Centennial Trail at Lake Cassidy
Day Work Party
Sat Mar 14, 2026: 8:30 AM — 3:30 PM
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Crew Leader: Doug Murray
Overview
WTA volunteer crews will help build a new ADA-accessible loop trail near Lake Cassidy, connecting to the Centennial Trail.
About the Area
The main section of the Centennial Trail, a paved trail that stretches through Snohomish to the Skagit county line. It follows the original route of the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway; sections of this railway have since been acquired by Nortern Pacific and Burlington Northern. The name is thanks to efforts by locals in the late eighties, who lobbied for a trail to be established in 1989, which was the year of Washington state's centennial.
What to Expect
We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.
Project Description
WTA volunteer crews will build a new ADA-accessible, gravel-surfaced loop trail that connects to the Centennial Trail near Lake Cassidy. Work will include clearing the trail corridor of vegetation, removing organic material down to buildable mineral soil, and hauling, spreading, and compacting gravel to create a durable tread surface. Crews will use mechanized equipment such as plate compactors and power wheelbarrows to move and install gravel efficiently. Volunteers will also construct two turnpikes and a wood retaining wall using dimensional lumber, rock, and gravel to support accessibility, long-term sustainability, and trail durability.
Hiking Information
Our hike to the project site is expected to be * 1 mile roundtrip over flat terrain
Schedule
- 8:30 AM: Be ready to sign in and meet the crew, rain or shine
- 8:35 AM: Gather for a safety briefing, then hike to the project site
- Morning: Work at your own pace, and take breaks throughout the day
- 12:00 PM: Lunch on the trail
- Afternoon: Consider trying a new task before wrapping up the day's work
- 3:30 PM: Sign out after enjoying refreshments at the trailhead
For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.
Planning Information
Get ready for a great day outside!
What it Takes to Do This Work Party
- No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! WTA provides the training and tools you need
- Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 6 hours on uneven terrain
- Recommended for ages 10 and older; under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and a parental consent form must be signed for anyone under 18
What to Wear
Required:
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes
- Work gloves
- Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, or safety glasses)
- Long pants
Recommended:
- Sturdy work or hiking boots
- Long sleeved shirt
A hard hat will be provided by WTA. Additionally, work gloves and eye protection will be provided by WTA if you do not have your own, but when possible we recommend bringing your own. For safety reasons, certain tasks may be assigned based on the safety level of your footwear. Volunteers who do not have long pants, or sturdy closed toes shoes, will not be able to participate in the work party.
What to Bring
- Lunch and plenty of water
- Rain jacket and pants
- Extra warm clothing in case of wet or cold weather
- A pack to carry your personal gear
- A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!
Firearms and weapons are not allowed.
More Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
- WTA's Trail Work Guide introduces the type of work you may do
- Contact us at volunteer@wta.org or 206.625.1367
From the Hiking Guide
See what WTA's hiking guide and trip reports say about this area.
Partners
Directions
Driving directions (from Everett, WA) to Getchell Trailhead
- Start in Everett. Get onto US-2 E.
- About 4 minutes / 1.1 miles
- Stay on US-2 E, then follow signs to WA-204 E and WA-9 N toward Lake Stevens/Lake Cassidy. Continue until you reach 84th St NE / Getchell Rd.
- About 14 minutes / 9.4 miles
- Continue on 84th St NE / Getchell Rd to the trailhead area on Westlund Rd.
- About 1 minute / 0.6 miles
Destination: Getchell Trailhead
Westlund Rd, Lake Stevens, WA 98258
Note: Please follow the written directions above instead of using a GPS device. This will ensure that you get to the correct meeting location for this work party. The location of the pinpoint below is only approximate.
Getting to WTA work parties can involve travel on rough, unpaved roads in areas without cellular service and without street addresses that can be accurately used by navigation devices. Unless specifically noted otherwise, routes can generally be traveled by all types of vehicles. Volunteers with limited experience driving on unpaved mountain roads may want to allow extra time, beyond what is recommended in the directions above, to get to the meeting location.
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