Partnerships and Cooperation Expand Impact of WTA's work

This year, WTA has completed several fantastic projects thanks to partnerships with land managers. Between weekend work parties, land manager trainings in exchange for rent and new trails, we're excited to share some updates with you.

A crew at Ghost Lake, which received maintenance for the first time in many years thanks to a partnership with Mount St. Helens Institute. Photo by Ryan Ojerio.

Snohomish County In-Kind Partnership

This year, we reached a unique in-kind agreement with Snohomish County Parks: In addition to various work parties on the county lands, WTA's sawyer program is training Snohomish County trail crews. WTA's North Puget Sound Trails coordinator Brandon Tigner spearheaded this agreement, which has its roots in 2021.

Brandon began by organizing work parties and scouting sessions at Lord Hill, and collaborated with Friends of Heybrook Ridge and the Ivy League Volunteer Stewardship Group. We did an introductory trail work party where we taught basic trail skills and more advanced sawyer work to attendees.

After those initial successes, WTA did dozens of work parties in Snohomish County, building trust by making key improvements at Lime Kiln, Flowing Lake and Kayak Point Parks.

Last year, crews at Flowing Lake decommissioned a puncheon (left), rebuilt it with volunteers and Snohomish County Parks staff (center) and made a gorgeous puncheon bridge that will keep hiker feet dry (right). Photo courtesy WTA archives.

We also hosted a workshop on bridge and puncheon maintenance for county rangers at Lime Kiln, offering a hands-on training and tips for building and maintaining critical trail structures.

As our partnership and work in Snohomish County expanded, so did our need for a dedicated tool cache in the North Puget Sound region. Early this year, Brandon reached out to the county about potential locations.

They responded enthusiastically with multiple options, and we are now thrilled to have a new North Puget Sound tool cache that serves as both storage and training facility, where WTA's Sawyer Program can provide training and certification to county rangers.

Major improvements at Kayak Point are just one of the many projects we're working on in Snohomish County. Photos courtesy Brandon Tigner.

Kara Underwood, Division Manager for Snohomish County Parks reflects on how the partnership has changed and grown.

"Our partnership with the WTA has been a great benefit to both sides. WTA has provided helpful training for our staff on trail maintenance, which has allowed us to keep our trails in good condition for public use. This collaboration helps us work together to maintain and improve outdoor spaces for everyone."

We're thrilled about this new step and happy to be continuing our work with the county into this and future years.

WTA staff visited the new tool cache to see our new location for trainings and tool storage. Photo by Andrew Bleeker.

New Trail at Port Gamble

Earlier this year, Kitsap County Parks announced the opening of the Stottlemeyer Trailhead at Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park. The new trailhead offers a new point of access, and a trail built by WTA connects the new trailhead to the extensive network of trails in the forest.

Happy volunteers at the ribbon cutting for the Port Gamble Heritage Forest Trail from the new Stottlemeyer Trailhead. Photo courtesy Dawn Rorvik

The new lot has 25 slots for cars as well as ADA accessible spaces and 5 pull-through stalls designed for horse trailers. The new trailhead offers direct access to many trails where visitors can immerse themselves in the park in whatever way they like, starting on a 0.4 mile trail WTA finished building earlier this year.

Crew leader Patrick Sullivan noted: "It was a real team effort. Six different crew leaders guided the project."

From scouting to completion, the work took nearly 25 days to complete. Kitsap County Park was thrilled about the finished product, saying:

"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all involved in making this project a reality, especially Washington Trails Association (WTA) for connecting this new trailhead to the vast trail network in the park. Your dedication and hard work have been instrumental to bringing this vision to life. See you at the trailhead!"

ICYMI — Midsummer improvements at Mount St. Helens

In July, WTA did our first-ever trail work Jamboree at Mount St. Helens in partnership with the Mount St . Helens' Institute. Over 3 days, 23 people worked on almost 7 miles of trails on the north side of the monument.

Being more remote, this side sees trail work less frequently than the south side, but this year's efforts restored access to quiet little Ghost Lake as well as the Boundary Trail, Bear Meadows, and other locations that had been in dire need of brushing.

So much brushing. Photo courtesy Ryan Ojerio.

Sarah Koppelman, Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager at Mount St. Helens Institute said:

"This event was such a fun way to bring our communities together, share in good times and learning, and make a real positive impact on Mount St. Helens trails...we're so thankful to all the volunteers who came out to help care for these special trails!"