Stewardship - Church Creek–Satsop Lakes

Last fall, we re-established the western part of this trail above the shore of Satsop Lake, which had become completely overgrown, cutting the grass, weeds and brush down to the ground.  Now we want to follow up with grub hoes and rakes, taking the tread down to mineral soil. In addition, we will want to remove any logs on the trail between the west trailhead and the height of land.  We may do some brushing and re-benching as well.  We plan to scout this trail in May to come up with a specific to-do list and plan of action.

The listed distance and elevation gain are from the west trailhead to the height of land bordering the Skokomish watershed. Most of the participants will be working closer to the trailhead.

When you sign up, in your registration notes, please indicate if you prefer to work within a mile of the trailhead (hoeing and raking), or to brush and re-bench up to two miles in, or to work with a saw team up to two miles in. Please indicate if you have a US Forest Service sawyer certification. We are willing to give instruction and experience to those who wish to learn, including those not yet credentialed.

We plan on being back at the trailhead by 3:00 pm to clean tools, de-brief and have drinks and snacks. Optional stop for a milkshake and/or burger at Gene's in Montesano on the way home.

Priority registration note: This trip will open on April 24 for registration by email for those students registered for courses requiring a Stewardship badge. Course students, please email the leader starting April 24 and prior to May 8 to be added to the roster during the priority period. Please identify your course. On May 8, it will open for online registration for all participants, including non-students, who can register themselves directly online.

This is an adult (age 18 or over) activity. Youths age 14 and up may register with a parent or guardian who is also registering  and who will be present and will be primarily responsible for their supervision, under Mountaineers' policies for youth participating in adult programs.  Parent or guardian must be sure that youth will heed and follow instructions of trip leaders and other responsible adults.  Some of the work has potential for serious physical injury if instructions and precautions are not followed.  Children 12 to 14 may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact trip leader. Youths must be Mountaineers members, and their parents or guardians must complete the liability waiver and release, youth information form and youth in adult program form. Please enter the date of birth of registrant under 18 in "Registration Notes".  The leader is a Mountaineers Qualified Youth Leader.

For more information on registration and any other aspects of the trip, please email trail crew leader Mike Forsyth at <adktripper@earthlink.net>.

Meeting at 7:00 am at Haggen's, 1313 Cooper Point Rd SW,  Olympia, in front of the blue mail box and white ballot drop box.  Driving time is about two hours.  Driving distance is about 75 miles from Haggens.  The last 9 miles is on gravel Forest Service roads.   Good ground clearance is needed on last five miles.  Most SUVs and pickup trucks and vehicles with 7 inches or more of ground clearance should have no problem.  Trailhead parking is limited.  Day pass for trailhead parking will be provided. Specific directions will be emailed a few days before the trip.  Participants can carpool.  For info on good carpooling practices and how to contact other participants for carpooling, please see this Mountaineers article on "Carpooling and Mountaineers Activities/Courses": https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/how-to-opt-in-for-carpooling