Join us Saturday, January 24, 2026 as we are continue building Quarry Trail on Port of Skagit property to expand the Northern State Trail System!

About the Project

Quarry Trail connects with Sedro-Woolley’s newly developed Olmsted Park, creating loops with Brickyard Creek Trail and Winfield Trails, passing landmarks from the Historic Northern State Hospital.

We got a lot done at our January 10 work party, including building a rock wall at the entrance to section 1, grading, capping and completing restoration work on most of section 3 and part of section 2.

The contractor is working on a spur trail to the top of the south knoll, but his machine work is done, so we’ll be finishing the trail below the knoll, along with finishing the grade and capping on section 3. Then moving on to sections 2 and 1.

Our objectives for the day :

1. Grade the hillside below the south knoll and cap/compact this segment of trail
2. Fill low spots between exposed bedrock on section 2 with rock and pit run.
3. Build three short rock walls above the quarry to support the trail tread and discourage trail users from walking off trail.
4. Decommission access trail below South Knoll
5. Restoration along completed trail
6. Smooth out and re-compact section 2 where the contractor left track marks

Things to note:

1. Sections 1 and 3 will be finished at 3’ wide with 1’ of clearance on each side.
2. Do not cut roots that are intact. Roots that have already been cut can be trimmed as needed.
3. 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 tread that hasn’t been capped or filled with ballast before we leave for the day.
4. The Port plans to restore that area with native plants, but we are free to transplant ferns where we feel they are needed, especially in the decommissioned access trail.
5. Any rocks left along the trail can be used by STB – they are not being saved by the Port or contractor.
6. Ground may be frozen in the shade, so that will affect our ability to complete some sections.

Schedule

8:45 am Sign-in at the trailhead for volunteers: 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:

JT & Paul will lead introductions, make announcements, and explain today’s work.

Jenny will explain the jobs and set-up the work groups.

Safety Talk : Chloe & Amelia

T-shirts & Group Photo

930-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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Teams

Roving Crew Leader: Paul

Restoration Lead: Lynn

Number of volunteers: TBD

Description: After capping is complete, decommission access trail below south knoll. Restoration work along completed segments of trail.

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. At the end of the day, smooth out and re-compact section 2 where the excavator left tire tracks.

Rock Wall Lead: Jerry and Jenny

Number of volunteers: 3-4

Description: In sections 2 & 3 filling voids between exposed bedrock as needed. Define the trail edge along the top of the quarry and build retention walls where needed.

Power Carrier Drivers: Kip and Michael

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

Material staging and loading: JT

Project Manager + Photo & Video : Jenny

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

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