Beaver Lake — Thursday, Apr. 11, 2019

I am happy to report that this trail is in some of the best shape I have seen it in! The slide has been benched and can be walked by toddlers, many of the drainage problems have been addressed plus brushing and benching has been done on some sections needing some attention. The only issue of note is the section just before the defunct bridge (now a viewpoint), is mucky clay that just can't be helped, you need boots here.  Our work party was small today, only 5 people. We worked with the Forest Service crew, they cut up some logs on the hillside with their chainsaw while we prepared trenches for the sills for new puncheon. We were at a low spot and there was a lot of muck and mire for sure. We corrected the drainage as best we could before bringing the logs down to the work site. We hauled both the sills and stringers but we had to leave the work unfinished (needs drilling) as the FS crew was notching out our logs. WTA does not want volunteers anywhere near a chainsaw! The trail is beautiful right now, bright yellow skunk cabbage everywhere, yellow wood violets, trillium and the bright green of new grass and leaves. Woodpeckers and hummingbirds!  There has been new beaver activity, 2 new dams and across the pond, gnawed off trees. Such a short,easy level trail anybody can walk it!