V-O-Cal - Las Trampas 2010

Las Trampas Regional Wilderness
East Bay Regional Park District
July 23-25, 2010

Please review the Project Fact Sheet before you arrive

View a project flyer to post at your work, local coffee shop, or forward to friends.

Project Background
The Las Trampas Regional Wilderness is an amazing place just minutes away from San Ramon. At the end of Bollinger Canyon Rd, this park is characterized by steep hills and terrific ridge line views of both Mt Diablo and San Francisco and the entire Bay. This project is perfect for V-O-Cal because our weekend-long, full-day approach with lots of volunteers gives us time to get to the more remote trails and get a significant amount of work done.

Trail Description
V-O-Cal volunteers will perform extensive trail maintenance on the Sycamore Trail, a remote hiker-only trail in the middle of the park. We will start and end each day with a strenuous 2 mile hike (steep hills, so you will definitely get your cardio workshop in!) The combination of its remoteness and the wet spring have caused the trail to become badly overgrown, so we will be clearing brush, re-establishing the trail "bench" and moving the brush out to prevent it becoming a fire hazard.

There are only a couple of spots along this trail that have much poison oak, so if you are particularly sensitive, we can definitely find a spot for you that will limit your exposure.

Level of Effort
Hiking: strenuous
Manual Labor: mixed

If you are up for a good hike but aren't so sure about the heavy lifting, this is a great project for you because we will need groups who are entirely committed to moving brush - pretty light work on the manual labor side, but a lot of hiking!

Camp
Camping is open to volunteers Friday and Saturday nights. Food is also provided for volunteers from breakfast Saturday through lunch Sunday. While camping is optional and participants are able to participate for one day, this will be a unique opportunity to relax after the work day and camp in a festive atmosphere with other volunteers.
We will be camping at the Corral Camp.

Carpooling, Public transportation and Parking
We encourage participants to carpool. If you need a ride, or have space in your car, please try and carpool. The closest public transportation is the Castro Valley BART station and we will do our best to have some options to get you from there to the project site itself.

Driving Directions

Schedule
Friday
5pm - Registration and camping opens at Corral Camp
Saturday
7:30am - Registration, light breakfast, and lunch prep begin.
8am - Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk. Project begins.
12:30pm - Break for lunch on trail.
3:30pm - Head back to camp.
4pm - Drinks, appetizers and socializing. Showers available.
6:15pm - Dinner and entertainment.
Sunday
8am - Registration, hot breakfast, and lunch prep.
8:30am - Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk. Project begins.
11:30am - Break for lunch on trail.
1:30pm - Head back to camp to pack gear and truck.
2pm - Celebrate the work and say goodbyes.

What to bring and wear
For your safety and protection from hazards, please be prepared with the following items:
-Water, sun hat, and sunscreen. You will not be allowed on the trail without a water container.

Plates, utensils, coffee mug and a cup.

Work Gloves (if you do not have work gloves V-O-Cal can provide a pair to use).

Sturdy shoes or books with tread. Working in sandals or open-toed shoes will not be permitted.

Day pack to carry water and lunch.

Sunglasses.

Insect repellent, allergy medicine, etc.

A change of clothes for each work day and for lounging at camp to minimize the spread of poison oak.

IF CAMPING: bring a tent, sleeping bag, folding chair, flashlight, and other camping gear. A coffee mug is also necessary. Also bring a change of clothes.

Meals
V-O-Cal provides all meals for volunteers from breakfast Saturday through lunch Sunday. Vegetarian options are available for all meals.

Please bring your own reusable plates, coffee mug, cups and utensils. To minimize waste from our projects, we ask that you bring your own dishes. Hot water and soap are provided.

A continental breakfast is served Saturday morning.

Lunch is prepared before hitting the trails. You break for lunch on the trail around 12:30.

Please arrive at camp by 7:40am to register, eat breakfast and prepare your lunch.

Appetizers and beverages will be available at 4pm after the work day on Saturday. Dinner will follow at 6:15pm.

Hot breakfast is served Sunday.

Hazards
HYDRATION/SUN EXPOSURE: The work site is exposed and it may be HOT. Wear a sun hat! Please drink plenty of water throughout the work day. If you feel tired or weak, let your crew leader know and take a break.
POISON OAK: There is a risk of exposure to poison oak at at the work site. Have your crew leader point some out to you if you don’t know what it looks like. Clean with Tecnu after the workday and be cautious when handling your dirty clothes.
SNAKES: Snakes are present on the property. Use caution when walking the trails and when picking items up off the ground.
TICKS: Ticks are always a hazard so it is important to check during and after the project.
SHARP TOOLS: Please listen to your crew leaders tool safety talk and observe proper tool use throughout the day.

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