SNOWFLAKE PATHWAYS

A HISTORY IN PICTURES

2007: Upgrades & Additions

Our immediate neighbor, Mel, continued to do extensive clearing work for wildfire safety. As with all clearing work, hauling away the debris afterwards is the hardest, most time-consuming part of the operation.

(1) ^ ^ ^ ^ This thicket of almost impenetrable willow trees was thinned out and the dead wood removed.

(2) ^ ^ ^ ^ The clearing work provided an opportunity to widen the earlier pathway that headed south "up" the wash. The edge of the original pathway can be seen in this photograph.

(3) ^ ^ ^ ^ During the driest months, half-buried rocks effectively become "cemented" into the ground and are very difficult to remove. The best technique is to dig a moat around the rock and fill it with water. After a day or two of soaking, they require much less effort to dislodge.

(4) ^ ^ ^ ^ The completed pathway after widening and resurfacing with wood chips.

(5) ^ ^ ^ ^ Looking back in the other direction towards the Snowflake house.

(6) ^ ^ ^ ^ Closer view of the new rock edging.

(7) ^ ^ ^ ^ This is a 4-way junction. Each direction connecting to a different branch of the pathway system.

(8) ^ ^ ^ ^ In September, 2007, a detailed map of the trails and pathways was made available to the public. Anyone leaving their e-mail address at this station, would receive an digital copy of the map that could be printed out using a computer printer.

(9) ^ ^ ^ ^ Two different maps are available via this link. The trail maps are overlaid on satellite photos, so the maps are to scale and accurate.

(10) ^ ^ ^ ^ The original trail heading west that ascended up to Freeman Drive had to be temporarily closed. Construction had started on a new house at 2404 Freeman Drive which meant the trail was now crossing an active building site.

(11) ^ ^ ^ ^ Its hard to get people to change old habits, so providing an alternative pathway became a priority. Worked started on the new route in March, 2008, and took 4 months to complete.

(12) ^ ^ ^ ^ Towards the end of September, 2007, we found the Marble Grotto Table vandalized. This marble table top was smashed into pieces using a large rock, which can been seen lying on the ground directly behind the table (the lighter colored rock).

(13) ^ ^ ^ ^ Early snowfall in the Enchanted Forest, December 13, 2007.

(14) ^ ^ ^ ^ Early snowfall December 13, 2007. Wedding Bridge in the background.

(15) ^ ^ ^ ^ Deanna on the Wedding Bridge.