On our first June session we had another solid turnout, with twenty-two (22) volunteers we were set. We had enough volunteers to break into two groups; one continued the work of capping the HOP connector trail - the other working on the north end of the trail extension called "Rooty." Working on this rerouted and extended trail seems like the next logical step in the HOP Public Trail Facility project. When complete it will be the multi-use trail that crosses "Up Only" above the connector trail that goes to "La-Z-Boy." As you will see (viewing the map through the following link) "Rooty" will drop into the sections shown as "Flow Lines" and "Technical Climbs" . . .
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This was another session where everyone worked really hard, so hard that no photos ended up being taken - sorry. But on our 6/19/15 (Friday) special session we did better. Pictured below are nine (9) volunteers that came to us from Community Action of Skagit County, they are AmeriCorp and Vista volunteers.
In this second image (below) you'll see Lyall Biship (one of our regulars) walking toward the camera, he helped John Erbstoeszer, Jerry Granahan, Bret Turner and I support the session. Having trained volunteers to guide special sessions is essential. If leadership interests you please feel free to contact us.
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In this third image (below) Bret Turner is moving "native material" down the trail. Just above the wheelbarrow's tub (in the background) you can see two volunteers filling buckets. This helps us to move a lot of material, no wasted time - a handful of filled buckets can be quickly dumped into the wheelbarrow tub.
Bret is great, we hope he represents what will become a growing trend - young volunteers seeking more responsibility within our group.
In this final photo (below) John and his team are starting a retaining wall. This trail work is being done on another connector trail, one that is on the south side of Little Mountain Park. We are putting the final touches on this trail that links the parking area at the Silver Arrow Bowen Archery Range to the trail called "Down South."
It will take one more session to finish this project. Might you know of a group that would like to help?
Our next session is 6/27/15. It is supposed to be hot so we'll have lots of iced lemonade, in addition to lunch, snacks and beverages.
Another load of crushed rock is being delivered. If we have enough volunteers we'll do as we did last time; split into two groups - finish the capping and continue our work on the north end of Rooty.
We hope to see many of you there!