--- A Note from Michael McLane, Eastern WA Trails Program Manager ---

This article has been sitting in various states of work for over a month (Ok, maybe 2 months). Originally a rather in-depth read of the work performed by our amazing Volunteers and Staff throughout the State of Washington, to a shorter recap of the work and what I am presenting now.

Originally the article was meant to be published a few weeks ago, but with lingering rumors, then eventual truths of what would happen to our federal lands partners, it then became about timing, and a feeling of taking away from the amazing accomplishments the hard working staff of those agencies do each and every year that allow us to focus on the areas that our membership recreate in.

They are not just people we “have” to work with through a process to keep things moving along, but they are our friends, our neighbors, part of our communities, and most importantly, individuals who are passionate about the outdoors, and work hard, long days, in all conditions to insure we are provided with the best experiences that can be offered with the resources available.

The ones who are left are going through what can only be described as a type of survivors’ guilt, seeing their entire teams that they worked with tirelessly to make our state the greatest state to recreate in the nation stripped away from them, leaving emptiness and silence to spaces once filled with life and laughter.

In the coming days, weeks, and months, you are likely to see more and more outreach from Evergreen, as well as other statewide partners, such as the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington, Washington Trails Association, Northwest Motorcycle Association, Pacific Northwest Four-Wheel Drive Association, and the countless regional and local trail stewardship and advocacy groups such as the Leavenworth Mountain Association, Trans Cascadia, and Methow Trails to name a few.

I ask you, as a recreationist, if you have the time to volunteer, but we don’t have a work party near where you are able to contribute, to explore these other partners for opportunities.

Opportunities across our state will be vast, and unlike the typical trail maintenance or new construction work we’ve focused on in the past, many areas will be in extreme need of volunteers to help clean up trash, restock bathrooms, remove graffiti, and other needs outside our comfort zones.

Also, make sure you take the time to let your representitives know that "you" (as a volunteer) are not the answer to this problem, but instead only there to help those left behind, and insure we don't lose access to the outdoors spaces we've labored years to access, are shut down due to unsafe, unsanitary, and unhealthy conditions caused by a lack of staffing. 

My promise to you is to tell our story better, to better communicate what is happening and where. I will be honest, waiting to do a backcountry wrap-up article after the work has been completed the following year, with no other indication previously that it was, doesn’t help you as a rider knowing where and when a trail is accessible.

--- Colville National Forest ---

A Fall View from the Gibraltar Trail - Photo Credit: Paul Martin

2024 was a big year in the Colville National Forest, making up more than 75% of the backcountry work performed in the calendar year with a total of 24 trails, 135+ miles, and over 2000 work hours from staff and volunteers put into restoration and recovery of trails across 4 forest districts.

Work kicked off in the Newport District in May with an East Chapter hosted work-party led by Trails Staff Brendan Holleran and Crew Chief Paul Martin, before moving North to Lake Sullivan and working on trails around the area such as Elk Creek, Noisy Creek, and Grassy Top.

Lots of effort went into lower Grassy Top, which had become severely overgrown, restoring this 3-mile section of trail back to Harvey Creek creating a larger backcountry loop experience in the Selkirk Mountain Range.

In the 3 Rivers District, extensive logouts continued in the Kettle Range on area trails, as well as brushing and tread improvements.

The 18^th Annual Kettle Fest focused work on Sherman Pass Trail out of Jungle Hill Campground, while the inaugural Larch Fest focused on brushing and heavy tread work on lower Jungle Hill.

Work in the fall included joining USDA FS employees in logging out parts of Taylor Ridge and area trails in the northern section of the Kettle Crest.

Republic District the crew focused on restoration work on the Gibraltar Trail before the season began to turn and winter settled in.

Register now for Kettle Fest and Larch Fest!

Kettle Fest, July 16-20

Larch Fest, October 2-5

--- Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest ---

 Central Chapter:

There is a trail there! Promise! Ceanothus overgrown on 4th of July Trail - Photo Credit: Ben Harris

Icicle Ridge/4^th of July

Work began in 2022 to clear the overgrown corridor on 4^th of July and Icicle that has been slowly recovering from fire, as the ceanothus, a nitrogen-fixing type of shrub common in fire-stricken areas, encroached on the trail tread in places completely obstructing the trail.

Work finished with corridor clearing in July of 2024 on the upper ridge, with some trail tread improvements scheduled for 2025 on the Icicle Trailhead end of the trail.

