A FIRE JUST BELOW AVATAR'S POINT at Meher Mount in Wheeler Canyon on April 17, 2015. This photo was taken around 11:00 a.m. in the morning. Fortunately, by around 2:00 p.m., the fire was under control and not threatening. But the danger of fire is ever present. You can help reduce the risk at Meher Mount by participating in Trim-the-Trail Day. (Buzz Glasky photo, 2015.)
NO RAIN - MORE FIRE DANGER
Several winters without sufficient rain have left Southern California dry and highly susceptible to year-round wildfires.
One way to protect Meher Mount is to make sure that tall grasses near the buildings and in open spaces are kept mowed. One area that is not easily accessible is the meadow below Avatar's Point called the Prasad Orchard.
So, now it's time to trim the Prasad Orchard Trail to make that meadow more reachable with mowing equipment.
TRIM-THE-TRAIL DAY ON SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
Come to Meher Mount on Saturday, June 6, 2015 to "trim the trail" of brush and over-hanging branches to make way for the mowing equipment.
It's a great opportunity to provide service, to join in the camaraderie of working with others, and to feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
What's needed?
- Help trimming the brushes and growth on the Prasad Orchard Trail.
- Help preparing, setting up, and cleaning up for lunch.
SCHEDULE - SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
8:00 a.m. to Noon: You can start early before it gets too warm.
Noon to 1:00 p.m.: Lunch - Please bring something to share.
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Finish trimming, if needed.
WHAT TO BRING
If you are coming to work on the trail, wear outdoor working clothes and close-toed shoes. Bring a sun hat, sun glasses, and sunscreen along with work gloves, if you have them. Meher Mount will provide all the necessary equipment and instruction.
Also, please bring something to share with the group for a communal lunch.
If you are coming to help with lunch set-up and clean-up, no equipment is necessary. But a hat, sunscreen, sun glasses, and close-toed shoes are always recommended.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY
As a valued volunteer, you leave knowing that you have helped to maintain this semi-wilderness area in honor of Meher Baba. You also will have aided Meher Mount in being a good and responsible neighbor. And you will have helped to preserve wildlife habitat by helping to protect it from fires.
HISTORY OF THE PRASAD ORCHARD TRAIL
At the Young Adult Sahavas in June 2000, a group chose “trail blazing” as a work project. According to the account given by Ryan Brown, with a lot of hard work and swinging of pick axes, they were able to finish the Prasad Orchard Trail, which had started during the Young Adult Sahavas in 1998.
The trail winds down from Baba's Tree along the side of a picturesque hillside to the Prasad Orchard meadow. This is the first trail built at Meher Mount and was created to make the beautiful Meher Mount property more accessible to visitors.
BRUSH ALONG the Prasad Orchard Trail needs to be trimmed to make way for the mowing equipment to reduce the fire risk in the Prasad Orchard at Meher Mount. (Stephanie Ervin photo, 2015.)
THE MEADOW known as the Prasad Orchard with tall grass that needs to be mowed. (Stephanie Ervin photo, 2015.)