Stewardship - Coldwater Lake

This is the 7th year for this very popular Mountaineers Stewardship activity! Each day we will be working in a slightly different area eradicating invasive plants such as scotchbroom, tansy, herb Robert, and more. Work party areas will be from the Mt St Helens Institute down to Coldwater Lake, from Coldwater Lakes Trail to Elk Bench, and possibly some work at Hummocks/Boundary 1 trail. Plan on arriving to the Mt St Helens Institute Learning and Science Center by 8am, welcome is at 8:15am and tool safety begins at 8:30. Cowlitz County will be joining us on one or two days.

The work includes removing young nonnative species by either: sawing/cutting down, digging out, clipping and bagging seed heads. No experience required. Olympia Mountaineers in partnership with Cowlitz County Noxious Weed Contril will provide instruction and tools and will lead our volunteer crew. Our hike to the worksites is expected to be 1-5 miles roundtrip each day over rolling terrain. Participants will earn the Mountaineers Stewardship badge and volunteer credit hours.

Sign up for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, or all three days. Group camping is available for participants on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Additional information, including camping details. Please make sure that your Mountaineers Waiver is signed and up to date. Registered participants will be sent follow up emails prior to the trip to include updated weather information, etc. After our work is done, we will have snacks, cold beverages, and swim in Coldwater Lake to cool down. Hope to see you there!  Hope to see you there! 

To help you prepare, here are a few guidelines for participating in a Mountaineers Activity: Mountaineers' activities are run by volunteers who share their skills and love for wild places voluntarily – they are not professional guides. When you register for an activity, you are responsible for choosing a trip within your capabilities, selecting suitable clothing, and carrying The Ten Essentials.

The camping facilities include a great view of Mt. St. Helens (weather permitting). Volunteers should bring food/water, a sleeping bag, sleep materials, and tent if camping, camp chair, and all personal care items needed during their stay including food and water for cooking, drinking, and cleaning (these are primitive camp sites).

Additional rules for using the facilities at the Science and Learning Center: Vehicles must be parked in designated areas. Quiet Hours are from 10:00 pm – 7:00 am. All trash and recycling must be packed out by the group using the volunteer housing.

Groups who will be primitive camping with us please plan accordingly. Pets are not allowed. The Science and Learning Center is a federal facility, and as such, the use of alcohol, cannabis (even if allowed by state laws), and other illegal drugs are not allowed on site. Additionally, firearms are not allowed inside federal buildings and are not allowed on the grounds of the Science and Learning Center, or in and around volunteer housing.

Directions: I5 South to Exit 63, turn Left and head east for 3 miles. *Slow down to 40 mph at Jackson Hwy, and then to *25 mph as you enter Toledo (*cops were out in force). Drive through Toledo, cross over Cowlitz River (cops sat in wait just past bridge to give unsuspecting speeders tickets). Cross over the Cowlitz River and proceed straight ahead, up the hill on HWY 505 (the hwy is unmarked) for 12 miles to HWY 504.

At HWY 504, turn left on 504 and drive 28 miles to junction for Coldwater and Johnston Ridge. At the junction proceed straight to gate across hwy (gate should be open) at the Mt St Helens Coldwater Learning and Science Center.

NOTE- For those not camping: Please meet us in the Mt St Helens Learning and Science Center parking lot at 8:00am sharp. We will have signs posted, Stewardship welcome begins at 8:15 and the tool safety talk begins at 8:30 am.

NOTE- Please meet us in the Mt St Helens Learning and Science Center parking lot at 8:00am sharp. We will have signs posted, Stewardship welcome begins at 8:15 and the tool safety talk begins at 8:30 am.

Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel your participation, please visit your profile page or contact Member Services. If you need to cancel after registration has closed, please contact the leader directly. *NOTE: Any cancellation after June 18th will be marked as a ‘No Show,’ including cancelling day of scheduled activity. There is no wifi access and leaders will be out of reach from the evening of the 18th till Monday the 23rd. This stewardship event requires committed volunteer participation.