04/18/2021
Happily finished up a satellite area we've been working on since the winter. This one is away from the other major infestations we've been hitting regularly. Lot of focused work in a concentrated area with beautiful plant life and diversity. Unfortunately there is also an abundance of poison oak mostly concentrated by the trail. Not much further down making it much easier to work.
The photos are before and 30 minutes later. Anyway, good workout. Was totally drenched by noon and out of there.
Unexpectedly ran into some grandfather/mothers so large even the bigger tool might not have helped. The smaller one in the picture, no way. Ended up cutting all the major root connections leaving stump. Should take care of it hopefully.
Off-Trail Hiking
Here is the issue... Mature broom stands form right where there are old, historic, or current but very seldom used social trails. Having seen this same pattern so often now in different parts of the county, there is no doubt whatsoever that off-trailing is a cause of invasive spread. With the terrain, creek proximity and soil richness, it is especially true here in this canyon area.
Off-trail hiking has impacts that are not always obvious.
Beyond the erosion it can sometimes cause and the trampling of rare plants hikers don't even realize they are stepping on. The larger issue is (unintended) habitat destruction. Off-trail enthusiasts need to be educated that yes, they are cause of invasive spread bringing broom seeds attached to their clothes, boots and dogs. In this part of the country, french broom is a take-no-prisoners type invasive. It makes it very difficult to eradicate these infestations. What begins as a plant here or there eventually overtakes natives and strangles it all.
I am not totally discouraging all off-trail experiences. There are places where the activity may not cause appreciable impact, depending on the sensitivity with which it is approached. In most cases, we need to stick to system trails to minimize impacts we don't even realize we are causing. This is assuming we are all out there because we love nature and want, in most cases, see it protected from harm.
Little things add up over time. Land managers everywhere are having this exact problem to deal with. Redwoods, for example have a shallow root system. Among of the most damaging activities is soil compaction from many feet over time. It additionally destroys accompanying plant life.
Muir Woods with about 750k visitors per year resolved the issue a few years ago by installing a raised walkway among a lot of other impressive ongoing work to protect their first-growth redwood groves and coho salmon habitat.
With the COVID phenomenon, more people are out than ever before. That's healthy, that's good. Even as the pandemic begins to fade these new habits will stick with a lot of people. But the impacts are becoming clear. There is a need for greater education so, as the saying goes, we do not end up loving our parks to death. If you made it this far, thanks for reading. : )
