2024
APRIL
April 27th – Spring Wildflower Walk: Oak Canyon Community Park
On a calm sunny spring morning, six hikers met at 9:00 AM at Oak Canyon Community Park. We started the walk on a paved service path, in a traditional park setting with manicured grass on one side of the path and a mix of native and domestic shrubs on the other side of the path. Our first flowering shrub identified was Sugar Bush (1 & 3). As we proceeded down the path, in friendly conversation, the next flowering shrubs we saw were Flannel Bush (2 & 7), Black Sage (4), California Bush Sunflower (5) and Greenbark Ceanothus (6). Along the way, while leaving the traditional park setting behind, where both sides of the path changed to a natural setting, we identified, Owl’s Clover (8) and Purple Nightshade (10) and not to mention a dead tree bearing rocks (9). There was one rare plant identified, in the wake of the tree bearing rocks, a native plant on the federal endangered species list, Braunton’s Milk-Vetch (11 & 12). A short stretch of the path we passed through was thick on both sides with Australian Golden Wreath Wattle (13). Shortly after, we encountered California buckwheat (14 & 17), a small patch of whispering bells (15) and some California Yerba Santa (16). We left the paved path going west on a narrow dirt road where there were other flowering plants pointed out such as Italian Thistle (18), Scarlet Pimpernel (19 & 20) and Fiddle Neck (20). Soon we were back to the Community park where there were people enjoying the beautiful California morning.
April 20th – Work Party: Mt. McCoy
Thirteen volunteers met at the western end of Washburn Street at the Mt. McCoy trailhead. On a perfect overcast morning, we reviewed the safety guidelines and picked out our tools. One volunteer chose a power string trimmer (weed whacker) and one volunteer used a gas powered hedge trimmer. The others chose shovels, loppers, a pick mattock and leaf rakes. We cleared the edges of the trail from heavily sprouting mustard and brush overgrowth. The volunteers cleared the trail to a good 4 ft. width, more than halfway to the top (.5 miles). Part of the trail needed shoring up to prevent side sloping due to erosion. One person, earlier in the week, volunteered to haul a 2”x12”x8’ plank half way up the trail. We didn’t get around to installing it. Thank you so much for a super incredible job to; Ian Nelson, Millie Plisley, Nicole Jordan, Keri Nelson, Tamara McIntyre, Marie-France Bauer, Norman Liss, Paulette Kawasaki, Raquel Margo, Kurt Kawasaki, Paul Friedeborn, Mike Kuhn and Martin DeGoey.
April 6th – Spring Wildflower Walk: Mt. McCoy Trail
It was an incredibly nice spring morning where six hikers met at 9:00 AM at the Donut Delite, located at the northeast side of the Royal Avenue and Madera Road intersection. We made our way, walking on the sidewalk, to the trail’s trailhead at the corner of Washburn and Los Amigos Ave. There a group picture was taken. The first flower we identified at the beginning of the hike was long-beaked stork’s bill. Then we pasted a grove of prickly pear. As we continued up the trail’s many switchbacks, we began identifying more and more wildflowers; bush sunflower, golden yarrow, purple nightshade, fuchsia-flowered gooseberry. Stopping for a moment we saw a western fence lizard. As we continued up the trail, among the various sages that had not bloomed yet, there was one little caterpillar Phacelia, a lot of golden leaf mountain mahogany, some soap plant, (long slender leaves, no flower). Once we hiked to the more arid upper portion of the trail we saw a lot of goldfields, deer weed, Catalina mariposa lilies and California buckwheat. Then nearly at the top, there was wild onion, California poppy and owl’s clover. On the way down there was some blue-eyed grass that the flowers had opened as the day grew warmer. We had a wonderful morning just being outside and meeting old and new friends. Thank you Mike Kuhn, RSTB and Rancho Simi Recreation and Parks District.
MARCH
March 16th – Work Party: Lower Stagecoach Trail
Nine volunteers gathered near the picnic area at Corriganville Park on a calm and sunny morning. We reviewed safety guidelines, the tools we would be using, and outlined our objective. We started at the beginning of the Lower Stagecoach trail, Corriganville Trails (rsrpd.org). We used Pick Mattocks, shovels and McLeods, for filling in ruts, clearing and creating water bars (drain dips). The soil conditions were perfect. Thanks and appreciation goes to Boy Scout Troop 605 Jim Ratto, Nathin Ratto, R Wietney, Parler Bedford, Aarron Wietney, Mike Kuhn, and Martin DeGoey.
FEBRUARY
February 17th – Work Party: Hummingbird Creek Trail
There were six volunteers participating in the February work party, at the Hummingbird Creek Trail. It was a very productive morning, filling in ruts, clearing and creating water bars (drain dips). One volunteer used a Weed Wacker and loppers to clear overgrowth from the trail and he cut down a bunch of Arundo. It was a perfect day for working on the trail. The weather and the ground conditions couldn’t have been better. Appreciations go to Paul Friedeborn, Geneen Garcia, Monty Gonzales, Mason Gonzales, Mike Kuhn, and Martin DeGoey.
JANUARY
January 27th – Work Party: Long Canyon
On a slightly breezy morning, three volunteers participated in the January work party at the Long Canyon Trail. We did some weed whacking and clearing growth along the trail. We filled in ruts, cleared and created water bars (drain dips). It was a good day for trail work, the ground conditions were perfect. Appreciations go to Paul Friedeborn, Mike Kuhn, and Martin DeGoey.