MVTC Summer Newsletter

I started the summer with an ambitious set of trail maintenance projects. Since April, this wide-ranging scope of work has kept me traveling from the end of the Twisp River Road on the Louis Lake Bridge, up the Chewuch River on the North 20-Mile trail, all the way to Rainy Pass for deferred maintenance on the Heather Maple Loop, with several trails in between. Fortunately, for all these trials, I’ve had help from all our partners, dedicated volunteers, and two separate Americorps crews. It’s been another great summer of groups accomplishing together what they wouldn’t do independently, and it isn’t over yet. This August, MVTC is coordinating replacing the trail bridge in “critical condition” on the Cutthroat trail, and we need your help to get it done. For the next two Saturdays, August 12th and August 18th, MVTC is hosting work parties on the popular multi-use trail to replace the bridge before the month is out. When writing the grant for this project, I initially anticipated working on this bridge in 2024 to focus on Louis Lake this summer. However, at a site visit this spring, it was clear winter had taken its toll, and replacement needs to happen this year for user safety and riparian health. Yet another project is on the docket full docket! The decking is packed, materials have been purchased, and the trees are cut. All that’s missing is your help.

Hope to see you out there

Allen Jircik, Trails Manager.

Signup to help rebuild this bridge

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Our Impact This Summer

In July, Methow Valley Trails Collaborative hosted five volunteer events for a total of 107 hours of volunteer trail maintenance. The main project was deferred maintenance on Maple Pass Loop Trail #740, including building a log retaining wall, timber box steps, and restoring social trails.
Additionally, we hosted an event on the Louis Lake bridge where several volunteers helped to make progress on that replacement.

A huge thank you to all those who came out to help us maintain trails for all users across the valley! An additional shoutout to our hired Student Conservation Association Crew and the Western Washington Sustainability Pathways program for their help this summer. Working with these groups allowed MVTC to expand our impact this summer.

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Partner Highlights

EMBA Multi-User Work Party

The Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance Methow Chapter is coordinating a work weekend on the multi-use Blue Buck trail outside of Twisp scheduled for this fall. This will be a great work weekend with a variety of trail users. Register to help maintain a great trail and make connections with some other trail users.

MVRD Trail Crew

This summer, the Methow Valley Ranger District has a full trail crew with 11 members, two stock packers, and their full-time trails manager. With over 11,000 miles of trail in the district, including over 400 miles of trails in Wilderness—no power tools—the crew has their hands full. Still, being fully staffed adds significant capacity. The Forest Servicecrew is positioned to work on remote trails that are difficult for partner groups to reach. In addition, to the main trail crew, there are two roving crew leads who are able to train conservation corps crews and assist with partner projects, including Trails Collaborative projects like the Louis Lake bridge.

The MVRD crew and their crosscut saws starting on the Middle Fork Pasayten Trail at Harts Pass.

Check here for FS trail conditions

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Fire Restrictions

With the recent poor air quality, valley residents need no reminder that it’s fire season. During this time of year, we should all be doing our part to recreate responsibly so as not to start a human-caused wildfire. Knowing what restrictions are in place for each land manager is the first part of this responsibility. The current restrictions from the USFS and WDFW are very similar and listed below. Check the sites often if you have questions.

USFS fire restrictions

WDFW Fire Restrictions

Since July 7th, open flames, operating power tools, smoking except in an enclosed vehicle, and discharging a firearm have all been prohibited on all WDFW lands. Shooting is currently allowed at the Methow Wildlife Area Unit Shooting range from sunrise to
10:00 AM. On August 16th, discharging a firearm for target shooting will be prohibited on all lands managed by the WDFW, including the aforementioned range, until Sept.15th.

WDFW fire restrictions

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Support the Trails Collaborative

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