National Trails Day NATIONAL TRAILS DAY ® JUNE 5, 2004 "TRAILS AND HEALTH . . . A NATURAL CONNECTION" American Hiking Society's signature trail awareness program, National Trails Day ® (NTD), is now in its 12th year. Celebrate and support a trail in your area, joining hundreds of organizations, parks, retailers and health providers who are hosting events with information and activities honoring trails all across the U.S. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Pacific Northwest Trail Association on National Trails Day 2004. Click on a region below for more information about events along the Pacific Northwest Trail: Olympic Region Cascade West Region Colville Region Rocky Mountain Region To find out more information about NTD, visit the: Official National Trails Day web site. Olympic Region "We had a very successful National Trails Day celebration and service day here in the Olympics.  We had over 20 people working on 3 different service projects for the day.  Our focus was the Olympic Discovery Trail (the lowland route for the Pacific Northwest Trail across the Peninsula).  In preparation for an upcoming marathon, and to help preserve the incredible farmland on the Sequim Prairie, we did some needed fence work along the trail.  A small group tackled the attachment of a fence while two children, who lived at the neighboring property, chipped in for help and moral support.  Two additional properties needed wooden rails placed, so our crew jumped forward with saws, brackets, tape measures, and lots of nailing.  Finally, our final property needed brushing to make way for a needed fence.  200 yards of line was cleared for fence construction through a pocket of woods.  After completing a hard, but efficient 3 hour work block, we sat back with beverages, snacks, and enjoyed a raffle from donated goods.  All the participants received something from sponsors like Thorlo, Cliff Bar and American Hiking Society.  More importantly, we all had fun and felt a proud link to our neighborhood trail.  All the participants are also users of the trail, happy to be out walking, riding, and providing service for their beloved trail.  A big thank you to Clallam County, proclaming and recognizing the importance of National Trails Day for the county.  And of course, Peninsula Trails Coalition and all of our volunteers need a pat on the back for all their hard work and enthusiasm!  See you next year or sooner on our neighborhood trails." Darek Staab Regional Coordinator, Olympic Region Heading to or living on the Peninsula? Join us in the for the PNTA's work party for National Trail Day. We are co-sponsoring this day and event with the Peninsula Trails Coalition and Clallam County. Our lowland route (the Olympic Discovery Trail) is in need of some fence building, helping to link the trail near McDonnell Creek and protect the beautiful farm country of the Sequim Prairie. Come celebrate the National Trails Day with some good service work for our local trail. We will have an outstanding raffle at the end of the day, with gifts provided by the American Hiking Society. When: Saturday, June 5th, 1:00-4:00pm, snacks and beverages provided Where: Abbott Road (intersecting Barr Road to the west) in Agnew near Sequim. Parking available at 605 N. Barr Road What to bring: leather gloves, tape measures, water and enthusiasm for the day For more information, please contact: Darek Staab Regional Coordinator Olympic Region (360)808-2313 dstaab@pnt.org Cascade West Region Deception Pass State Park "Cascade West had a successful and awesome trails day. We had 24 volunteers show up and constructed about 1,500 feet of new trail for the PNT in Deception Pass State Park. The trail is about 70% done and the remainder of the trail the PNTA SKY Job Corps Crews will finish. This was a highly needed segment of trail as it gets us off of Highway 20 in Deception Pass State Park. This will not only benefit the Pacific Northwest Trail Association and Deception Pass State Park, but also all the thousands of visitors to the park every year. Thanks to all the volunteers who were involved to make this trail happen." Michael Hinderman Cascade West Regional Coordinator Event Details: Event will start at 9:00 and go to 2:00. Lunch and beverages will be served at 11:30. There will be a raffle for some t-shirts and posters. Tools will be provided. Bring gloves safety glasses and good working clothes and plenty of water. Maintenance of PNT trail through Deception Pass will be main task plus other sections of trail in the State Park. Directions to Site: Take Interstate 5 to highway 20 in Skagit County and go West towards Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands. Follow Highway 20 to Fidalgo Island and to Deception Pass State Park. Just before Deception Pass bridge and just after Pass Lake take a right onto Rosario Road and then immediate left down to Bowman's Bay. This is where we will all be meeting. For more information, please contact: Michael Hinderman Regional Coordinator Cascade West Region (360)661-5715 mhinderman@pnt.org Rocky Mountain Region Kootenai National Forest "Sixteen volunteers worked on the Krinklehorn Trail, located southeast of Eureka, MT on the Fortine Ranger District on National Trails Day, Saturday June 5th. The event was a collaborative effort between the Pacific Northwest Trail Association, Tobacco Valley Highcountry Horsemen, Montana Conservation Corps, US Forest Service, and local volunteers. Volunteers worked on the lower 1 1/2 miles of the trail building and repairing 33 drainage dips and clearing vegetation. After the event, the Tobacco Valley Highcountry Horsemen served a chili and hot dog lunch, and coordinated giving away prizes donated from local businesses. Volunteers really enjoyed the event, and some expressed interest in starting a local PNT Trail Club. " Greg Seabloom Regional Coordinator, Rocky Mountain Region Outdoor Enthusiast will unite in a volunteer effort to improve the Krinklehorn Trail in the Kootenai National Forest near Eureka on National trails Day June 5. Three non-profit organizations - The Pacific Northwest Trail Association, Tobacco Valley Highcountry Horsemen and Montana Conservation Corps - are sponsoring the event in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service. Volunteers will team together from 8 am to 1 pm to clear vegetation and control erosion on the trail, which is open to hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers. Following the event, there will be a barbeque, prizes and a gathering. To register as a volunteer or for more details call the trail association 863-9055 or (877)863-2701. Colville Region Pend Oreille County Park Event Details: The National Trails Day Celebration will take place in the Pend Oreille County Park. The event will begin at noon with trailwork. If possible, please coordinate your own hand tools. There will also be time to enjoy hikes along the trails in the 440-acre old-growth forest. At 4:00pm, the volunteer crews will reconvene for a dedication ceremony. At 5:00, there will be a potluck for everyone to enjoy. Directions to Site: From Spokane, travel north on Highway 2 (Newport Highway) approximately 30 miles to milepost 318. Turn left at the brown "Pend Oreille County Park" sign. From Newport, travel south approximately 18 miles toward Spokane on Highway 2. Turn right at the "Pend Oreille County Park" sign For more information, please contact: Deana Edmiston (509)447-7333 dedmiston@fs.fed.us Pend Oreille County Park : 440 acres of forested land off of SR 2 between Newport and Spokane. 35 minutes from Spokane; 15 minutes from Newport. Trail Segment: Restoration Loop. This is an easy to moderately easy walk through the west area of the 440 acre park. Sections of the route duck into and out of woods that features old growth forest and plant life, wildlife viewing opportunities and wonderful views. Brief History: This pristine park has been virtually untouched since it was donated to the County by Washington State and concerned adjacent landowners back in the 20's and 30's. Approximately 80 acres of east side old growth forest which escaped the 1910 fire provide an interesting habitat rarely seen in either public or privately owned forests. Interesting Fact: Many bird species in North America are cavity nesters and the large diameter trees provide the necessary material for active breeding. To date bird viewers have spotted many species in the park