Trail Work Update - June and July

Louis Lake trail is a very good example of co-operative efforts.  A lot of different work parties have battled with the trail which was burnt all the way to the lake, had numerous trees down and badly damaged tread. MVBCH, WTA, NW Youth Corp (funded by BCHW) all worked on it and the final 30 logs before the lake were taken out by two FS Wilderness Rangers.  The trail is now open and to the lake.  Care needs to be taken as more tread repairs are needed.

06/07 Louis Lake trail tread

06/24 NW Youth Corp on Louis Lake Trail

06/24 Louis Lake Trail.  Pete Stoothoff cutting out larger log than NW Youth Corp can manage.

2019 BCHW Hot Shot Crew Cookout

Our chapter sponsored a cookout dinner at the Robinson Creek Campground (just west of Mazama) on July 16th for Jason Ridlon and the BCHW 'Hot Shot' crew. We fed 40-45 people at the dinner! Jason had been able to secure a grant that helps to fund some of the crews' expenses and our 'welcome dinner' and MVBCH members' efforts were greatly appreciated!

The group also included Amber Goodman of the Forest Service as well as outfitter Aaron Burkhart and his packing crew who would pack food and horse feed pellets in for 3 separate work parties (Tatoosh Butte, the Pasayten airport, and a third work party about 6 miles north of the Pasayten airport). The plan was to clear segments of the Pacific Crest Trail that traverse the northern portion of our state.

A 4th crew was re-decking a bridge up Robinson Creek that burnt 2 years ago. They would travel into the wilderness every day hauling planks on their mules and then back to camp at night.

Chapter members who helped and/or brought food were President Cathy Upper, Jackie Iddings, Mark Brantner, Carol Hebert, Bill and Jan Ford, Mary McHugh, Betty Wagoner and her daughter (and MVBCH member) Jill Freeze. Our 'master steak BBQ-er' was member George Schoenfeld with the help of his wife Michelle Schmidtke!    

The "Kids Ride" at Beaver Creek

The MVBCH chapter sponsored a "Kids' Ride" (Yep—just for kids!) on June 28th at the Beaver Creek Campground. It wasn't a big crowd, but enough for plenty of fun! Member Betty Wagoner organized the event and member Michelle Schmidtke was the lead rider. Roger Hammer had his daughter Katie and two grandchildren, Heather MacArthur and 'Gramma Mary McHugh' brought Pearl up to ride. 

They went out for about one and a half hours and then retuned to Camp for hot dogs, chips, salad and drinks. They also had a fun time 'roasting' marshmallows on the grill and making S'mores. President Cathy Upper had brought one of our chapter's grills to cook the hot dogs (fire restrictions had not gone into effect yet).

Joining the group at the campground were Rachael Munis with her 2 young daughters and the daughters' Grandmother Dianna Painter, Ann Port, Mark Brantner, President Cathy and, of course, Betty. Everyone had a great time and were glad our chapter would promote a youth activity. And, there were even requests for another ride next year! Good job!  

2019 Rendezvous Hut Ride

Ever think it sure would be fun to just ride your horse up and stay in a Rendezvous Hut cabin? The best part is the 4-wheeled 'pack horse' that carries your food, horse feed, and camping gear up for you!

Well, these gals do an annual trip up to the Rendezvous — Jill Freeze, Sarah Sweetser, Bev Masteller come from Davenport and Marion Webster comes from Seattle to join locals Julie Johnson, Julie Hensley, our blind (oh, excuse me — our rider that just can't see!), Sue Robbins, Cathy Upper, Lori Ulner, Kay MacCready and Betty Wagoner (our truck driver). Yep, every year! 

It was a warm and sunny day...

It was a warm, sunny day in July so Cathy Upper, Ashley Ahearn, and DK Williams spent some time cleaning up the Crystal Lake Trail. Looks like they could have used a brush mower!😉

Trail Work up Twisp River May 27 to June 13

Twisp River Trail is now completely logged out (about 15 miles) – until more burnt trees fall down.  This has taken MVBCH approximately 181 volunteer hours to date from early May, and given those involved a lot of exercise! 

In earlier posts we spoke of work at the east end of Twisp River Trail (TRT) and logging out South Creek/Louis Lake Trail and Twisp Pass Trail to the wilderness boundary.  Since then, trail work has concentrated on the west end of TRT, and North Creek Trail has been cut out to the wilderness boundary. The three trails cut out to the wilderness boundary were completed, as hoped, by the time the Washington Trails Association (WTA) team arrived at Poplar Flat on June 1 for a week; thus the WTA could concentrate on cutting out in the wilderness.

TRT E from whale culvert

TRT E from whale culvert. Source of fire, Crescent Mountain, in background.