Mountains to Sound Greenway seeks volunteers to repair trail
May 7, 2009
By Michael Rowe
The Mountains to Sound Greenway is looking for volunteers in May and June to help build a trail to Kamikaze Falls near Snoqualmie and North Bend.
“It’s a great way to give back to the local community, and it’s not that often that we get to build trails,” said Margaret Ullman, with Mountains to Sound Greenway.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is working with Mountains to Sound Greenway volunteers to construct the trail.
The new trail will provide a challenging climb with sweeping views of the Snoqualmie Valley, frequent views of the creek and access to the base of the falls. In addition, to providing an increase in recreation access to the falls, the new trail will be a more sustainable route for hikers.
“There is a trail built by hikers that climbs steeply alongside and sometimes directly in Kamikaze Creek, between Mt. Si and Mt. Teneriffe,” says Mike Stenger, Greenway Trust Trails Program Manager. “The trail has become more popular in recent years, and all the traffic has resulted in an eroded and unsightly scar along the creek. Hikers need a suitable alternative that allows them to enjoy the creek and falls without inadvertently causing damage to sensitive areas.”
Volunteers will work on the trail project every Saturday from May 2 – June 13, beginning at 9 a.m. in the morning from the existing Kamikaze Falls trailhead near North Bend. On June 13, employees of the Issaquah REI will join other volunteers on the trail construction project.
Kamikaze Falls trail is within the Mt. Si Natural Resources Conservation Area. When built, the trail will be a 3.6-mile roundtrip to Kamikaze Falls from the trailhead.
“This new trail will prevent future ecological damage and provide a safe and enjoyable hiking experience,” said Kelly Heintz, natural areas manager for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Volunteers from the Snoqualmie Valley are encouraged to sign up for the project on the Mountains to Sound Greenway Web-site, http://www.mtsgreenway.org/volunteer/events/vol-trails-form. Volunteers will receive detailed instructions on parking and preparing for working on the trail. Wearing clothing suited to outside work is recommended.
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