Need an escape from the heat, or want a chance to give back to public lands? Join the BMLT Blues Crew for a day clearing overgrown brush and doing a bit of tread 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 drainages at every turn. There are several spots of the trail that need drainage work as well as a couple spots here and there that need cleared of brush creeping onto the trail. If we have time we will take a look at the worksite for our next big project, a bridge over a muddy crossing.

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 Craig Piefer at craig@bmlt.org.

Trip Details:

• Volunteer work to accomplish:

  🌲 Brush and widen several areas

  🌲 Rebuild tread where the trail has washed out

  🌲 Scout out bridge project

• 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

• Meeting location:

  Please arrive at USFS Ranger District Office parking lot at 1415 W Rose Street, Walla Walla at 8am 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.)

• Schedule:

  Saturday, July 26

  8:00 am: Arrive at Walla Walla Ranger Station 

  8:10 am: Arrange carpool and head up to Tollgate

  9:15 am: Arrive at Horseshoe Prairie

  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 at it!

  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 to bring to the work project daily

  ✅ 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 craig@bmlt.org or print and bring with you to the work party!

  ⚠️ Please stay home if you are feeling unwell.
  ⚠️ Phone service is not available around Phipps Meadow or Bates State Park. Please download the directions and contact us as soon as possible before your departure if you have questions.
  ⚠️ 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 United States Forest Service.