Trail stewardship season kickoff with the BMLT Blues Crew
The Blue Mountain Land Trust Blues Crew kicked off the 2022 trail season with a multi-day work party at Camp Wooten State Park outside Pomeroy, Washington. It was a positive weekend of trail work, fun, and community to help open the park to the public later this year. A big appreciation to our incredible volunteers for keeping the trails clear and safe for all-age recreation. Your contribution to our community’s outdoor experience is truly outstanding. Thank you!
BMLT Blues Crew Field Notes & Trail Report:
Volunteers worked in three distinct zones on the #3111 Nature Trail and on the Donnie Lake Trail. Activities included extensive brushing, clearing, blackberry removal, and retreading of the entire length of the trail, including many switchbacks; removal and replacement of numerous wooden stair treads on the westernmost aspect of the trail leading up to the waterfall, plus preparation for construction and placement of a puncheon at the waterfall and trail-crossing.
Extensive blackberry and brush removal and repositioning of existing wooden walkways were done on the Donnie Lake Perimeter Trail. Much of the work was achieved with manual trail tools, including handsaws, Pulaski, pickax, sledge, clippers, loppers, and hedge shears, along with trail hoes/rakes, McLeods, prybar, and tamper. Rocks were moved using buckets. Power tools included: a chainsaw, power drill, Sawzall, and others for clearing logs, prepping stair treads, and cutting rebar. Power brushers were used in several areas. Two volunteers raked debris and gravel around the Boys Shower House and cabin walkways to improve safety where critter winter activities had disturbed rock and windblown debris had accumulated.
Each evening before dinner prepared by chef Heidi McFarley and volunteers, a group debrief occurred where each team shared their major achievements, lessons learned, and priorities for the next day’s work. On Friday evening, Kyle McFarley entertained fireside near Donnie Lake. On Saturday evening, BMLT Conservation Director Amanda ‘Marti’ Martino discussed the conservation activities of the BMLT, and Development Director Afrose Ahmed invited volunteers to support the conservation program stewardship activities. Guest musicians Jimmye Turner and Glenn Morrison joined Kyle McFarley for a musical celebration in the Dining Hall.
Thank you to all our volunteers. Check out all the fun here!
Give back to places you love.
Join the BMLT Blues Crew to improve trail access and outdoor recreation in the Blue Mountain region. Check out our upcoming work parties for the spring and summer season.