Author Archives: Skagit Trail Builders

Pictured above, our first bridge user, immediately following final cleanup on the morning of August 27, 2019. We love the new bridge! It reconnects the historic Northern State Hospital site to the land inmates once farmed. Art Tuftee and Jerry Granahan led the project. Eleven volunteers put in 250 hours, completing it in less thanContinue reading “The Bridge Is Done!”

Compared to the first session our turnout was comparatively light. Beyond the light turnout our photographer had a conflict, so we don’t have photos. Every once in a while the real world collides with a volunteer session. Please excuse our absence of photos, we had a productive session. Our volunteers all worked very hard. WeContinue reading “Second “public” session (6/8/19) …”

The building of a bridge to link County and Port properties has been approved. Construction will begin next month. This is great news! Historic abutments exist, so on them stringers will be rested and secured. The railing assemblies (built offsite) will be moved in and attached, before installing decking. It is the same design thatContinue reading “Restoring a “Historic Link”…”

Pictured above, from left to right: Leslie Estep, Germaine Kornegay and Gretchen Cohan. My guess is that Germain’s thumbs up was all about Leslie’s amazing lunch. Thanks Leslie and Roger, hard work and great food go together! Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy was our guest group again, making a second appearance in consecutiveContinue reading “The first “public” session (5/12/19) …”

Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy demonstrated that great work can be done rain or shine. Above, on Saturday April 13, 2019, Job Corps volunteers (at this special session) stand on top of their work. We got a lot done, pushing through some really tough weather – with smiles. The mud that you seeContinue reading “Cascades Job Corps students and faculty, on a wet day (4/13/19) …”

Skagit Valley College’s Wildland Firefighting Class came back. This second class, that was much larger, continued work on the Pump House Trail. With over three times as many students, and great weather (as you can see) – it made for a productive day. The next session is with Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy onContinue reading “Skagit Valley College’s Wildland Firefighing Class (3/3/19) …”

The Pump-house Trail is under construction. On December 9th, 2018 work on the NSRA Trails Project began, it’s official – WE ARE DIGGING! This Skagit Valley College Wildland Firefighting Class is a “special” non-public session. It was led by Ryan Rettinghouse, a DNR Fire Crew Trainer, he is in the red hardhat – with his sixContinue reading “Skagit Valley College’s Wildland Firefighing Class (12/9/18) …”

Great news, our first ‘public’ volunteer session is scheduled for May 11th. Budgets, contracts and trail projects have firmed up, so building is on the horizon. Pictured here Art Tuftee stands with tools purchased by Skagit County Parks & Recreation, being stored onsite by the Port of Skagit. This is great, thanks! Funding volunteer sessionsContinue reading “Ready, Set, Go – NSRA Trails …”