90 



Sierra Club Bulletin 



Supplies. Formal bids on all supplies and materials needed in con- 

 nection with the job were obtained prior to start of work, and supplies 

 were purchased in accordance with the specifications of the accepted 

 bid. The tools, equipment, etc., were, upon completion of the season's 

 work, cached in safe places convenient to the start of work for another 

 year. The food supplies were practically all consumed. 



Trail Specifications. Tread, 30 inches minimum width. Plenty of 

 turnouts provided in dangerous places. Grade in no case except under 

 extraordinary conditions exceeding 15 per cent. The exceptions so far as 

 noted were extremely few. 



Where grading work was done, ample clearance for packs was made 

 in cuts, and in timber country six feet clearance between trees was ob- 

 tained. Trail was placed, so far as possible, out of the way of slides, in 

 order to decrease cost of up-keep. 



Monuments or trail blazes were placed close together, in no case more 

 than the distance of a chain apart. Generally all prominent trees along 

 the trail were blazed, the standard blaze of the Forest Service, which 

 consists of one long blaze with a notch above it, being used. In the 

 country above timber-line, monuments of large size were placed. Boggy 

 ground was avoided as far as possible. Sufficient overhead brushing was 

 done to allow of clearance of rider on horse of average height. Care 

 was taken where trail traversed slick rock to chink crevices closely. 



Powder. The powder used on the Middle Fork of Kings River unit 

 was Hercules 40 per cent; that on the Muir Pass-French Cafion unit 

 was Trojan 40 per cent. Next year it is planned to use 60 per cent pow- 

 der in the hard-rock work. 



Bridges. One bridge, that across the mouth of French Cafion, was 

 built. This bridge is one of the most important features of the entire 

 project. 



Recommendations. It is recommended that if we continue to work 

 another year, we be notified at the start of the work of any overhead 

 to be charged against the season's allotment by the State Engineer's 

 office. 



It is also recommended that all checks for labor be sent to the ad- 

 dresses of the individuals listed on the payrolls, or if this is not feas- 

 ible, to the Forest Supervisor at his official address. This year checks 

 were sent in one instance in care of the man who happened to have 

 signed the payroll as acting supervisor. He was on leave, and delivery 

 of the checks was delayed until the rangers felt it wise to avoid the 

 neighborhood of the men who had money coming to them. In a sense 

 the Forest Service, in having field charge of the work, is looked to for 

 payment, and delay therefore is blamed to the field officers. This is not 

 fair and can be avoided next year by following the above recommenda- 

 tion. 



We shall keep in mind the State Engineer's suggestion of obtaining 

 outfits from the east side of the mountains. The feasibility of this is 



