Volunteer Trail Maintenance Update from Washington Trails Association
September 24, 2003
It's hard to believe that Labor Day has come and gone and that this wonderful summer weather may finally end, or that trail maintenance in the backcountry is coming to a close for another year. Washington Trails Association (WTA) still has some projects that they're trying to finish before the snow comes but first, here's a brief report from Greg Ball, WTA's Director of Operation on their trail work for 2003:
We started with 5 weeks on or near Lake Chelan and have the Lakeshore in such good shape that for the first time in four years we'll only be there for one week next year. We finished the first mile of the Rattlesnake Ledges Trail and rebuilt the Rattlesnake Trail on the other side of the mountain through last year's logging area. We helped fellow Earth Share of Washington member Earthcorps do the final work on the new CCC Trail in the Middle Fork. On the Olympics we logged out Tunnel Creek and did a re-route on the Lower Big Quilcene. In SW Washington we did a major rehab project on the Tamanous Trail. We had youth groups on the new Wallace Lake Trail almost all summer building three bridges, numerous other structures, and pushing the trail to the halfway point. We helped Earth Share of Washington member Volunteers for Outdoor Washington close the old Mason Lake Trail while opening the new trail. After having Cle Elum District beg for several years we finally rebuilt the switchbacks down to Lake Margaret. The last section of the Equestrian Loop Trail on Squak was finished by an REI group who completed a 32' bridge. And those are just the big projects.
This fall we're doing our first work near Olympia with some work parties on the South Fork Skokomish. We've got more structures to build on Franklin Falls and more brush to cut on Mineral Creek. We removed so much brush last year on Mineral Creek that we can now see how bad the tread is and begin repairing that. The Olympics are working on a new start to the Gold Creek Trail and SW Washington has a couple of trips to Indian Heaven Wilderness.
Bottom line is we've got some great projects remaining before the snow comes and we need you help. Come out and join us. Get a jump on your NW Forest Pass for next year. Enjoy some great fall weather and colors.
To learn more about Washington Trails Assocation's volunteer opportunities, please visit our volunteer page.
