|
| |
| |
|
|
|
Official KTC work parties are generally led by a KTC work committee member, announced in advance, and everyone signs in on an official State Parks form. This gives State Parks insurance benefits to the work party. But sometimes there are more informal work parties, for instance when a hiking group finds lots of trash along the Trail. If everyone spends time picking up trash here and there for the full length of the hike, let's say three hours, then everyone has worked for three hours.
To report this work, please contact our work committee chair, Jim Denton, by phone or email, whichever you prefer.
 Call Jim at 541-354-1604, or email him with a little report, however brief or long.
In addition to mentioning the work done, please also include the names of all persons doing the work, and approximately how much time each spent working.
Your participation in any way that you can will be greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thanks for pitching in and helping out.
|
|
| 2008 Work Party Calendar |
|
March 30, 2008, Sunday, 9:00 A.M.
Work Party: Pitt to Fisher Hill Bridge
Meeting Place: Lyle Trailhead at 9:00 AM, right across SR14 from the former Coltland Realty building on the west end of Lyle, Washington.
The latest weather report shows highs around 50 and a 20% chance of showers. Plans are to start at Pitt and work down stream to Fisher Hill Bridge, but if the weather looks threatening we can alter our plans and do a short in and out from Pitt or maybe head up to Wahkiacus and work on that section as it is much shorter. Everyone should bring suitable clothing for the season. The weather can go from sun to hail or snow in a matter of seconds.
We will walk the trail from Pitt to Fisher Hill Bridge assessing its condition and doing pruning, rock rolling, and other minor work along the way. Jim has specifically chosen a "weekend" work party in the hopes of seeing a few new happy faces, hopefully we will get some. Bring loppers and gloves, if you have them.
Questions? Call Jim Denton at 541-354-1604. |
|
| 2007 Work Party Calendar |
|
|
October 28, 2007, Sunday
Continue work to improve the bypass around the washout 2 miles south of Pitt.
We had a small work party, but it was plenty big enough to get done the work that needed doing. We parked at Pitt across from Harold's beautiful red maple and then used the Enz's little red wagon to haul tools to the washout about two miles below Pitt. Well actually their wagon isn't red, but who cares so long as the wheels don't fall off.
|
At the washout we lopped brush and rolled rocks to improve the bypass trail along the foot of the hillside. By the time we were done the trail was in very good shape and is very easy to walk without stumbling over rocks hidden in the leaves or sticking your foot in a hole. After the ground is packed a little by use, it should also be easy enough for most people to ride on their bikes. |
I encourage everyone to use this route as it is safer than the original rail bed that is crumbling into the river. It presently is not signed but we should get some signs up soon. Any poison oak along the bypass has been both sprayed and lopped so it presently is not a problem. |
|
October 7, 2007, Sunday
Install Information Kiosk
We will be installing an information kiosk across from Huntington's restaurant in downtown Klickitat. Most of the cutting for the kiosk has been done, but holes need to be dug followed by the final assembly work. This project is expected to take a half day or so for a small group of volunteers. Most of the needed tools will be supplied, but it would be nice to have a second set of tools for digging post holes.
Last year, KTC received national recognition and a $500 grant from the Kodak American Greenways Awards Program. The grant provides for building materials for an information kiosk to be built in the town of Klickitat. The kiosk will display the trail map, trail use guidelines, interpretive trail education, and safety reminders. KTC will contribute volunteer labor (work party!) to complete the install the kiosk.
Meeting Place: Meet across from Huntington's restaurant in Klickitat at 10:00 AM
Questions? Call Jim Denton at 541-354-1604.
Click here to see photos of this adventure. |
|
May 13, 2007, Sunday
Trail Maintenance Between Fisher Hill and Pitt
The corrections crew has done a lot of the heavy work on the lower half of the Trail, but there is still work to be done, in particular lopping back this spring's growth of blackberries. I would like to do a two-pronged attack, having one group walk in from Fisher Hill to the wet areas about two miles up that tend to get so overgrown, and then have a second crew that bikes the trail from Pitt downstream, lopping, sawing, getting down and rolling rocks, if need be. It might be time for invasive weeds need to be pulled as well.
Bring loppers, pruning saws and gloves, plus your bike and tire patch kit if you want to ride down from Pitt. Remember your personal items as well, like lots of water, lunch and sun protection.
Meeting Place: Lyle Trailhead at 9:00 AM, right across SR14 from Coltland Realty on the west end of Lyle, Washington.
Questions? Call Jim Denton at 541-354-1604.
|
|
February 18, 2007, Sunday
Planting trees in the washout area below Pitt
According to Jim Denton, Works Chairperson: "Everything should be a go for doing plantings at the washout two miles below Pitt this coming Sunday, February 18th. We will be planting trees and forbs in order to hopefully slow the rail bank erosion that is occurring in the area. Trail volunteers will need to bring gloves and wear clothing suitable for the weather conditions. The long term weather forecast is showing highs of 50-55°F with a slight chance of rain."
