Red Bluff BCRT: Saving Trails in Colville National Forest

Recently, a group of tenacious WTA volunteers made gorgeous improvements on a Backcountry Response Team (BCRT) at the Red Bluff trail in Colville National Forest. Over four days, they replaced a worn-out bridge on the Red Bluff Trail with a 25-foot structure known as a turnpike. This new trail structure will keep hikers' and horses' feet dry as they explore this trail near the scenic Shedroof Divide.

Dave Drum with the Forest Service in the Colville was impressed by the work that was done. In fact, he told crew leader Holly Weiler, "Your crew did an excellent job on the Red Bluff project. Hope you had fun, I'm very impressed, come work on our forest anytime!"

Assistant crew leader Todd Dunfield documented the fun and great work; check out his pictures below.

The bridge before WTA got to the project. We needed to make this passable for both hiker and stock.

Splitting logs for the decking (the part that you walk on) of the bridge.

Prepping the decking to go onto the turnpike, visible in the background of the photo.

The turnpike coming together. Gravel is placed in the wood crib, then dirt filled in and decking placed on top of it all.

Volunteers are all smiles as the turnpike comes together.

The crew poses on their completed turnpike.

Packers and horses with Back Country Horsemen of Washington (who help WTA pack tools out) test out stock-friendliness of the completed turnpike.