Nason Ridge

In 2024, work on Nason Ridge and its feeder trails began, with heavy tread rework of the Merrit Lake Trail, and heavy brushing working west up Nason Ridge to Rock Mountain and the Snowy Creek Trailhead.

Tom Ford and Ben Harris worked through the heat of the summer to reclaim nearly 10 miles of trail, joined by Jesse Livingston late Fall, working until snow forced them out to lower elevations in the Valley.

Work will continue in 2025 making progress towards Snowy Creek.

Methow Chapter:

Construction on "The Great Wall of Chickadee" - Photo Credit: Austin Graham

Restoration and Recovery work continues in the Methow Chapter at Chickadee on trails impacted by the 2021 Cedar Creek Fire.

Crew Chief Austin Graham along with trails staff Erich Zimmerman, and Jack Brown rallied local volunteers continuing to clear and maintain trail tread in areas severely impacted like Thompson Ridge by the Cedar Creek Fire.

Nitrogen fixing plant life is starting to really take off which is good for soil stability and erosion control and making the soil habitable for seedlings to take root but encroaches on trail corridors requiring frequent brushing throughout the year.

Working closely with the Methow Valley Ranger District, Evergreen also completed a 200 foot retaining wall on upper Climb-It change near the intersections with Pete’s Dragon, Wild Turkey, and Woodpecker, aligning the trail back on its original corridor that became unstable after fire ravished the area.

Methow staff and volunteers will continue their work in this area through 2025 and into the future years to mitigate issues around post fire recovery.

Also, keep your calendars open in early July, as the Methow Chapter will be hosting a dig/ride/camp weekend focusing on restoration work on West Fork Methow River trail, west of Mazama, as well as new trail construction opportunities at North Summit (Loup Loup).

Kittitas Chapter:

 Paris Creek Trail - Photo Credit: Michael Fischer

The Kittitas Chapter in 2024 completed its first Forest Service Maintenance agreement focusing on the Paris Creek Trail.

This 4.5 mile trail in the Cle Elum District provides an alternate riding route in the Jolly Mountain area system of trails.

Evergreen Crew Chief Michael Fischer worked with local volunteers and Kittitas Chapter President Jesse Cunningham on restoration efforts of the overgrown corridor of this trail that had seen little maintenance in the last decade.

Michael Fischer describes Paris Creek as;

“a lightly traveled multi-use trail providing a true backcountry experience. Ride this as an out and back or include it in an all-day backcountry epic.

Following the drainage of Paris Creek the lower portion consists of a mellow yet narrow bench traversing the hillside. Occasional steep pitches and tight switchbacks provide a challenging climb and keep downhill riders on their toes.

Enjoy the sound and view of the cold rushing creek below. As you gain elevation you will begin to catch views of the surrounding mountains. Upper segments of the trail are often steep and technical but the view will make up for the difficulty. The trail crosses over a steep ridge line with steep segments on either side. 

Riders who continue to the top of the trail will reach the ridgeline separating the Teanaway and Cle Elum River drainages. At the top you are rewarded with views of Mt Rainier,  the peaks of the Cascade Crest, Mt Stuart and the Teanaway Valleys.

Similar to popular trails such as Kachess Ridge, this trail provides the opportunity to ride in a more remote setting amongst large and rugged mountain terrain.” 

Cowlitz-Naches Chapter:

Work started on the Russell Ridge Trail #1111 in the Naches Ranger District of the Oka-Wen National Forest. Chapter President Tyler Forman said their efforts are to get it back to spec and contribute to a great multi-use trail resource in their area that has become harder to access over the years due to the state of neglect the trails are in.

Work will continue in area system trails over the coming years to improve user experience in this great destination area easily accessible off of Highway 12 north of Rimrock Lake.

Work was also done by Chapter Volunteers and partners at Soup Creek, Goat Mountain, Cow Canyon, and Strawberry Ridge.

--- Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest ---

 Cascades to Sound Chapter:

As one can see, the views are horrible from Suntop - Photo Credit: Paul Martin

Greenwater / 410 Corridor

Paul Martin led efforts this last fall with our latest maintenance agreement starting in 2024 with the USDA Forest Service off the 410 corridor on Suntop.

Starting on upper Suntop, Paul lead Volunteers down bucking trees, brushing trail, and making tread improvements along the way.

The season finished up with snowfall, putting to bed the trails until this coming spring once the higher elevations thaw.

2025 is shaping up to be a busy year out in this zone, with plenty of maintenance work to be done.

Keep an eye on the calendar for events and work parties focusing on these much loved trails over the coming months.