Spotlight on on Mount Baker
When you volunteer in the Mount Baker District, you'll join a community of fun-loving volunteers who come from Bellingham, Everett, and Seattle. They come for the scenery, sure. They also come for the camaraderie. Some come back again and again to work with WTA's chief Northwest Washington crew leader, Arlen Bogaards. And a few come because they feel a strong connection to the Mount Baker area.
Have you been dreaming of shoveling some dirt this summer? How about smoothing out a stretch of trail, or brushing out an overgrown path?
I know we've told you this before, but we'll tell you again. Trail maintenance is fun. It feels good to be outside in the mountains. You volunteer alongside some wonderful people. And at the end of the day, you see what you've accomplished, right there in front of you.
WTA hosts work parties statewide, but I want to make a pitch for volunteering in a special corner of our state -- in the shadow of Mount Baker, Washington's fourth tallest peak.
What makes Mount Baker so special? This rugged cone is graced with mature forests, lush undergrowth, ample berry patches and dramatic wildflower meadows. And where is the best place to view all this? From the trail, of course. With a shovel in hand.
But it's not just the scenery that you can look forward to. When you volunteer in the Mount Baker District, you'll join a community of fun-loving volunteers who come from Bellingham, Everett, and Seattle. They come for the scenery, sure. They also come for the camaraderie. Some come back again and again to work with WTA's chief Northwest Washington crew leader, Arlen Bogaards. And a few come because they feel a strong connection to the Mount Baker area... because they grew up hiking there, or see it looming in the horizon on their morning drive to work.
If we've intrigued you, head on over to Mount Baker territory to volunteer this summer. With great scenery and friendly folks, you won't be disappointed.
Here are a few upcoming work parties in the Mount Baker District.
Skyline Divide Trail, Saturday July 23 or Sunday July 24
This is certainly one of the most popular hikes on the Mt. Baker District. A brief but steady climb leads to open meadows with great views Mount Baker. We'll work on as much general maintenance as we can this weekend.
Sauk Lake Trail, Tuesday July 26 - Thursday July 28
Sauk Mountain rises above the confluence of the Skagit and Sauk rivers with spectacular summit views of the surrounding valleys and the snowy peaks of the North Cascades including Mt. Baker, Shuksan and Glacier Peak. A series of switchbacks through a massive avalanche chute climbs to the ridge just below the rocky summit. This is a backcountry, 3-day work party, and we will be camping at the lake and working on the trail between the ridge and the lake. The work will include retreading, drainage and brushing to improve the overall condition of the trail. Read about Backcountry Response Teams.
Yellow Aster Butte, Saturday July 30 or Sunday July 31
Mount Baker area. We'll work on annual maintenance needs on this trail - mainly rebuilding avalanche slide areas, as well as working on some erosion control and cutting back brush. You are welcome to join us for the full weekend or only one day.
You'll be happy you came out! For more about WTA's work parties at Mount Baker - or all around the state, check out our complete trail work party schedule here.
Comments