Log-out, we write. 7/24
Looking out well into the future, we are planning to build a footlog later this season, location to be determined. However, if that’s the sort of thing any of you folks reading would like to take part in, keep an eye out for the volunteer sign-up list in another month or so. For now, though, amid intense berry picking, we’ve also managed to get some impressive log-out and tread accomplishments done. Most of our work this week was in the Twisp River Drainage, including reestablishing a trail long overdue for some maintenance, the West Fork of the Buttermilk which accesses some incredible county at Fish Creek Pass.
Reestablishing a trail through this washout has been on the to-do list since the fall of 2023, when it was first discovered. This year, 2025, MVTC finally had the staff capacity to establish a safe path through and log out the trail in its entirety.
West Fork Buttermilk (7/23-7/28) The Buttermilk needed serious work. The trail has not been logged out in its entirety since 2021, and a major washout in ‘23 has impeded hikers and impassible to stock. Reopening it to Fish Creek Pass was a priority, and it was an all-hands-on-deck trail. Each MVTC staff member worked on this trail at various points during the week. We tackled the slide at three miles, roughing in just under 200ft of new tread, clearing a path through the up trail side of the slide that will be stock passable, and embarked on the “plug” of spruce trees. I shuddered in my boots at the sight of all those logs- but Crew Lead Nick M. and gang pressed forward fearlessly and made it all the way to Fish Creek Pass. They cut a total of 225 large, jack-strawed, fire-hardened logs, and took care of various brushy areas as they could. It took four days to clear 4.2 miles from their camp to the Pass, and an impressive start to our newest crew member, Marai’s, season. The trail is experiencing issues with brush, and travelers should be prepared for areas with really high fireweed, willows, and ceanothus. However, for now, it is log-free from start to finish for the first time in four years.
Louis Lake (7/29) The crew took a victory lap on the Lews Lake Trail. They bounced over to this trail to finish up their hitch with a dip in the lake and successfully cleared the final 27 logs to the lake!
North Lake(7/29) To ward off the office blues, I made a run at the logs up this trail by my lonesome. A few extra trees had come down since I had been on this trail in May, but I was able to clear 26: leaving only two larger diameter trees left, one at the beginning of the trail(18’’) and one just before you get to the lake (27-30’’). The berries were in their prime, and I only saw one other party. The brushing from 2022 has held up, but is beginning to need another pass.
Cedar Creek(7/29) In response to a user report, Allen and I (AKA Dream-Team AKA The Team That Always Forgets One Piece of Gear) spent the morning logging out a half dozen trees out to the falls. Thanks for the report and please keep submitting them! This trail is getting to be pretty hot to be on this year, so be sure to bring plenty of water.