Join the BMLT Blues Crew for a trail work party on the North Fork Umatilla River Trail #3083 AKA Coyote Ridge Trail.

The North Fork Umatilla River Trail is one of the most beautiful trails in the Blue Mountains. Earlier this year, we worked our way up the trail, building bridges, creating turnpikes, rerouting away from bogs, and clearing the trail of overgrown brush. Now, it’s time to start at the top and work our way down.

Most of the work area is high on the ridge out of the trees, where the Umatilla River drainage is in full view. It’s beautiful! There are a couple of areas where the trail has a lot of weather and erosion exposure and we will need to make a new cut, hinge, and tread to ensure safe footing for hikers and stock alike. There are several small springs and drainages where vegetation is abundant and hiding the trail. We will brush or cut back those areas so the trail can be easily seen. Lastly, there's a spring that seeps onto the trail, creating a stagnant pool of water and mud. We'll dig a drainage channel and fill it with large rocks to direct the flow downslope.

Be a part of this exciting volunteer opportunity! We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference. No experience is necessary.

Learn more about the trail here.

Questions? Get in touch with Craig Piefer at craig@bmlt.org.

Trip Details:

• Volunteer work to accomplish:

  🌲 Brush and widen several areas

  🌲 Improve drainage where the spring water pools and makes the trail muddy

  🌲 Rebuild tread where the trail has washed out (total <100 ft)

• What it takes to do this work party:

  • Tolerance for hard work and backcountry conditions.

  • No specific trail work experience is necessary—bring a great attitude for working with a team!

  • BMLT Blues Crew leaders and USFS partners will provide training and tools as needed.

  • Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 5 hours.

  • Be able to hike 3 miles round trip on rocky terrain and climb 450ft in 1.5 miles

  • Recommended for ages 13 and older

• Meeting location:

  Please arrive at USFS Ranger District Office parking lot at 1415 W Rose Street, Walla Walla at 07:20 on Sunday, September 15th to carpool to the trailhead.  If you’re willing to drive, please arrive with a full gas tank.  Please be prepared to share gas costs with your volunteer driver on the return trip (bring cash.)

• Trip schedule:

  Volunteers from outside of Walla Walla should meet at the Tollgate Crossing Store. From there we will drive the 2 mile gravel road to the trailhead together. If you are meeting the rest of the crew up there, please notify craig@bmlt.org at least 24 hours in advance.

  07:20 AM: Arrive at USFS Ranger District Office for check-in.

  07:30 AM: Depart for Coyote Ridge Trailhead

  8:10 AM: Meet “out of towners” at  Tollgate Crossing Store then drive the rest of the way to trailhead.

  08:30 AM: Arrive at trailhead

  08:35 AM: Unload tools, stretch, safety talk and begin work

  12:00 PM: Break for lunch

  12:30 PM: Back at it

  03:30 PM: Head back to vehicles and turn in tools

  04:00 PM: Quick debrief and head out

  05:00ish PM: Arrive at USFS Ranger District Office

• What to wear:

  ✅ Boots – no sneakers or sandals during work hours

  ✅ Long pants and long-sleeved shirt

  ✅ Rain gear

  ✅ Work gloves and eye protection (glasses, sunglasses)

  ✅ Ticks can be present: bring DEET for self, Permethrin for clothes

  *** BMLT Blues Crew Supplied: Safety gear, first aid kit, hard hat, tools

• What to bring:

  ✅ Lightweight day pack

  ✅ Water bottle - suggest 64 ounces of water

  ✅ Warm clothing for wet/cold weather

  ✅ Snacks

  ✅ Personal care items such as toilet paper

  Blues Crew practices Leave No Trace™ principles -- please bring what you need to comply.

• Trip notes:

  ⚠️ Please pack your own lunch, snacks and water.
  
  ⚠️ Pets are not to accompany volunteers due to work safety concerns.
  
  ⚠️ Please fill out the liability waiver and email to craig@bmlt.org or print and bring with you to the work party!

  ⚠️ We’re currently following CDC guidelines for all BMLT sponsored events. Please stay home if you are feeling unwell.
  
  ⚠️ BMLT Blues Crew practices Leave No Trace™ principles.

  ⚠️ Is this your first volunteer trail work party? Check out this short video on ‘What to Expect and How to Stay Safe’

• Contact information:

  For more information, contact us at craig@bmlt.org or blues-crew@bmlt.org or 509-525-3136.

Presented in partnership with the Umatilla Ranger District of the Umatilla National Forest, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.