Bring shovels, digging bars, and picks. Everyone should bring gloves and sturdy warm clothing. Also bring water and a lunch. Jim will try to post an update on Friday that will include a weather report.
Meeting Place: Main parking area at Pitt, across from Harold's house at 9:00 AM.
Questions? Call Jim Denton at 541-354-1604.
|
| |
| 2nd Half 2006 Work Party Calendar |
|
December 10, 2006, Sunday
Seasonal Repairs and Possible Seedling Planting Near Pitt
The trail near Pitt once again needs work We want to improve the stream crossing below Pitt as we are still getting considerable water running down the trail there and it is hard to get through with dry feet. Plus a large tree is down across the trail in the single track section above Pitt along with some smaller stuff the snow pulled down. We will also be placing a sign on the gate just above Pitt where we worked last month. If anyone from the Lyle, Klickitat, or Goldendale area has a dozen Big Leaf Maple seedling popping up in their lawn we could find a good use for them in the washout area 2 miles below Pitt.
Tools we will need are:
Picks,
Shovels,
Wheelbarrows,
Digging bars,
Loppers
Everyone should bring work gloves and plenty of warm clothing.
Hope to see you there,
Jim Denton, KTC Work Committee Chair, 541-354-1604
Meeting Place & Time: At the gate near Pitt where the trail heads off towards Fisher Hill at 9:00 AM |
|
October 29, 2006, Sunday
No hiking or biking required -- just building!
Mission Accomplished! See our work by clicking here.
We have permission from Washington State Parks to build a bypass around a gate someone has installed across the trail. This work party should take only three or four hours to do everything needed.
Tools we will need are:
Post hole diggers
Digging bars
Shovels
Wheelbarrow
Battery drill
Fence pliers
Hope to see you there,
Jim Denton, KTC Work Committee Chair, 541-354-1604
Meeting Place & Time: Pitt Trailhead at 10:00 AM |
|
October 8, 2006, Sunday
Swale Trestle Clean-Up
The work party for the Swale Trestle clean-up is a go for this Sunday, October 8. We will need to get an early start as the fire danger is still rated as moderate, which means that we must complete our chainsaw use by 1:00 p.m.
Work crew members may either do a thru bike ride, or ride in and out on a trailer behind WSP's ATV. People wishing to bike should meet me at the Wahkiakus trail head at 8:00 a.m. and I will haul their bikes up to Harms Rd. in the back of my pickup. People wishing to ride in on the trailer should meet at Harms Rd. at 8:30 a.m.
At this point the weather looks good with highs predicted to be near 70. Bring suitable clothing, food, and water. Sturdy footwear and work gloves are suggested.
Jim Denton, KTC Work Committee Chairman, 541-354-1604 |
|
September 24, 2006, Sunday
First work party of the Fall season.
We will be doing work on the signage at Pitt and Wahkiakus and some work on the brush on the lower half of the trail. The meeting time will be at 9:00 at Lyle, but there will be no alternative meeting time at Harm's Road as originally scheduled. I will bring the KTC loppers and what tools I think are needed to do the signs.
Meeting Place & Time: Lyle Trailhead at 9:00 AM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click on images to see full size |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Earlier 2006 Work Parties |
February 19, 2006 Sunday: 1st Work Party of the Season
Taking Care of Downed Trees and Trash
Leader: Jim Denton
According to Jim, we need to make the section of trail near Pitt a little more presentable as winter has been unkind to it. The weather prediction for tomorrow is for more of the same, clear and cold with a light east wind. Hopefully the canyon will block and not funnel the wind for us.
This should be a pretty short work party of only two to three hours. At least one other person besides myself will probably be spending some time clearing debris where the stream crosses to the SE of Pitt. I am going to be bringing a set of rubber boots and gloves for this myself and hopefully someone else will do the same as well. As we will be doing some litter pickup rubber gloves may be in order for everyone.
Be sure to bring a lunch, water, and gloves and tools that might relate to the potential work that Jim describes: "Just south of Pitt where the stream crosses the trail about 100 linear feet of trail is under water as debris has partially dammed the creek just below the trail. The water is probably about 12 inch at its deepest, but is not very fast and at present could be safely forded. Above Pitt there are several trees down in the single track section, they are not hard for a hiker to step over, but would impede bike traffic. There is also a lot of new trash that has been thrown over the cliff further upstream. Another creek is washing over the trail near the cliff as well, but it is only a couple of inches deep. There have been ATV's using the section of trail above the single track section."
Meeting Place: 10:00 AM across from the row of houses in Pitt. This is about 10 miles up the Klickitat River SR142 from Lyle. When you cross the bridge over the Klickitat River just look on your right for a parking spot.
Call Jim at 541-354-1604 if you have any questions.
March 19, 2006 Sunday: Work Party
Improve the function and appearance of the gates and fences at the Wahkiakus trail head.
