Author Archives: Skagit Trail Builders

Volunteer sessions resumed on October 10th. Ballast rock, shown in the last post, was covered with 5/8″ minus crushed. Capping will continue at the upcoming session. That October 24th session is full, but spots on both the November 14th and December 12th sessions remain open. Hopefully we will be able to add a third groupContinue reading “More Volunteers are Needed…”

On Saturday October 10th volunteer sessions resumed. Above is that ballast rock that we capped, seen in our session gallery. Our next session is October 24th. We will be capping again, but loading power carriers with a machine, and compacting with a plate compactor. Machine loading will increase our material moving capacity, while freeing upContinue reading “October 10th, 2020…”

You can see what’s planned for the next few sessions. Hardened tails can be enjoyed year round, and remain sustainable for generations. Volunteering during the virus will be challenging, but we feel fortunate, United General is working with us to create our safety protocol. “Special session” volunteers are asked to arrive in a mask. WeContinue reading “Work Resumes on 10/10/20…”

In mid-October we will go back to work. Why October? Because having moisture in the ground helps us as we work to harden a trail tread. Our first project will be capping the Pumphouse Trail. We will need help filling buckets, that will be loaded in the power carrier, and taken to the trail forContinue reading “Summer’s Over, Back to Work…”

Shown above is, Jerry, Marcelino, Romel and Bret – sitting atop the rock wall that we had just completed. Five of us had attended this special session on Saturday, August 15th. Building this last rock wall wall on the Pumphouse Trail went well, as the photos show. On July 31st we resumed work with ourContinue reading “The Rock Walls Are Done…”

Shown above, Bret Turner and Steve Granahan are heading to the trailhead. Five of us attended this special session on Friday, July 31st. Back in March, public volunteer sessions had to be put on hold. Months later, operating under Skagit County’s phase two guidelines, a few of us slowly eased back into volunteering. This wasContinue reading “STB Trail Work Resumes…”

While “public” volunteer sessions remain on hold, machine rough-in of trails continues. Jerry, our crew leader, stands mid-trail (above) on a new trail that work began on earlier this month. At the same time, Skagit County is improving the Veteran’s Park, and United General District 304 is launching a social media campaign for us. WeContinue reading “Work on a “New Trail” Begins…”

“Public” volunteer sessions remain on hold, and will be kept on hold through Summer – but trail work is being completed. Pictured above Jerry Granahan, our crew leader, stands at the North end of the Pump House Trail. Our friend Art Tuftee has been at work, machine building – under contract. His work is beautiful,Continue reading “FINALLY, Some “Good” News!”

On March 13th, 2020 local authorities advised that public events of over ten people should be cancelled. Later the statewide stay-at-home order came, that led to cancelling April sessions. We look forward to guidelines being eased, but for now – larger volunteer sessions still are not possible. Guidelines for volunteering safely will be needed. ThroughContinue reading “Volunteer sessions through summer 2020 are suspended due to global pandemic.”

Mid-day Friday, March 13th, we were informed by local authorities that public events of “over ten people” should be cancelled, even if outdoors. Before this setback we were gaining momentum. Skagit Valley College’s Wildland Firefighting Class (shown above) had joined us on Sunday, March 1st, to rough-in Phase II of the Pump House Trail. AsContinue reading “Sorry, the 3/14/20 Session had to be CANCELLED.”