Author Archives: Skagit Trail Builders

2019: Breaking Ground on Hill Creek Trail

During the winter of 2018-2019, we broke ground on Hill Creek Trail at Northern State Recreation Area. 🤓 (Side note! At the time, it was being called the “Pumphouse Trail” because of the historic pump house it runs adjacent to. In May 2025, it was renamed Hill Creek Trail). It connects to the north andContinue reading “2019: Breaking Ground on Hill Creek Trail”

2019: Building Dovetail Bridge

Skagit Trail Builders started working on the Northern State Trail System in 2019. After spending a few work parties breaking ground on the Pump House Trail (now renamed Hill Creek Trail), they built the Dovetail Bridge. This bridge is an essential connector for the Northern State Trail System, linking SWIFT Center and the Historic HospitalContinue reading “2019: Building Dovetail Bridge”

Trail Update: Build Year Report 2024-2025

Our 2024-2025 Build Year was our best year yet. We hosted 18 work parties engaging with 205 volunteers who donated over 4,000 hours of their time. 18% of our volunteer hours were contributed by youth under the age of 18! 25% of hours came from college and career-age people, 18-49. 57% of hours were givenContinue reading “Trail Update: Build Year Report 2024-2025”

Join us at Northern State Hospital for Public History Day July 26 2025

Join us on Saturday, July 26 for Public History Day at Northern State Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. Pre-register for a free tour of the Colman Ward. Learn from speakers and displays, explore the historic hospital with a self-guided walking tour, and purchase books. The event opens at 9:30 am. Bring a picnic lunch and aContinue reading “Join us at Northern State Hospital for Public History Day July 26 2025”

Trail Update: Proposed Trails on Port of Skagit Property

Our work at Northern State Recreation Area is nearly complete. We are excited about our upcoming plans on Port of Skagit property! This summer our leadership team will wrap up a few projects at NSRA, including installation of a Wind Phone. On Sept 13, 2025 we will host our final volunteer work party in theContinue reading “Trail Update: Proposed Trails on Port of Skagit Property”

Trail Update: Record-Setting Attendance at our Final Work Party of the Season

We concluded our build season with record-setting attendance! Fifty-six volunteers brought their enthusiasm, energy, and positive vibes to the final workday of the 2024-2025 build season, June 28, helping us achieve our goals. 🌿 We completed the planned restoration work at the Pump House Bridge, planting ferns and spreading topsoil. 🌿 We successfully raised andContinue reading “Trail Update: Record-Setting Attendance at our Final Work Party of the Season”

New Power Carrier! Thanks to the Skagit Community Foundation and United General District 304

We are thrilled to have been awarded a generous grant by the Skagit Community Foundation that enabled us to purchase a new Canycom power carrier! This funding represents far more than financial backing; it demonstrates the community’s support for our mission and the incredible work of our volunteers and partners. This essential piece of equipmentContinue reading “New Power Carrier! Thanks to the Skagit Community Foundation and United General District 304”

Trail Update: Work Party Plan for Saturday, June 28

Only one volunteer work party (June 28) left before we break for summer. ☀️ Over the summer our leadership team will finish up the wind phone, a few small projects identified in our scope of work, and our build plan for fall. In September we will dedicate one more volunteer session to preparing the trailContinue reading “Trail Update: Work Party Plan for Saturday, June 28”

Video: Beautiful rock work and fern plantings at the Pump House Bridge

What is the difference between a path that gets you from point A to point B and a trail that brings you joy and fills your soul? Beauty! On Saturday, June 14, twenty eight volunteers joined us for a day of trail beautification. One team worked on Pump House Loop, raking up organic debris fromContinue reading “Video: Beautiful rock work and fern plantings at the Pump House Bridge”