The Signpost Blog
And We're Done! (Well, almost...)
Hike-a-Thoners jump for joy - what a successful event we've had!
September is here and the 7th Annual Hike-a-Thon is coming to a close. We had 118 hikers participating this year - double last year's total. They've been wearing their Hike-a-Thon t-shirts, carrying their authenticity markers, and hiking like mad the entire month of August.
From one Hike-a-Thoner to another, I say congratulations - and thank you too!
Now it's time to scrapbook our adventures, waterproof our boots and collect on those by-the-miles and straggling pledges. I personally can't wait to see the totals and pass out all of the cool prizes.
So how did you do this year? How many miles did you hike? How many trails did you explore? How much money did you raise? What kind of adventures did you have?
Got a Hike-a-Thon story to share? We'd love to hear it. Please post your story, adventure, or mis-adventure in the comments.
Hike-a-Thon is presented by Mountain Hardwear - Seattle Store with additional support from Orthopedics International.
Celebrating Youth in Action
Youth volunteer in action.
The final days of summer are upon us. Before students head back to school, I would like to celebrate the great work that youth volunteers have contributed to trails this summer. I am always so amazed at what WTA youth volunteers accomplish and greatly appreciate their efforts and energy to keep the youth program going strong! THANK YOU!
In the past nine weeks, sixteen volunteer youth crews worked on trails in two state parks (Cape Disappointment & Beacon Rock), four National Forests (Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan- Wenatchee, Olympic, & Gifford Pinchot), two wilderness areas (Alpine Lakes & Henry M. Jackson), Mount St. Helens National Volcanic and the Yakama Nation.
The 119 youth volunteers, ages 14-18, camped for a week, met new friends, ate delicious food, learned new trail skills and explored beautiful places in Washington. More than 40% of these volunteers were returning from last year.
The Youth Volunteer Vacation program attracts youth from all over the state, and out of state as well. This is what some volunteers had to say about their experience this summer:
"The crew leaders were knowledgeable, helpful, and focused. This was my fourth week-long, and I still learned some new things! I enjoyed working on trails in beautiful places, the satisfaction of a job well done, and hanging out with great WTA people!"
- youth volunteer Tzuria F.
"I had a blast on my first (but definitely not last) WTA vacation. The balance of work and play was perfect for me. I'm very proud of what the group got done, especially the root and stump destruction. Our work this week opened my eyes to the amount of effort needed to build all the hiking trails that I've been on. I am interested in improving my hiking karma by repairing some more trails, so I'll be checking out some of the work parties coming up this year."
- youth volunteer Seth V.
In all, WTA youth contributed more than 8,000 volunteer hours this summer. That is quite an accomplishment. I would like to thank each of our youth volunteers for joining WTA on trail and giving back to the hiking community. Also - a special thank you to the crew leaders and interns who made the season a success and kept the crews safe, having fun and getting some work done. Your efforts have made a huge impact on trails throughout Washington.
To see photos of this summer's youth volunteers in action, visit WTA Youth Programs on Facebook.
North Fork Sauk Trail Closed this Week
The result of the Darrington crew's work on the North Fork Sauk trail last year. Photo by Cascade Liberation Organization.
The North Fork Sauk Trail (#649) will be closed from Tuesday, August 31 through Friday, September 3 for trail reconstruction. The closure will occur between the Mackinaw Shelter (5 miles up the trail) to the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (at 9 miles).
This work is a continuation of what crews started last year on the trail when they constructed a brand new bridge over Red Creek and did reroutes around flood-prone areas. Trip Reporter "Cascade Liberation Organization" summarized the 2009 work quite well in a Trip Report on September 26, 2009.
This time crews will be blasting in the area just above the switchbacks, making it easier for hikers to reach the Pacific Crest Trail.
The PCT will remain open during this week, but hikers could expect some delays. Sounds a lot like road construction!
Lake Wenatchee State Park Closed
Camping, swimming, boating and hiking are off-limits at Lake Wenatchee State Park until further notice. Photo by Susan Gates.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has closed Wenatchee State Park until further notice. Two trees that appeared healthy fell in the campground over the past two weeks, and subsequent tests found root rot in other firs in the park.
The closure is in effect until at least September 1, and has Labor Day campers scrambling for alternatives. The state park is one of the largest in the state, with 197 campsites, 12,623 feet of waterfront on Lake Wenatchee and the Wenatchee River, and several miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails.
People with camping reservations have been notified individually, and the park is working to find other accommodations for them. Unfortunately, the beach area, boat ramp and trails in Lake Wenatchee Park will be closed as well.
