A dozen or more Back Country Horsemen of Washington (BCHW) and 18 Washington Trails Association (WTA) volunteers converged upon the Green River horse camp in the Mt. St. Helen’s National Monument, South of Randle Washington on June 20th, 2023.
BCHW’s Tony Karniss organized the roundup of trail workers, cooks, and pack stock riders for repairing old bridge decking on the Green River trail, Trail 213. WTA's Stasia Honnold provided administrative logistics and paid us a working visit.
The Green River Valley North of Mt. St. Helens has some of the best examples of PNW old growth forest. This valley lies in the blast zone of Mt. St Helens. Small yellow volcanic pumice marbles line creeks and trails in places. This is a primitive location with no facilities or services at the trail head.
Three bridges were re-decked and one was lifted and leveled. Tony helped construct these bridges over 22 years ago and therefore had a special connection to maintaining them.
In addition, two trail re-routes were constructed along the trail for safer stock access on the Green River valley trail. Great working weather made a big difference in productivity and attitudes. Cool to mild weather and no mosquitoes added to a pleasurable work trip.
The WTA crew camped about 2 miles from the trail head. These hard working volunteers were supported by equally hard working BCHW horse riders, leading pack stock carrying camping gear, tools and decking planks. The most appreciated cargo was the large BCHW lunch sandwiches and snacks the packers carried into the work camp each day. At 11:30 each day, everyone typically looked at their watch in hopes of seeing the lunch pack train or “Mulligan car” (a cantina wagon located on a wagon or rail car at a lumber camp) coming in.
The WTA crew searched for and found a couple of large 3’ cedar logs as a wood source for the 4”x10”x7’ decking planks. These were hand split and set by the trail for the packers to pick them up and deliver them to the bridges. They were then pre-drilled for spikes and nailed to the bridge stringers to replace the damaged decking planks. Three bridges, one 20’, one 24’ and one 65’, were completed in 3 days.
A big treat for everyone was a special prime rib dinner prepared by Tracie and BCHW cooking staff on Saturday afternoon. The salads and country/cowboy scalloped potatoes were also a big hit. A large slice of strawberry-rhubarb and or apple pie with ice cream topped off a tasty dinner at which nearly everyone overate.
Thanks again to all who participated to make this event among the best that BCHW and WTA can offer.
See and download photos at https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ezh1e1QH8VKA8erJ7
Gary Zink, WTA/BCHW
Comments
Anna Roth on Green River
What a fantastic trip report, thanks Gary! Sounds like a a great project, and what wonderful dinner from BCHW, too.
Posted by:
Anna Roth on Jun 28, 2023 02:21 PM