Buck Creek Trail work party (& ride)
We have scheduled a Buck Creek Trail work day with DNR on Saturday, September 27th at 9am. We will be meeting at the big trail sign where the pavement ends and the gravel begins (see directions below). Please try to show up a few minutes early so we can get started as close to 9am as possible. If needed, we can create a second start time of 10 AM for those who can’t get up early.
As with years past, we will focus on brush clearing, limb removal and tree removal. If we have enough people show up we will work on a trail re-route to make the trail more intuitive as well as install some additional signage to help with way finding. We will be working for 3-4 hours with a mountain bike ride following. If you only have a couple of hours please feel free to spend whatever amount of time you can.
Unfortunately with tight budgets, DNR does not have many resources allocated to maintaining this trail, thus it is up to us. This is our one big work event this year and we need your help.
Partners for this event include DNR, CAMBA, Backcountry Horsemen Assoc, PUMP, Northwestern Cabin Owners Assoc, and other interested individuals.
If you have some tools please bring them…loppers, gloves, brush cutters, safety glasses, McCloud, Pulaski, etc. You may also want to bring a small pack to carry extra water, food and clothes as we may not be working close to the cars. Finally, if you have a small first aid kit, consider bringing it along. Safety first!
Please feel free to email me with questions
Ted Dodd, Buck Creek Site Steward
Buck Creek Directions:
Meeting Location: At the Buck Creek Trail sign at the four-way intersection of Lake View Rd & Nester Peak Rd (near Northwestern Lake).
Detailed directions: From Hood River cross the bridge to Washington. Turn left onto Hwy 14, Drive a couple miles, Turn right onto Hwy 141 connector road and proceed north. At the road merge with Hwy 141 go left and proceed North. Drive about 2 miles. Turn left at the sign for Northwestern Lake. Follow road down the hill & cross the bridge. The meeting place is at the trail map located at the 4-way intersection w/ Lakeview Rd.
Event update
BIG workday with multiple volunteers.
Recently I talked with Erin (DNR rep) and she agreed with our plan to build new section of trail on the Buck Creek Loop (see email below). The new trail (300’) will be a nice compliment to area know as known as the Lower Buck Creek Loop. This new section of trail will fix a problem spot where people often get lost.
The plan / agenda:
1. Meet at main Buck Creek trail sign near Northwestern Lake (9 AM)
2. Sign in and do introductions
3. Review projects, divide into work groups, drive to worksite
4. Work on the projects from 9:30 – 2 (approx 4 hours of actual work)
5. Regroup for thank you and swag give-away (2 PM)
6. *Optional mountain bike ride
Work projects
1. Build the new trail
2. Brush clearing and removal of downed trees on trail above Nestor Peak
Help needed:
1. Need work team leaders to lead several smaller groups
2. Need ride leaders for mtn bike ride
3. Need donations / swag (beverages, snacks, give away items)
4. Need help promoting this event
Let me know if you can attend this event and let me know if there are things that you can help with.
Volunteers make a difference!
Ted DReminder - Buck Creek - trail project
The Buck Creek Trail project is happening this weekend (Saturday).
Over the last 4 years I have worked hard to prove to DNR that this trail system is important to mountain bikers. Now is the time to show our commitement to this trail and show up in numbers. This will be the only major work party for this trail this year. Several people from DNR, the Back Country Horsemen, CAMBA, and the local cabin owners are planning to attend. It is a group effort to rebuild this trail system as well as build relationships with other user groups.
Work to be done - trail clearing with the goal of reopening more trail that currently closed.
Things to bring - cutting tools like lopper, hand saws, gloves, eye protection, and so on...
Work project is scheduled for 3-4 hours
Optional mountain bike ride following the workparty. So bring your bike
work party ride share
I'd like to carpool this weekend if anyone's interested. I currently have 3 open seats.
Dallas
206.271.2571
Project was a success!
14 people attended the work project plus a small team of DNR staff. Volunteers broke into two groups and tackled two projects.
Goals accomplished include:
- Brushing and tree removal along Penny Ridge as well as above Nestor Peak. Thus, opening more trail that was overgrown.
- Through our volunteer efforts we have strengthened our relationship with the Back Country Horsemen and DNR.
Points of interest:
1) DNR is working on two projects,one is a campsite improvement and installation of a bathroom near the Buck Creek Loop. Second is that they are improving the Trail Head Two area and working to restore a section of trail that was lost due to logging.
2) White Salmon Water Dept is currenty doing repairs to their water pipe. Thus, part of the Lower Buck Creek trail along the creek is closed during construction.
Ride Suggestions:
Opt 1 - Nestor Peak down to Buck Creek Valley (as an out and back)
Opt 2 - Penny Ridge down to Buck Creek Valley (as an out and back)
Opt 3 - Combine Opt 1 & Opt 2
Thanks again to all the volunteers that came out to help.
Through all of our small efforts we are making a big difference. Trails are getting better and are protecting the sport we love.
Sincerely,
Ted D