Participants from the Mountaineers GoHike Course joined us on May 25, 2024, for a day of park stewardship and trail exploration.
Founded by Liz McNett Crowl and a friend, the GoHike Beginners Course began in 2020. The course offers hikes and urban walks and provides training on related topics such as gear, conditioning, nutrition, hydration, and trip planning.
The program is designed for new hikers and those returning to recreation after a break. The course provides an opportunity to start at an easy level and progress comfortably in a supportive and inclusive social environment.
Throughout the six-month course, participants engage in Low Impact Recreation and Land Management 101 e-learning courses, participate in a minimum of six hours of stewardship activities, and go on at least one organized trip per month.
Liz has been a long-time supporter of Skagit Trail Builders, dating back to our time at Little Mountain Park. Volunteering on our trail work crew aligns perfectly with the course’s stewardship requirement. It also introduces participants to a beautiful new location for easy hiking!
The GoHike participants come from all over Washington State, and we are honored to have them dedicate their time to our project.
During this work party, we divided the Mountaineers into two groups. One group went on a morning hike while the other group collaborated with our local volunteers in the Big Meadow. After lunch, we switched groups, leading a second hike while the remaining participants worked. At the end of the day, we came together to plant grass and wildflower seeds.
During our guided hikes, we learned about plants, salmon, the history of Northern State Hospital, and trail-building techniques. We also visited the site of the new bridge.
We would like to thank Liz for bringing out a curious, fun, and hard-working crew to contribute to our trail project!
Additionally, a special thanks goes to Skagit Trail Builders core volunteers Ellie, Michael, and Jenny for leading the hikes!
Skagit Trail Builders 
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