Spend National Public Lands Day on Trail with WTA

On September 29 join Washington Trails Association as a volunteer on one of seven trails we will be maintaining that weekend in celebration of National Public Lands Day.

The 19^th annual National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single day stewardship event for public lands. In 2011, more than 170,000 volunteers worked at 2,067 sites in every state in the country. It is also a fee-free day for national parks, national forests and Washington State Parks.

Local groups like Washington Trails Association (WTA) are a key part of this nationwide celebration of our public lands. This year, WTA will be fielding seven trail work parties around the state with about 200 volunteer participants. The work will cap off a great summer of volunteer accomplishments for WTA.

In 2012, more than 2,200 volunteers have helped maintain 170 trails statewide. In July and August alone, when there were several work crews out at the same time, WTA fielded 389 days of work on public lands.

To celebrate the end of a great summer, Washington Trails Association is hosting seven volunteer trail work parties on some of the most iconic hiking trails in the state this National Public Lands Day. No prior experience is necessary, just a desire to help out and have fun. All work parties begin at the trailhead at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Volunteers should bring their lunch and water, work gloves and wear sturdy shoes. Tools, hardhats and training are provided.

Join us on one of WTA’s National Public Lands Day volunteer work parties

Heather Meadows area trails, Mount Baker Ranger District: Nine months of snow takes a toll on the trails at Mount Baker each year. Take in the fabulous fall color and the short window of opportunity to tackle maintenance issues at one of the four-star trails in the Heather Meadow area near the ski hill. Details.

Pacific Crest Trail, Skykomish Ranger District: The PCT needs some love as it heads south from Stevens Pass through the ski area and beyond. Crews will be doing annual maintenance, such as brushing and clearing drainage. Details.

Taylor Mountain, King County Parks: Calling all families! In partnership with the Cedar River Watershed, WTA is fielding a special family and youth work party at this county park in the Cascade foothills. Bring the kids (10 and up) for some trail work, habitat restoration and a native plant walk. Details.

Upper Big Quilcene Trail, Olympic National Forest: The trail to Marmot Pass runs through towering old growth forest that gets plenty of rain nine months of the year. Volunteers will be helping with drainage projects on this stretch of trail. Details.

Frozen Lake – Wonderland Trail, Mount Rainier National Park: Thousands of hikers took to the trails around the Sunrise Visitor Center this summer. Enjoy amazing views of The Mountain while you maintain the trail from Sunrise Campground to Frozen Lake. Details.

Ape Caves, Mount St. Helens National Monument:  Be a trailblazer! WTA will be breaking ground on a new viewpoint trail at this popular day use area on the south side of the Monument. Details.

Liberty Lake, Spokane County Parks. WTA volunteers are working on some major improvements to this lovely 7.5 mile loop trail a half hour outside of Spokane. Details.