Who's Who in Trail Maintenance

WTA's trail maintenance program, the largest state-based program of its kind, coordinated over 2,000 volunteers last year who gave more than 83,000 hours on 148 trails on Washington's public lands. Now a new year has begun, and so does another season on trail. Our dedicated staff and crew leaders have already begun scoping trails for damage, collaborating with agencies to identify and prioritize trail projects, recruiting volunteers, and coordinating the first of over 700 work parties we expect to complete by the end of the year.

Who's behind all this great trail work to maintain our state's best hiking trails? Check out this 'Who's Who in Trail Maintenance' to find out:

Alyssa Kreider

WTA's Volunteer Coordinator, Alyssa Kreider, keeps track of the more than 2,000 volunteers who help out on trail every year. She helps them through the entire volunteer process from signing up for a work party to recognition for their efforts. She also manages the on-line schedule and compiles reports for land managers. In her five years at WTA, she has spent more than 200 days in the field working alongside these volunteers. Alyssa grew up in Ohio and learned to love hiking through an annual trek to the Great Smoky Mountains, where she summited the Chimney Tops multiple times as a youth. Her favorite hike is the Weden Creek Trail in the Darrington Ranger District.

Alan Carter Mortimer is WTA's Field Director, and of all the WTA office staff, he logs the most hours in the woods (and in his truck.)

Alan Carter Mortimer

Alan oversees the planning and implementation of trail construction and maintenance projects.  He works closely with land managers and sets up projects on the ground, and coordinates with crew leaders to ensure everything is in place for the volunteers when they arrive. He also trains volunteer crew leaders for the trail maintenance program. Alan has been a volunteer with Washington Trails Association for 11 years and a crew leader since 1998. Alan's favorite hike is the Copper Pass - Twisp Pass loop on the Okanogan National Forest.

 

Diane Bedell is WTA's Trail Programs Director. Diane first encountered WTA when working as a trail crew member on the Chelan District in 1999, where she helped Greg Ball pack llamas in for a trip at Domke Lake.  (The llamas won.)  Diane later moved to the Cowlitz District on the Gifford Pinchot, where she has been the district’s outdoor recreation planner and wilderness manager.  Diane has a masters in recreation, park and leisure studies, and has also worked for a commercial outfitter in the Boundary Waters.  She started leading WTA extensive trail maintenance program on January 4, 2009. Welcome, Diane!  Email: diane@wta.org

 

Tim Van Beek

WTA's Program Coordinator is Tim Van Beek. Tim has been crew leading Volunteer Vacations around the state for WTA since 2005.  This year Tim stepped from his role as crew leader into the role of Project Coordinator for WTA’s Volunteer Vacation program.  He works closely with the various land management agencies to come up with a set of up 32 projects that will not only address important trail needs, but will also entice a crew of 12 volunteers to spend a week in the back country.  His favorite hike is High Divide by Mt. Baker or anywhere in the Enchantments.

Krista Dooley

Krista Dooley is WTA's Youth Programs Coordinator. She handles WTA's youth and family outreach, including the Families Go Hiking clinics and guided hikes. Krista also coordinates WTA's schedule and logistics for the Youth Volunteer Vacation program, a growing summer program which now includes nine week-long Frontcountry “Beginner” and four Backcountry “Advanced” trips for teens. Krista enjoys hiking anywhere in the Goat Rocks Wilderness.

Mike Owens

Mike Owens is WTA's Chief Crew Leader.  He leads the mid-week trail crews throughout the year and has a strong following of volunteers who come back time and again because of his fun work parties.  Mike led 161 crews last year and has more 1,400 days on the trail under his belt. Chances are you'll see him if you sign up for a work party Tuesday through Friday.  And you're sure to have a good time.

WTA’s trail maintenance program is truly a volunteer-driven program.  WTA could not accomplish such an ambitious schedule without the help from a trained and dedicated volunteer crew leader base.  Last year, 119 crew leaders gave several days of their time - 100 of whom gave five or more days. This is essential for WTA work parties to maintain a ratio of 8 new “green hat” volunteers to each experienced WTA crew leader.

To be in touch with any of our trail maintenance staff persons, see WTA's contact page.