THE DUCKABUSH RIVER trail reopened to hikers in July after it was closed for nearly a year due to the Big Hump fire.
The September and October issue of Washington Trails magazine, a publication of the Washington Trails Association, details the restoration effort on the trail.
According to the article, “Bringing the Duckabush Back From Ruin,” the Big Hump fire significantly damaged 3.5 miles of the Duckabush trail before it died out.
Burned trees and limbs blockaded the trail.
The wildfire ruined rock structures built by trail crews because those structures were built around tree roots. So when the roots burned, the rock structures lost their stability.
It also caused trail erosion, made the trail muddy and caused rocks to fall onto the trail.
When all was said and done, the Duckabush River trail had been considerably transformed and was unsafe.
But through three Back Country Response Team trips and volunteer work parties, the trails association was able to restore the trail.
It was a delicate task that rated high on the danger meter.
Crews working on the trail had to wear hard hats the entire time they were there because of the danger of trees falling over without warning or reason.
And while the trail is open to hikers — and only hikers; no pets allowed — danger remains.
Because trees and rocks can still fall, avoid the trail when it’s windy.
To find out how to subscribe to Washington Trails magazine, visit http://www.wta.org/hiking-info/magazine.
More work
Though the trail has been restored to the point that it has reopened to hikers, there is still work to be done.
The trails association will hold three volunteer parties next week to work on culvert replacement along the trail.
The parties will occur Thursday, Sept. 13; Saturday, Sept. 15; and Sunday, Sept. 16. They begin at 8:30 a.m. and run until 3:30 p.m.
There also will be two Backcountry Response Team trips this month.
These grueling five-day, four-night trips will consist mainly of log-out and repairing winter and fire damage, as well as tread and drainage work.
Both trips run from Wednesday through Sunday. The first is next week, September 12-16. The second trip is Sept. 26-30.
The second trip is limited to eight volunteers because of wilderness restrictions.
For information about these and other trail maintenance volunteer opportunities, visit the Washington Trails Association website at http://tinyurl.com/trailvolunteers.
Other trails
Washington Trails Associations will hold volunteer parties for other area trails later this month.
The parties all take place on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Here is the information:
■ Tunnel Creek trail — Sept. 20, 22-23: Clearing, tread work and general maintenance.
■ Upper Big Quilcene trail — Sept. 27, 29-30: Annual maintenance, including brushing and drainage work to minimize seepage.
No experience is necessary to participate in trail work parties.
You also don’t need tools. In fact, bringing your own equipment is discouraged.
All you need is a sturdy pair of boots.
Most of the trail parties feature incentives for volunteers, including a Northwest Forest Pass and a Discover Pass.
The more time you put in, the better your perks will be.
Outside of those perks, most parties will include free soda and cookies, not to mention the good feeling inside that you’re being nice and using your free time to help others.
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Outdoors columnist Lee Horton appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
