From the St. Helens to the Gorge, WTA is bringing new and improved trails to Southwest Washington
In collaboration with hundreds of local volunteers, partner organizations and public lands staff, WTA is hard at work building and improving trails from residential Vancouver to the Mount St. Helens backcountry.
If you hike in Southwest Washington, chances are you’ve hiked a trail maintained by Washington Trails Association. In collaboration with hundreds of local volunteers, partner organizations and public lands staff, WTA is hard at work building and improving trails from residential Vancouver to the Mount St. Helens backcountry.
Here are five ways WTA and your neighbors are coming together to take care of trails and public lands near you:
1. Common ground in Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Washington Trails Association has been working the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and other trail users to help create the forest's sustainable trails plan. Photo by Todd Folsom Picasa.
WTA played a major role in the creation of a sustainable trails system strategic plan in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. A variety of trail users, such as mountain bikers and recreators of different abilities, are all getting the opportunity to provide input into the process, ensuring a more sustainable trail system for all. Check out our story map to learn more.
2. New local trails lower barriers to nature
Volunteer crew leader Emma Royce cuts the ribbon on the new trail at Behrens Woods in Vancouver, WA.
Recognizing the numerous benefits of spending time outside, the City of Vancouver’s NatureSpaces program works to increase access to nature by investing in green spaces. When it came time to build a new, wheelchair-friendly trail at Behrens Woods park in the Bella Vista neighborhood, the city brought in WTA to provide trail-design expertise and an enthusiastic volunteer community — with powerful results. Behrens Woods is a prime example of an accessible local trail, bringing nature close to home for the surrounding community.
“I’d like to think that because of the work WTA did there, more people will discover [Behrens Woods]," said Kathy Garmus, a WTA volunteer from Vancouver. "Perhaps it’ll be a young child’s first introduction to a woodland landscape. The start of a lifelong love of the outdoors might be Behrens Woods.”
3. St. Helens jamborees restore backcountry trails & build community
A satisfied trail crew at the Mount St. Helens Jamboree.
In 2024, trail crews brought back over 7 miles of trail to usable condition in the Mount St. Helens area in just 3 days as part of a trail work jamboree. Many miles of trails in the Mount St. Helens area are in need of maintenance due to their remote location and the geography of the region. At a jamboree, participants camp for several nights at a central location and crew leaders offer various options for trail work. The base camp is for staging, and also for fun activities such as making s’mores, playing games, and learning together. The 2024 jamboree was so successful that the Southwest team hosted 2 in 2025 as well – one at Mount St. Helens and one at Mount Adams.
4. A future for forest roads to Silver Star and statewide
Hikers flock to Silver Star in the spring because of the gorgeous wildflower displays. Photo from WTA archives.
Forest roads are essential connections to the places we love to hike — but the deteriorating condition of many roads is eroding access to our public lands. In April, WTA published a report to bring attention to 10 Washington roads in desperate need of repair, including Forest Road 4109 in the Silver Star area. The roads report continues to bolster our advocacy for public lands funding.
5. Keeping it Gorge-ous
Lyle Cherry Orchard is one of the many beloved Southwest Washington spots Friends of the Columbia Gorge and WTA have improved hand-in-hand. Photo by Heidi Walker.
WTA works hand-in-hand with Friends of the Columbia Gorge to protect and enhance trail experiences — from new loops at Lyle Cherry Orchard, to inclusive access projects to the long-term Gorge Towns to Trails vision. Friends of the Gorge caught up with Ryan Ojerio, WTA’s southwest regional manager, about the exciting trail improvements our organizations are bringing to the Gorge together.
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