The plan for our Jan 10, 2026 volunteer work party

We are continuing our work on Port of Skagit property expanding the Northern State Trail System.

In November 2025, we completed our work on Winfield Trail. Our December work party was cancelled due to the flood event; however Port staff completed the lawn crossing and rock wall rebuild as planned. Now we are starting on a new section of trail: Quarry Trail.

Winfield Trail crossing the lawn to connect to Brickyard Creek Trail and the new Quarry Trail

Port staff have done an excellent job of routing the trail and roughing-in for us. It follows a slight ridge, passing the hospital’s original quarry and a low knoll before connecting to the Fire Service Rd. The Port plans to put up interpretive signage and (potentially) a bench at the quarry site. The Port’s contractor is building a spur trail to the top of South Knoll.

The trail plan is split into three sections (see map). At this work party we will be building a low rock wall at the entrance to section 1. At the same time, we’ll also be working the tread on section 3; raking organic debris into piles, grading trail tread, performing finish capping, decommissioning a temporary trail and naturalizing trail side.

Things to note:

Sections 1 and 3 will be finished at 3’ wide with 1’ of clearance on each side.
At this time of year, the NPD permit requires that soil exposed for more than 3 days be covered, so we will be covering any un-compacted soil before we leave for the day.
The Port intends to restore that area with native plants, so we do not need to expend much energy on removal of invasive species or trail-side restoration beyond the established 5’ trail corridor.

On January 10, 2026, volunteers with Skagit Trail Builders will be working on the Quarry Trail.

January 10, 2025 Volunteer Work Party Schedule

Guest Group: Sedro-Woolley High School Earth Club

8:00 am Our early team meets at the Port of Skagit tool shed.

8:45 am Volunteers Sign-in at the trailhead: Please note the new parking area for volunteers is located on the Fire Access Rd behind Trevennen Hall. Directions can be found here.

9:00 am:

Introductions, make announcements, explain today’s work, assign teams, safety talk.

Handout T-shirts and take a group photo.

9:30-noon: trail work

12-12:45 pm: lunch

1-3 pm: trail work

3 pm: clean up and organize tools

4:15 pm: Work party planning meeting (by invitation only)

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Our objectives for the day :

Build rock wall at entrance to section 1
Grade and level tread on section 3
Spread and compact mineral soil from South Knoll to Fire Access Rd
Decommission access trail below South Knoll
Trail side restoration on areas where capping is complete

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Teams

Friday Pre-Work

JT, Paul, Michael, Jerry, Craig, and Jeff

Description: Starting from the Fire Access Rd, fill most significant dips with ballast so the power carriers can be safely driven on the roughed-in trail. Apply final capping to 100 yds of trail, starting at the blue flagging west of South Knoll. This will allow volunteers to begin restoration work right away on Saturday.

Saturday Volunteer Work Party

Roving Crew Leader: Paul

Restoration Lead: Lynn

Number of volunteers:

Decommission temporary trail below South Knoll
Restoration work on completed trail, starting at South Knoll, working toward the Fire Access Rd.
At end of day, lightly cover any un-compacted soil on the trail with leaves.

Ballast Leads: Craig and Chloe

Number of volunteers: 6

Description: Working ahead of the mineral soil crew. Guide material delivery. Spread ballast on top of bare soil where needed to fill dips. Level and grade the soil in preparation for final capping.

Capping/Mineral Soil Leads: Jason and Amelia

Number of volunteers: 7

Description: Spread and level mineral soil on top of filled and graded soil, creating a slight crown or slope for drainage. Compact.

Rock Wall Lead: Jerry

Number of volunteers: 2-3

Description: Remove existing rock and grade trail at entrance. Gather rock from other areas of the trail and stage at entrance. Build low rock wall (2 rocks high) 10-12’ long on both sides. Can use power carrier or wheelbarrow to move materials

Power Carrier Drivers Lead: Kip

Drivers: 2

Description: Carry ballast and mineral soil between staging area and the work site.

Material staging and loading: JT

Photo & Video : Jenny

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**Additional teams may be determined on Friday afternoon after the conditions and materials are evaluated.

Skagit Trail Builders

Skagit Trail Builders is a program of United General District 304.

The trails at Northern State Recreation Area are the result of our partnership with Skagit County Parks and Recreation, the Port of Skagit, the City of Sedro-Woolley, and our incredible community of volunteers!