Anyone with plans for the area this weekend should be seeking alternative places to play. If you need an idea, please consult our Hike Finder. If you plan to visit the Lake Wenatchee area for Labor Day, check in regularly with the Lake Wenatchee State Park website for updates. Crews are working as quickly as they can to assess the extent of the tree problem. Some areas could open in time for Labor Day.
Are There Hucks Yet?
Backpacker with a handful of berries. Photo by Dave Schiefelbein.
Much of my summer is spent in anticipation of one moment - my first taste of huckleberries. Where will it be, when will be and, most importantly, will it be a bountiful harvest or a lackluster crop?
For fellow huckleberry fiends, I offer my huckleberry report to date:
- August 7 - A handful of ripe huckleberries at the intersection of the Phelps Creek Trail and Leroy Creek Trail. Surprising! Seemed a bit early, even for a sunny, open spot.
- August 14 - Zero ripe huckleberries along the PCT near White Pass and suspiciously few green berries on the bushes. Not surprising, as this would be fairly early for high-elevation, west of the crest terrain, but the lack of berries in progress was not promising.
- August 21 - Sizable patch of ripe huckleberries near the start of the Esmeralda Basin Trail. Hurray! This seems right on target for east of the crest and in a fairly sunny spot.
- August 25 - Spotty patches of berries along the Tonga Ridge trail. I'd guess this trail is about two weeks from peak, with the best berry picking along the slopes of Mount Sawyer.
Looking for more berry reports? You can search WTA's Trip Reports specifically for berries! (Now, if that doesn't show a commitment to hiker satisfaction, I don't know what does...) Just go to our Trip Reports, and click on "show advanced search options." Here you'll find a check box labeled "Ripe Berries." The most recent berry reports will show in the results section. And good news: just this week, more hikers are reporting ripe ones!
For guaranteed huckleberries, our trail maintenance folks suggest that you take part in our Volunteer Vacation on the Thorp Lake Trail from September 11 - 18. There are several spaces remaining. And what better way to cap off a week of trail work than by baking yourself a pie made from hand-picked berries?
Best of luck on your berry quests.
Trail Funding to be Cut?
NRTP dollars help fund WTA's trail maintenance program.
While I'm sure federal policy is the last thing on your mind while you're out hiking, perhaps it shouldn't be.
Next time you hit the trail, take a moment to notice the bridges there to help you cross the creek, the rock wall supporting the switchback, or the fallen logs that were cut away from the trail. Chances are, your trail is kept in good shape by funds from the National Recreation Trails Program (NRTP). Housed in the federal transportation budget, NRTP provides money to state and federal agencies, as well as non-profit organizations like WTA, to keep our trails in good shape.
These NRTP dollars are critical; without them, our volunteer trail maintenance program would be cut in half. WTA receives $150,000 annually from NRTP. Those dollars are leveraged several times over as we use them to field volunteer work parties all over Washington state, from day trips to maintain Granite Mountain to Volunteer Vacations at Thorp Lake.
Here's where politics intrudes. The jobs bill that Congress just passed will be partially funded by a requirement that states give back $2.2 billion of their transportation funding. That's a big chunk of change. Where will it come from? We're very concerned that Washington's Department of Transportation could choose to raid their NRTP dollars to send those funds back. So, we have to make sure that money is sent back proportionally--in other words, that no single source is drained completely.
Update: The comment period for this action is over. Please see the comment below for more information. You can help. Please take a moment and contact Washington's Governor, Chris Gregoire. Tell her not to raid NRTP funds in order to comply with the $2.2 billion federal rescission, but to instead make proportional, across-the-board cuts. The needs on our trails are very serious, and every dollar is precious, particularly when hard-working volunteers multiply those dollars three times over with their great work.
You can contact Governor Gregoire's office by phone at (360) 902-4111. To email Governor Gregoire, please use this form.
PCT Section Reopens
Spectacle Lake and the PCT has been reopened to hikers. Photo by SineQuaNon.
There is good news for hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)! The section of the PCT between Snoqualmie Pass and Steven Pass that has been closed since a fire damaged the trail last summer has reopened. The damage had required a lengthy reroute that we reported on in June.
Volunteers that are part of the Northwest Youth Corps spent four weeks this summer rebuilding tread and structures in the burned section south of Lemah Meadows and around Spectacle Lake. The Cle Elum Fire Crew repaired trail near Mineral Creek.
