Upper Duckabush, LaCrosse Basin — Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019

Teamwork. That's what it took to get the trail from Upper Duckabush camp to Marmot Lake (and beyond) in great shape again. I just led a weeklong all-volunteer WTA crew to tend to this neglected trail that had gotten into terrible shape over the years. With downed trees, overgrown brush and lots of tread problems, it was not pleasant to hike.

The start of the work was 16.2 miles in (that's how far it is to Upper Duck camp). Our plan was to have a chain saw, power brusher and all the related accessories plus gas and bar oil. That is not possible to carry in that far with a small crew. Here is how it happened: the ONP trails supervisor hired WCC crews who cleared the N. Fork of the Skokomish to Upper Duck camp, and even brushed it from Camp Pleasant to First Divide! Yay because it was awful brush in there! They were able to do their work because ONP packers and mules hauled their gear and tools in and out for both 8-day tours.

This allowed the fantastic and skilled ONP packers to get our gear and tools to Upper Duck camp. Mind you, it's easy going to 9-Stream camp (9.8 miles in) but in no way can it be deemed easy to get from 9-Stream, over the Divide and down to Upper Duck camp with loaded mules. These packers are admirable and their mules in such good shape and so well trained. I am extremely impressed and appreciative.

Another part of the teamwork is that Tom Mix with the Peninsula Chapter of Backcountry Horsemen loaned us his power brusher tool that comes apart, so it can be packed in.

We went in a few days after they packed in our tools and gear and got to work. We tended the 3.7 miles from Upper Duck camp to Marmot lake and even cleared the downed trees that were between Marmot and Hart Lake junction.

We worked our butts off. Brushing thick heavy brush, fixing tread, clearing out creek crossings and making them easier to cross, cutting out downed trees, and cutting down thousands of small trees that had encroached and taken over the trail, especially in the 3/4 mile right below Marmot Lake.

We took this trail from something that was overgrown and difficult to hike to something that is a joy to stroll along, gazing at the glorious views of the Upper Duckabush valley heading into Lacrosse Basin.

It was miserably hot and the flies were simply awful. Other than that, we fully enjoyed our time giving back to the trails we love so much. We only had a crew of six, but due to diligence, long hours and the help of power tools, I still can't believe what we got done in addition to all the hiking just to get to work. We even managed to squeeze in a day off to enjoy the beautiful Lacrosse Basin.

We had to get our own gear and tools all back to 9-Stream for pickup by the packers. That was not a whole lot of fun, but - again - teamwork. This time there was a troop of Boy Scouts staying at Upper Duck camp and they each took one thing back to 9-Stream for us! That saved us from making 2 trips to 9-Stream and, therefore, were able to exit Friday night before the rains of yesterday. Yay for Scouts!

The berries were in season and getting better by the day during our tour.