The tough part about being a support person is that hiking is where the action is … usually. On my last support stint I found plenty of action when I pulled into the Squaw Creek Trailhead late morning to set up camp. To my surprise the trailhead was stuffed with vehicles, mostly pick-up trucks. Strange for that particular, remote trailhead.
I had stumbled upon a PCTA trail crew in action. They called themselves the Lyons Pride, headed up for the past 15 years by John Lyons. John was the first one I met from the crew when I went to check out the trail junction and learned they were there for one more day. I volunteered my services to lop off branches for their final afternoon of action.
At a time when trail angels abound we should count volunteer trail crews among them. Indeed, they invest more of their time, sweat and funds than most trail angels, usually for something that when they do their job, hikers don’t always notice.
The Lyons Pride went far beyond their trail work in extending kindness to us. They invited us to both supper and breakfast, in addition to sending us off with a bunch of extra food. They offered us hot showers. We declined even as they kept offering. Maybe we were slow to get the hint.
We left with addresses for dropping in on some of the trail crew, including John when we get to Etna. Charissa took over support for the next day. She went to the home of trail crew member Connie for lunch and a shower. As she got into her car to leave she found $40 taped to the driver’s side window.
Admittedly, much of their kindness was our great fortune alone, yet I encountered a few thru-hikers that marveled at how well the trail was groomed around the Squaw Creek area. The Lyons Pride helped many more hikers than just us. Plus, for that one day, they were where the action was.