Leader: Jim Denton
We will be installing a 12-foot vehicle gate in the fence line at the request of Washington State Parks, and creating an opening in the fence line for people and bikes to pass. We will also be improving the appearance of the remaining fence by installing extra post and lacing cedar rail against them. We will need all sorts of digging tools as the ground is very rocky. Shovels, post hole diggers, digging bars, and picks all come to mind. A pole pounder for driving "T" post would also be nice. People who are not up to shoveling and pounding can go at pruning and other trail clearing work so long handled loppers and pruning saws would be in order. Brings gloves, water, and lunch.
Meet: Either 10:00 AM at the trailhead in Lyle or at Wahkiakus around 10:30-10:45 AM. To get to Wahkiakus from Lyle, go north about 16 miles on Hwy. 142, turn right on Horseshoe Bend Rd., very quickly turn right on Schilling Rd., parking is in about 100 ft, on the right.
April, 23, 2006, Sunday: Work Party
One way bike ride through Swale
Leader: Jim Denton
The work party will be a one way bike ride through Swale, lopping back vegetation, rolling rocks off the trail, and doing minor trestle clean up.
Meet: At Wahkiakus at 9:00 AM or 9:45 at Harms Rd.., whichever you prefer. Jim would like all people who are planning to participate to contact him ahead of time so he will have a better idea of how many people and bikes will need to be shuttled. Jim can reached at 541-354-1604.
Workers need to bring their own personal and bike gear, especially lots of water. Additionally we will need pruning shears, loppers, pruning saws, and I may bring an axe in case we find something big to remove.
May 13, Saturday: Work Party
Wire Gate Repair at Harms Rd.
Leader: Jim Denton
The port-a-john at Harms Rd. has blown over and messed up the stretched wire gate just to the east of the road. This will include fixing the gate and adjacent rock jack and attaching the port-a-john to a concrete slab so that it cannot be blown over easily again. We will also load up some more of the scrap barbwire and wood that is lying on the west side of the road. After finishing at Harms Rd. we will head for Pitt and replace the sheared-off bollard and gate post.
Meet: 10:00 a.m. at Harms Road. Questions? Jim can reached at 541-354-1604.
May 28, 2006, Sunday: Work Party
Trail Maintenance
Leader: Jim Denton
This work party that was originally scheduled for the May 21. I am sorry if this inconveniences anyone or makes it where someone cannot attend who had previously hoped to do so. The work party will consist of taking care of the trail between Pitt and Klickitat. This will include trying to create a barrier to exclude ATV's from the trail, rolling aside rocks, and pruning back vegetation. I have in mind meeting early in the morning to beat the heat. We will need several pair of loppers and other pruning tools. In order to move very large rocks to create an effective barrier, we need some form of heavy duty hand truck or large wheeled dolly. I will bring bars, jacks, chains and come-alongs.
Meet: 8:00 a.m. at Pitt. If you cannot make it that early you should be able to locate the crew along the trail between Pitt and Klickitat as much of the work will be done within site of the road. Works Chair, Jim Denton, can reached at 541-354-1604 for more information.
June 18, 2006, Sunday: Work Party
Trail Maintenance: Pruning
Leader: Jim Denton
This will be our last large scale work party of the spring season. We will be getting an early start to avoid as much of the mid-day heat as possible. We will be pruning blackberries and other spring growth along the trail from Lyle to Fisher Hill Bridge, and then from Fisher Hill bridge upstream for another 2-3 miles. Bring loppers, water, and sun protection.
Meet: 8:00 a.m. at the Lyle trailhead, just across the street from Colt Realty at the west end of Lyle. Those who come late should be able to spot the work party while it is close to the road, or if they don't see us there should be able to find us to the north of Fisher Hill bridge. Works Chair, Jim Denton, can reached at 541-354-1604 for more information. |
|
|
|
See how much fun a work party can be!
Barbara Robinson's report on the December 18, 2005 work party:
In the work party announcement last week, I assured prospective work party members we would NOT try to lift the junker car north of Pitt onto the State Parks pickup. I did not lie - we lifted it onto Jim Denton’s borrowed flatbed trailer instead, using a winch, a long jack, blocks, assorted other tools, and muscle power. Two engine blocks, a mattress, a rototiller in two pieces, and other assorted junk filled the State Parks pickup. Kudos to the hearty volunteers who braved the cold to remove this mess north of Pitt, namely Jim Denton (crew leader), David Berger, Dan Lichtenwald, Bev Linde, and Barbara Robinson. Kudos also to hard worker Fritz Osborne, ranger at Columbia Hills State Park, and his very useful State Parks pickup. As the crew ate lunch in the Lyle Café afterward, we watched the snow starting to fall. By the time Jim got the junker to Hood River with Barbara following,
it was all he could do to get up the hill on Country Club Rd., the least steep way to the wrecking yard on the heights. But make it he did, and the junker, together with its official papers, is now relocated to an appropriate home. Bev was official photographer and documented our chilly but very successful last work party of the year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click on images to see full size
|
|
|
|
|
Click on images to see full size
|
|
|
|
|
Click on images to see full size
|
|
|
|
|
Click on images to see full size
|
|
|
|
|
Click on images to see full size
|
|
|
November 2005 Work Party
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click on images to see full size
|
|
|
