ACC Internship Paper

7/27/2019 ACC Internship Paper

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A New Beginning:

For the Paths of Chugach State Park and the Path of my Life

Tori Klotz

Forest and Wildlife Ecology 399

Coordinative Internship/Cooperative Education

Advisor Phil Townsend

9/3/13


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Yosemite National Park, 1913. Does this year ring a bell? Let me explain

myself. Simply protecting rare beauty was the original purpose of national

parks, like Yosemite, in the early 1900s (Lewis, 2005). Just outside these

parks, logging and other forms of resource extraction were supporting a high

expectation for economic growth (Lewis, 2005). Gifford Pinchot took note of

this flaw, observing that if our nation kept logging with no regeneration, our

economy would fail and the few national parks we established would hold the

only beauty left (Lewis, 2005). So, Pinchot pushed to protect these areas

outside of national parks (Lewis, 2005). Appointed head of the newly founded

Forest Service in 1905, conflicting interests arose on how to use national

forest land (Wille, 2003). Two main approaches were publicly debated (Wille,

2003). The preservationist, represented by John Muir, believed the forest was

the backbone for natures cycle and if we changed it, we would lose it (Wille,

2003). The conservationist, represented by Gifford Pinchot, believed that the

national forests should be used and conserved in a way that provided the

greatest good to the greatest number of people(Lewis, 2005). It was in 1913

in Yosemite National Park where Hetch Hetchy damn was decided to be built,

agreeing with Pinchot that conserving is the best way to cooperate with

nature. This decision in 1913 would guide the Forest Service values to the

present.


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542 square miles were transferred from Yosemite National Park to

Sierra Forest Reserve because the history of these forests were considered too

precious for extraction, if the damn were also to be built. (Lewis, 2005) The

need was to flood the valley to provide for San Fransisco (Lewis, 2005). The

conservative action plan was providing an irrigation system for a surrounding

farming community and water to a growing city. (Lewis, 2005). As a trail crew

member with the Alaska Conservation Corps within the Chugach State Park, I

have used the conservative three step approach that was used when debating

over Hetch Hetchy Valley. While preserving what we see on a beautiful trail

may be what we want to do immediately, like John Muir, I have learned that

understanding the history of a selected parcel of land, creating a plan for

public needs, and conservative action is the correct way to sustain nature and

an economy in the long run.

Thus, our crew first considered the trails history. For an 8-day work

stint, we worked on a trail called South Fork. Three years earlier, grant

money had been received to make South Fork an easier-use trail for the

public. It was late in the season when money was available, so a road

constructor was hired for the project. The only tools he had were 8 feet wide

or bigger. He began his work, blazing trail. By the end of only a few weeks,

the trail was being called the highway by local hikers, sod had been rotting


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from inappropriate machinery, and hikers were unhappy with the outcome.

With this trail history, we needed to identify the demanded future use of the

upset hikers. We had learned from our boss, Ben Corwin, that South Fork is

one of the most used trails in the area. Before we left for the trip, we decided

that the future use was for the average citizen of Anchorage, Alaska.

The next step was to create a plan for the publics need. There are two

crucial units to creating a plan. First is identifying what the citizen needs.

Second is how to keep the plan sustainable, guided by conservative values

(Birkby, 1996).

First, step one of creating the plan: deciding what the average

Anchorage hiker needed. The average Anchorage hiker needed solid tread

(Birkby, 1996). At South Fork, the trail was dug six inches down, filled with

gravel and compacted with a plate compactor approximately three miles in.

The rest of the trail was simply a footpath through deep mud and over a

boulder field. Consequently, we decided to continue

the compacted gravel trail as far as we could go for

the stint, seen in Figure 1. Also, a comfortable grade

was important for solid tread (Birkby, 1996). A

comfortable grade is usually a trail with a slight

Figure 1: Continued Gravel Tra

Diagram by Tori Klotz


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outslope to avoid water becoming entrenched (Birkby, 1996). To determine

the grade, we used a clinometer in which we could measure a percent of grade

by placing the crosshair on any feature and reading the clinometers percent

scale (Birkby, 1996). Lastly, control points were needed for solid tread

(Birkby, 1996). A control point is most definitely where the trail is going to

go. Flagging this spot in the beginning is a good practice so you dontlose

sight when actually making the trail (Birkby, 1996). Secondly, the average

citizen needed an aesthetic goal. If the end goal is out of sight or follows a

detour, the trail will most likely be cut, due to a shorter version desired.

Therefore, the trail must follow a well-designed path that can exhibit the end

aesthetic so the trail can be easily sustained over the long run.

After that had been decided, we moved to step two of creating the plan,

which is sustainability. If there is any subject to discuss when considering

sustainability, it is integrated water controls (Birkby, 1996). One method

involves water bars. This is a log or a rock bar that sits above the tread about

two inches and leads to an outlet ditch (Birkby,

1996). They are usually placed in switchbacks or

steep slopes. As seen in figure 2, a switchback is

a zig zag portion of trail where the grade is too

Figure 2: Crazy Switchbacks

Taken from http://www.steephi


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steep for comfort and water runs off (Buckley, 2004). Switchbacks and water

bars are tricky because hikers are likely to find a spot to skip over or find a

short cut (Birkby, 1996). So, placing these elements where a hiker is

discouraged to do so is crucial (Birkby, 1996). Another water control includes

turnpikes. A turnpike is when you lift trail tread above wet soil by means of

creating some sort of barrier to hold solid tread within (Buckley, 2004). For

example, rocks and logs can be placed to hold the new section of trail. These

structures are

usually combined with other

drainage methods like culverts

and ditches (Buckley, 2004).

