles of wilderness trails using traditional tools.
Maintained wilderness information signs at 45 trailheads including newly designed posters. Continued the removal by stock of 1.3 miles of abandoned barb wire fence across Rock Meadow, Dinkey Lakes Wilderness. Completed basic trail maintenance in several locations including repairing a landslide in Piute Canyon, replacing rotten puncheon on Mono Creek, and drainage improvements on the Crown Pass trail. Provided wilderness resource advising, stock support, mounted trail patrol, and trail damage repair for the Rough Fire. Provided wilderness resource advising on the Lake Fire (San Gorgonio Wilderness) and River Complex (Trinity Alps Wilderness). Summary Statistics Visitor Education Overnight Parties Contacted 1,356 Overnight Individuals Contacted 3,783 Day Hikers Contacted 549 Outfitter/Guide Groups Contacted 14 Verbal Warnings/Written Warnings 93/15 Violation Notices 16 Campsite Impact Management Campsites Removed 324 Campsites Contained 230 Trash Removed 1,101 lbs Lakes with All Illegal Sites Removed 62 Resource Monitoring Benchmark Meadows Monitored 7 Areas Monitored for Campsite 16 Occupancy Levels Trail Segments Monitored for 2 Areas with Revised Campfire Closures 38 Solitude Implemented Trail Maintenance Waterbars Cleaned 484 Drain Dips Cleaned 138 Waterbars Repaired 1 Drain Dips Constructed 89 Waterbars Constructed 8 User Trail Rehab 2.0 mi Trail Rock Removal 12.3 mi Trail Brush Clearing 5.9 mi Trees Cut <4 Diameter 4,151 Trees Cut >4 Diameter 1,106 Miles of Trail Cleared 361 mi Sign Maintenance Signs Maintained 213 Signs Installed/Replaced 45 Patrol Area Coverage Miles Hiked 5,072 mi Miles Ridden 665 mi Percent of Wilderness Trails Patrolled Total Contribution by 123 Volunteers 61% Volunteers 7,197 hrs Value $159,342 Page 2 of 7
Project Pictures Interns Lindsay and Collin packing loads for Lead Ranger Micki and the Wishon mule string Brushing the Blue Canyon trail: before and after Rock Meadow fence removal Page 3 of 7
Restoration of campsites within 100 of water Puncheon bridge repair on Mono Creek New trailhead posters and trail junction signs Page 4 of 7
Trail clearing: still smiling 1,100 trees later Piute trail landslide: before and after maintenance Rough Fire: Crown Valley trail repair and wilderness resource advising Page 5 of 7
Projects with Partners Outward Bound California Friends of the Inyo Sierra Club Backcountry Horsemen WildLink Wilderness Corps Page 6 of 7
Kaiser Wilderness Foundation Pacific Crest Trail Association Sierra National Forest Wilderness Crew 2015 Nick, Jake, Collin, Adam, Mike, Paulina, Bill, Scott, Brett, Greg Micki, Lindsay, Gregg, Mack, Louie, Katie, Tim, Ali, Trystyn, Bridget (Not shown: Michael) Page 7 of 7