WTA Breaks Ground on New Trail Thanks to Planning, Funding, Volunteer Power
Last week, WTA volunteers cut brush, dug new tread and built retaining walls to begin work on a new 15-mile loop trail around Olsen Creek in Whatcom County. This trail, and the opportunities to get outdoors that it will create, is made possible by years of work by WTA and our partners.
Hikers have consistently told us that they want more trails connecting Lake Whatcom and Mount Baker with Bellingham. Thanks to years of investment from WTA staff and volunteers, government agencies and additional partners, they'll get one in the near future!
WTA staff and volunteers begin work on a new loop trail around Olsen Creek in Whatcom County. Photo by Arlen Bogaards.
Last week, WTA volunteers cut brush, dug new tread and built retaining walls to begin work on a new 15-mile loop trail around Olsen Creek in Whatcom County. This trail, and the opportunities to get outdoors that it will create, is made possible by years of work by WTA and our partners, as part of the Baker to Bellingham Non-Motorized Recreation Plan, a project of Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
When completed, the Olsen Creek trail system will provide some of the first sanctioned hiking trails on DNR land in Whatcom County.
Reimagining trail systems
Back in 2016, the DNR assembled a public advisory committee to create a plan for recreation opportunities in that region over the next decade. Arlen Bogaards, WTA’s northwest regional manager, represented hikers on that committee.
“It's been a real eye opener for me to see the amount of work and time that goes into a recreation plan such as this,” Arlen said. “Recreation needs to fit in that landscape without being detrimental to wildlife, water and sustainability.”
After 3 years of collaboration and gathering public input, the DNR published the Baker to Bellingham Non-Motorized Recreation Plan in 2019. Olsen Creek is the first trail from that plan to begin construction after receiving funding earlier this year.
“Thank you for your diligence during the planning process, and for your support over the past several years during our search for funding to make this project a reality,” said Hyden McKown, DNR’s Baker District recreation manager. "We would not have gotten to this point without your guidance and care for developing recreation in Whatcom County.”
Olsen Creek trail, between Sewart Mountain and Lake Whatcom, is one project in the larger Baker to Bellingham Recreation Plan to improve access to DNR managed lands displayed in green. Map courtesy of Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Trails need funding
Determining a plan for what trails and infrastructure the area needed took years. But that planning was only one step in the effort to create new opportunities to get outdoors. Making the work in the Baker to Bellingham plan a reality requires funding.
“It's been a long slog since the plan was adopted with no funding attached to it,” Arlen said. “DNR staff had to get creative as the existing recreation continued to be managed while attempting to plan for this new opportunity.”
WTA’s advocacy team and hikers in our Trail Action Network supported our partners at DNR in expressing the agency's need for resources. It paid off this past spring when the Washington state legislature approved the funds that are now kickstarting work on Olsen Creek trail.
The Baker to Bellingham plan will open access to land on the side of Stewart Mountain that’s north of Lake Whatcom Park. Photo of Lake Whatcom by trip reporter ToddlerTrekking.
Breaking ground to make trails a reality
The new Olsen Creek loop will open access to a nearly 3,500 acre parcel that straddles Olsen Creek as it makes its way down Stewart Mountain.
DNR, WTA and other partners are working together to build a sustainable trail system on this landscape.
Heavy trail work will wrap up this fall and resume again in the spring. The plan is to complete phase one of the project by the end of 2024. Goals include moving sections of user-built trail that trespass on private property, rerouting sections away from sensitive wetland habitat, designing trails to prevent erosion and creating new trails to meet the needs of hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers, all while reducing user conflicts.
Future phases will require additional funding for a bridge to complete the loop and the addition of a trailhead.
“WTA staff and volunteers have been involved in the planning, design and layout of this trail system and we're excited to see this become reality!” Arlen said.
Rebooting popular trails around the state
WTA’s Trails Rebooted campaign supports popular recreation areas by improving existing trails, championing the construction of new ones and empowering hikers to play an active part in stewarding the places they love.
WTA is making it easier, safer and more sustainable for hikers like you to get outdoors all across the state by planning trail systems with government, nonprofit and community partners; advocating at the state, federal and local levels for needed funding; and providing the expertise and labor to build trails.
Check out what we’ve been up to at Mica Peak and Antoine Peak Conservation Areas, in the Teanaway Community Forest, in Wild Sky Wilderness, and on Silver Star Mountain. Then join WTA’s Trail Action Network to play your part in ensuring the future of trails in our state.
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