Dripping Springs Trail Maintenance

I left the house early on Saturday morning to meet Fred on the north side of Cleveland National Forest, on Dripping Springs trail for a trail maintenance camping trip.  He arrived on Friday morning and left blue flagging for those of us who were part of the trail crew.  

It is a beautiful hike.  The views of Temecula are incredible.  

One website reviewed the trail as "the best cardiovascular workout close to Fallbrook and Temecula".  

After reaching the campsite I dropped off my gear and then continued on the trail practically weightless for about 3 more miles to meet Fred and the rest of the crew that had already arrived.  

It was a total of 3,200 feet elevation gain before I found Fred, and we got right to work.  We cleaned up the trail so that it was walk-able but still appeared to be in the wilderness.  

Fred has to return with a crosscut saw to clear this tree from the trail.  

After a hard day of work we ate dinner, had some drinks, watched the sunset...

and enjoyed our surroundings.  

Our campsite for the weekend.  

Fred's trail maintenance crew.  

I look forward to exploring more of the Agua Tibia.  Camping in the wilderness reminds me what camping is all about.  Campsites are convenient but there is nothing like taking advantage of the Wilderness Act of 1964.  The Wilderness Act was designed "[i]n order to assure that an increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization, does not occupy and modify all areas within the United States and its possessions, leaving no lands designated for preservation and protection in their national condition, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the Congress to secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness".  Thankfully someone had the foresight to protect these lands, and that we are able to enjoy them.