Celebrate National Trails Day by volunteering for public lands! Join the BMLT Blues Crew on Saturday, June 6, to work on one of the most beloved trails in our area, the Umatilla Rim Trail.

The Umatilla Rim trail is a popular path used by hikers, bikers, horseback riders, dirt bikers and also snowshoers in the winter. With so many user groups, it’s especially important that we maintain the trail for all outdoor adventurers!

It is nearly 10 miles long and mostly follows the top of the plateau, giving amazing views into the wilderness at every turn. There are several spots on the trail that need drainage work as well as areas that need to be cleared of brush creeping onto the trail.

Celebrate National Trails Day with us, take action for our natural lands, and join our volunteers on the trails. We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference. No experience is necessary!

Check out more information about the trail here, and here.

Questions? Get in touch with us at bmlt@bmlt.org.

Trip Details:

• Volunteer work to accomplish:

  🌲 Brush and widen several areas

  🌲 Rebuild tread where the trail has washed out

• What it takes to do this work party:

  • Tolerance for hard work and backcountry conditions.

  • No specific thinning 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 6 hours

  • Be able to hike 3 to 4 miles on rocky terrain and climb 350ft while carrying necessary tools

  • Recommended for ages 14 and older. Anyone under 18 needs to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• Meeting location:

  Walla Walla based volunteers: please arrive at USFS Ranger District Office parking lot at 1415 W Rose Street, Walla Walla at 7:30 am on Saturday 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.)

  If you are not planning to join the Walla Walla carpool, meet at the Andies Prairie parking lot at 8:45 am.

• Schedule:

  Saturday, June 6, 2026

  7:30 am: Arrive at Walla Walla Ranger Station

  7:45 am: Arrange carpool and head out

  8:45 am: Meet at the Andies Prairie parking lot

  9:20 am: Stretch and safety talk

  9:35 am: Divide up and set out to do trail work

  12:00 pm: Break for Lunch

  12:40 pm: Back to work!

  3:30 pm: Shut down work for the day

  3:50 pm: Everyone back to the vehicle they came up in and head out

  5:00 pm: Arrive back at Walla Walla Ranger Station

• 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:

  ✅ Day backpack

  ✅ Lunch

  ✅ Water bottle - suggest 64 ounces of water

  ✅ Warm clothing for wet/cold weather

  ✅ Trail snacks

  ✅ Personal care items

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

• Trip notes:

  ⚠️ Pets are not to accompany volunteers due to work safety concerns.
  ⚠️ Please fill out the liability waiver and email to bmlt@bmlt.org or print and bring with you to the work party!

  ⚠️ 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 bmlt@bmlt.org or 509-525-3136.

Presented in partnership with United States Forest Service.