Lastly, and the most common

water control, are grade

reversals, seen in figure 3. A

grade reversal is a water control

plan that is constructed for a new trail (Birkby, 1996). They take advantage of

natural slopes in the trail by reversing the grade for about fifteen feet and

resuming the descent (Birkby, 1996). By creating grade reversals frequently

in a trail, water is forced to sheet across the trail rather than down it, and

minimum maintenance is required compared to water bars and/or turnpikes.

Figure 3: Traditional Grade Reversal

Taken fromhttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov


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After devising a plan for the average citizen and preparing for the

sustainable trail, it is time to take action! In order to do so, a trail worker, and

may I say a forester, must be prepared to handle everything from how to flag a

trail to heavy machinery. I was able to do

many of these things, and many of the things

in between! The three most interesting tools

of action were the grip hoist, the chainsaw,

and the knowledge of felling a tree.

The grip hoist was on one of the first

days of training when learning of mechanical

advantage. This tool is used to move objects

weighing even over 2000 lbs. (Birkby, 1996).

Ona trail called Middle Fork, we

disassembled a bridge made of recycled light

poles to be used again, as seen in figure 4. We needed the grip hoist to move

the poles uphill to be dragged out with snowmobiles later this year. To use

this form of mechanical advantage, you need a stable anchor to tie the anchor

rope (Birkby, 1996). Then, all you need is to tie the object with rope and

attach the grip hoist line to this rope and reel the object wherever desired

(Birkby, 1996).

Figure 4: Grip Hoist in Action



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Secondly, we were also trained to handle a chainsaw, as seen in figure 6.

In our week training session, we were taught maintenance, safety, and how to

handle a chainsaw. Within maintenance, I

am knowledgeable on how to take apart,

clean, sharpen rakers, change a chain,

check for damage, change oil and gas

properly, and put the saw back together.

It is also important to know that each

chainsaw should have certain safety

aspects (Birkby, 1996). For example,

each one of our chainsaws had an anti-

vibration system that limited the

movement of a chainsaw while in use, a

chain break for any backward movement

that could harm me, and a chain catcher if the chain ever broke. Within the

handling training, I learned to start at full choke and give one pull on the pull

chord. When it made a gurgling sound, I could move the lever to half choke.

Here, the chainsaw would run fully and then I would need to change the lever

to idle, which means it is ready to properly run. While running the chainsaw, it

is important to keep the chain break on whenever moving away from your

Figure 5: Handling a Chainsaw



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work site and to always have a spotter to keep an eye out for dangerous

debris (Birkby, 1996).

Lastly, and probably most relevant to a Forest Science major, each of us

were given the opportunity to fell a tree. It took me an hour to completely fell

the tree because you need to process the seriousness and danger of felling a

tree. First came the initial survey of a tree. This includes checking for lean of

a tree, hollowness, rot, and planning two escape routes 45 degrees behind the

trees direction of fall (Pack, 1922). You should also clear the area of

potentially interfering brush and limb the lower trunk so you dont run into

any distractions while cutting the trunk. The first step that includes using the

chainsaw is making the gunner cut or otherwise called the undercut (Pack,

1922). This cut should be approximately 1/3 of the trees width, exactly

horizontal to the ground, at a comfortable cutting height for your body, and

facing the direction you want the tree to fall (Pack, 1922). Next is making the

face cut complete by cutting the top, directional cut, to ultimately make a pie

shaped piece (Birkby, 1996). It is very important that the two cuts meet

exactly so that you avoid what is called a dutchman (Birkby, 1996). A

dutchman is when there is extra space in the angle of cut, allowing the tree to

fall in an unexpected direction (Pack, 1922). Lastly, is the felling cut. This cut

is in the back of the tree, approximately two inches above the horizontal,


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directional cut. (Birkby, 1996) You need to leave about 3cm left in the tree.

This is the hinge wood that holds the tree in the direction of fall, as seen in

figure 6(Birkby, 1996). When you follow through with the felling cut, make

sure to use your escape routes when there is movement in the tree and move

immediately. Tah-dah! You have fell a tree.

In conclusion, writing about my summer in one, twelve-page paper is an

impossible task. I could go on and on about all the hand tools I have used and

learned to take care of. I could have also tried to include silly and slightly

scary bear stories, river crossing stories, and stories of long, hot days at work.

But what is most important is that

in my heart, I know that

conservation work is fulfilling and a

definite career choice.. Throughout

the summer I have lived by

conservation values and plan to live

like this the rest of my life. Perhaps

Theodore Roosevelt summed up the precise words that I have come to

understand. A people without children would face a hopeless future; a

country without trees is almost as helpless; forest which are so used that they

cannot renew themselves will soon vanish, and with them all their benefits.

Figure 6: Importance of Hinge Wood



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When you help to conserve our forests or plant new ones you are acting the

part of good citizens.


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Bibliography

Birkby, Robert.Lightly on the Land: The SCA Trail-building and

Maintenance Manual. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers, 1996. Print.

Buckley, Ralf.Environmental Impacts of Ecotourism. Wallingford, Oxon, UK:

CABI Pub., 2004. Print.

Lewis, James G. The Forest Service and the Greatest Good: A Centennial

History. Durham, NC: Forest History Society, 2005. Print.

Pack, Charles Lathrop. The School Book of Forestry,. Washington, D.C.:

American Tree Association, 1922. Print.

Wille, Christopher M. Opportunities in Forestry Careers. Chicago: VGM

Career, 2004. Print.

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