Before and after: Trails get a glow-up from WTA crews

Nearly halfway through the year (what, how is that possible), WTA has done more than 350 work parties. So far, we've re-opened trails from winter storms, improved staircases, cleared trails even put in a belay pad at a climbing area!

Wallace Falls — Woody Trail stair improvement!

It took 12 work parties and 91 volunteers working in all types of weather but the Woody Trail at Wallace Falls has a realigned and improved set of stairs! Come take a look for yourself, and if you're inspired, write a trip report like this hiker did.

Gritscone climbing crag belay platform

A before and after of the climbing area at Dirty Harrys — get a load of those steps! Photos courtesy Zack Sklar.

In a project that's outside our normal scope of work, WTA assisted the Department of Natural Resources and Climbers of Color with constructing a belay platform at the popular Dirty Harry's Climbing Area. In just one day, 17 people cut out massive stumps and moved literal tons of rock — our crew leader estimated it was 18,000 pounds!

This project was done by our Lost Trails Found crew, who warmed up with this close-to-town project before they turn their attention to the high country later this season.

Turtleback Mountain — miles of smiles (and tread)

One of our first backcountry response teams of the year got some trail building and regrading done on the Morning Ridge trail, totaling 1,200 feet of tread, all of which offers gorgeous views of the surrounding area. The crew also built 200 total feet of rock wall along sections of the trail, making for a sturdy trail that will last for years to come.

Cape Disappointment — A wet but rewarding weekend on the Washington coast

Just one of the MANY projects that some hardy volunteers accomplished over three very wet days at Cape Disappointment State Park. Photo by James Alexander.

A champion weekend work party did some incredible work at Cape Disappointment in just three days! They installed 63 new drains, cleaned 34 existing drains, repaired 91 feet of walking surface, brushed 4,435 feet of vegetation, removed one rotten log, cleaned 23 feet of stairs, and repaired 7 feet of boardwalk. Whew! That's a lot. But it's just in time; Cape Disappointment is a perennial favorite, and a lot of folks are going to want to visit this area over the summer!

Tucannon Logout — A rugged car camp and logout

Midway through the log removal process on the Panjab trail. Note the two trees in an 'X' in the background of the left photo have been removed. The log in the right photo on trail was the last one the crew removed on the trip! Photo courtesy Caleb Pilcher.

Initially a volunteer vacation, this trip turned hardier when it shifted to a car camp BCRT. A tough crew hiked up to to 6 miles on the Panjab Trail from the Tucannon Guard State each day for 5 days to clear the way of downed logs and brush. The Rattlesnake-Panjab loop is an eastern Washington favorite, so we know hikers in that part of the state are kicking up their heels in thanks!

Big Rock Park South — Ribbon cutting for a new trail in Sammamish

The property donor of Big Rock Park south cuts the ribbon on this last parcel that is joining Big Rock Park north and central to create a large new greenspace in Sammamish. Photo by Victoria Obermeyer.

In April, WTA collaborated with the City of Sammamish to open over a quarter mile of new trails in a new section of Big Rock Park. The completed project connects to 4 miles of trail throughout Big Rock's north and central sections. As a city-managed green space within walking distance of a population center, Big Rock Park is a Trail Next Door, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the benefits of nature. The once private property is now available for the public to enjoy for generations to come.

Crew Leader College

May marks WTA's annual Crew Leader College, a weekend when all of WTA's crew leaders come together to share trail knowledge so we can continue teaching volunteers the best way to maintain the trails we love.

We did it all and had a blast. We revisited the basics of trail maintenance, tackled rigging concepts (remember learning simple machines in school? turns out we DO use them in everyday life!), practiced rock wall building and learned how to pack a horse for those long trips into the backcountry — along with plenty of other skills. We've got more than 700 work parties to do for the rest of the year, and we're refreshed and ready for it!