The Trail Season Begins

It’s going to be a difficult summer trail season this year. The Methow Valley Ranger District’s workforce is significantly reduced, and historically, their employees have accomplished the lion's share of trail maintenance on the Forest. That’s not to say volunteers and partners do not help, but we all coexist best when there is a crew of paid professionals dedicating their summer to clearing logs, brushing corridors, and maintaining those trails that are difficult to access. Without this paid workforce, fewer trails will be cleared this summer. The Trails Collaborative and partners are still doing our parts to keep trails open, and this blog is intended to be a public resource so you may know if your favorite summer trail has been maintained this year, or if you should expect blowdowns on your trip into the mountains.

MVTC is responding to the lack of a forest workforce by increasing our own paid staff.  We’re able to do this through some existing agreements, prioritizing staff over subcontracting, and through generous community support. We currently have a staff of three, including our director, and aim to hire two more seasonals to help upkeep trails. This blog will highlight our staff, volunteers, and other partner crews' trail maintenance accomplishments. The blog’s intent isn’t to make recommendations for trails to use, but to help you plan accordingly as you recreate in a season with a smaller Forest Service presence. Work accomplished will include a trail name and FS number, an approximate estimate of where the crew’s work began and ended, as well as any observations the crews may have that might be relevant as you plan your hike, ride, or backpacking trip.

If you’re looking for a specific trail, try searching by number using our website’s search feature. It’s our goal to update bi-weekly. I hope it’s a valuable resource to you as you enjoy your time on the public land surrounding the Methow Valley!