Two WTA youth crews recently finished work just north of the closed section on Escondido Ridge, so this whole stretch of trail should be in great shape for hikers as we head into Labor Day.
In addition, the trail is completed just in time for the annual parade of thru-hikers heading north to Canada. More than one hundred hikers complete the thru-hike of the PCT from Mexico to Canada each year, and most of them hike the Washington portion in September.
Attention Hungry Hikers!
Bring your own grocery bags to the Westlake Whole Foods and raise $ for WTA.
Now there's another great reason to bring your own bag when you shop.
Through September 30, each customer who brings their own bag to the Whole Foods Market - Westlake store will have the option to donate their $0.10 bag refund to Washington Trails Association. It's easy to pitch in, whether you work in downtown Seattle, live nearby or are simply passing through (hint: it's only about 0.5 miles from the REI flagship store).
So stop by Whole Foods Market at 2210 Westlake Ave, Seattle, and spread the word!
Hike-a-Thon's Half-way
WTA's Web Editor, Susan Elderkin, hikes with her daugther on the Bagley Lakes Trail last weekend. Photo by Jon Stier.
August 15th has come and gone and WTA's 7th Annual Hike-a-Thon is now more than half way over. Overall, Hike-a-Thoners are rockin - collectively already raising $27,500 of our $41,000 goal. But how are they doing as individuals?
WTA staff speak up about their Hike-a-Thons:
Brian/Team Windrope Boys: 40% of fundraising goal. "It's a just feel good situation. Hike-a-Thon has been a wonderful way to get my boys (5 & 9) out hiking more. They are so excited about WTA, hiking, family support, and fundraising for trails!"
Deb: "I've been hiking with another Hike-a-Thoner and have had two wonderful hikes this past week: Cougar Mountain and the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie. The former hike included my friend's delightful malamute, Tatoosh, but it was too hot to take him with us on Sunday. Can he get credit for her miles with donors too?"
Diane: 63% of goal. "I'm having fun. It's great to support WTA in a different way."
Holly: "Despite spending the first two weeks of August in a boat, I've still managed to hike 10 miles for Hike-a-Thon!"
Kara - 85% of goal. "My third year running Hike-a-Thon is thus far a rockin' success. Woot Woot."
Lace 42% of goal. "Glacier Peak via White Pass: 16+ Hike-a-Thon miles! Berries: zero."
Niki: "I've been hiking every weekend in August, but my hikes have been too steep. I need to find some flatter hikes for Hike-a-Thon to rack up the miles!"
Rebecca: 69% of goal. "After 43.5 miles of hiking, my muscles are sore but every step has been worth it: close-up views of volcanoes, glaciers, and granite peaks; endless wildflowers; one lookout; seven mountain goats; and one black bear.
Susan - 101% of goal! "I took my kids to Mt. Baker last weekend. My 5 year-old son kept saying, 'This is awesome! What a gorgeous view! Thank you for taking me to this very cool destination!' Have I finally turned him into a hiker?"
If you'd lke to help us or any of the 114 Hike-a-Thoners along in their fundraising goals, we'll greatly appreciate your support! Sponsor us today!
WTA's 7th Annual Hike-a-Thon is presented by Mountain Hardwear - Seattle Store.
Olympic Fires Close Trails
A forest fire burns on the south flank of Mt. Hopper (shown here), closing nearby trails. Photo by Phil Ullrich.
The Hopper Fire in Olympic National Park north of Lake Cushman has expanded to more than 325 acres and is projected to grow as temperatures remain hot, dry and windy in the afternoon.
As a precaution, Olympic National Park has closed several trails in the vicinity.
- North Skokomish River trail, between Nine Stream and the Duckabush River trail via Home Sweet Home.
- Scout Lake trail to St. Peter's Gate and Mount Stone
- The way trail to Hagen Lake
- Mount Hopper trail
Anyone who is planning to hike on any trails from the Olympic's Staircase entrance, to Upper Lena Lake, or more than 12 miles in on the Duckabush should contact the park's Wilderness Information Center (360.565.3100) or website for the most current trail conditions. People may also call 260.565.2975 for a recorded message about the fire.
Hikers who do hike on the southeast side of the Olympics should expect to encounter smoke. At this time, Olympic National Park is allowing this fire to burn, as it is not threatening structures, property or any lives. It is expected to grow in size, however, and yesterday's path took it closer to the North Fork Skokomish River trail.
Those interested in more details, including a map, about this fire can find them on InciWeb - a western states' clearninghouse for fire information.
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