The Big Kahuna

 Big Trees require big solutions.

Visit #1387, Saturday 24 September 22, 1:30-3:50PM, 3.6 miles, 6.0 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the low 70s, sunny and dry.

Last week I reported finding a number of fallen trees or branches across the trails in Hubbard Park. Time to take care of them.

But the largest, a fallen oak, would require I break out the 20" bar for my chainsaw. Overkill and too much drama for most work, but called to duty under BIG circumstances.

I hiked over the I-691 walkbridge and met my first challenge. Small Kahuna stuff.

Felling this reminded me of chopping carrots. I don't know why.

The Big Kahuna was barely a hundred feet away, on the Blue Trail to West Peak.

Just before I began to dig into this tangled beast, a passing hiker chanced by and offered to help. His help came in handy and was a time saver. The tree was under compression in more than one direction, pinching my chainsaw bar and generally being stubborn.

But being stubborn is still no match for the Big Kahuna. Whether that's me or the chainsaw, you'll have to decide.

Jeff followed me up the Blue Trail to the next fallen tree. Incidentally, Jeff told me he's dropped twenty pounds since he began hiking in Hubbard Park, much like the woman I met last week.

Jeff and I cleaned up this little mess.

At this point Jeff and I parted ways, but not before Jeff told me he had recently seen a mountain biker CARRYING A HANDGUN while riding in Hubbard Park. By Jeff's description I know who it is. Not exactly a comforting sight, I would think.

I hiked down to Merimere Reservoir and found a newly fallen birch tree at a trail intersection.

I tidied this up without the Big Kahuna making a sound.

But the Big Kahuna would not remain silent for long. At the other end of this trail was a fallen hemlock which needed more than muscle power to remove.

Now, to put that 20" bar back into the box and give it a rest, until next time.