Winter is coming! Join the Blues Crew to prepare the Nordic Area for the snow season of 2021-2022.
Love to ski and snowshoe? Work on trails to make them safe and enjoyable? Join the Blues Crew as we prepare the Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Area in the Umatilla National Forest for the snow season of 2021-2022. Volunteers will be divided into groups of 5 and lead by an experienced Blues Crew trail leader.
Volunteer work to accomplish:
Brushing with loppers and saws
Trimming branches that encroach upon trail signs and markers
Placing blue diamond trail markers using 10’ extension ladders
Digging post holes and placing new trail signs
What it takes to do this work party:
No experience is necessary— bring a great attitude for working with a team! Blues Crew leadership will provide training and tools as needed.
Expect to be physically active at your own pace for 5 hours on uneven terrain.
Exertion Level: Light to moderate.
Recommended for ages 18 and older due to COVID precautions.
Planning Information - Get ready for a great day
Schedule:
8:00 am – Meet at USFS parking lot on Rose Street in Walla Walla
8:15 am – Depart for Horseshoe Prairie
9:00 am – Arrive Horseshoe Prairie. Orientation and safety briefing. Move onto the area.
Noon – Bring your own lunch
3:00 pm – Work complete. Discussion and beverages at trailhead. Return to Walla Walla.
What to bring:
A cloth or N95 face mask to wear
Water bottle(s)
Lunch, snacks and water
A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!
Firearms and weapons are not allowed.
What to wear:
Boots – no sneakers or sandals
Long pants and gaiters if recent rainy weather
Long-sleeved shirt and rain jacket
Work gloves and eye protection (glasses or sunglasses)
Ticks can be present: DEET or Picaridin for self, permethrin for clothes
Blues Crew Supplied: Safety gear, first aid kit, hard hat, tools
Blues Crew Lead(s): Greg Brown & Kyle McFarley
For more Information contact us at blues-crew@bmlt.org or 509-525-3136
COVID Precautions:
All participants at outdoor events, including but not limited to education, conservation, and recreation gatherings, will be required to wear masks except when the event leaders determine that social distancing can provide sufficient safety to allow unmasked activity. Volunteers will be asked to self-certify that they are well on the day of the work party, without: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
Note
Pets are not to accompany volunteers on a Blues Crew work party due to work safety concerns.