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FRVC Volunteers Jonathan Brothers, Sherri Paraon, Tom
Walsh, Bill Reeves & Don Stehsel on the way to the Narrows
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Deep Creek Cleanup at The Narrows
On Saturday, October 22, 2011 five dedicated FRVC volunteers and five volunteers skilled in technical rescue scaled the steep canyon walls of the Narrows on Deep Creek, with the goal to irradicate graffiti throughout the area, some of which has been present for more than a decade.
The Narrows is located on Deep Creek near Running Springs, to access the trail leading to The Narrows take Highway 18 to Running Springs, go north on Hunsaker Road just past Encina Way and park off the road. Continue a short distance down Hunsaker to a driveway that leads to a service building and follow the fence line into the forest. You’ll see a USFS sign shortly and then a homemade sign that says “The Narrows”. Follow the trail to the canyon above Deep Creek.
Don Stehsel, FRVC Founder, has wanted to clean up this area for years, but the interest of others to join in, has always been low. Due to the steep terrain and the limited access to the area, this area is popular to rock climbers and the local young adults who like it for its seclusion. Don enlisted the help of his friend and neighbor, Fred Palmer who was able to put together a group of skilled climbers, Jim Morrell, Charles DeBruyn, Adam Brinkman, and Alan Sayce.
They rigged safety ropes and a harness to help lower needed equipment and supplies for the clean up into the steep canyon.
Volunteers Jonathan Brothers, Sherri Paraon, Bill Reeves and Tom Walsh ascended down the safety ropes into the canyon to remove trash and to remove or conceal the numerous graffiti markings.
One of the Search and Rescue climbers was able to scale the adjacent canyon wall and remove a very dangerous rope swing used by swimmers to swing out over the stream and drop into the water. Don stayed up top with a safety harness on and concealed numerous areas defaced by graffiti. In a matter of less than four hours the canyon was returned to its pristine state.
We would like to extend a Special Thank You to Fred Palmer, Jim Morrell, Charles DeBruyn, Alan Sayce and Adam Brinkman for their help and knowledgeable experience. Without their time, equipment and expertise, this clean-up project could not have been possible to complete.
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