Buck Creek: Nat'l Trails Day Work Party & Ride (NWTA, DNR, NWSA, BCHW, CAMBA)

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped on what became known as the 2010 Buck Creek Blitz.  It was a huge success! 

In two days we had 93 volunteers work on the Buck Creek Trail.  As a result we opened a NEW section of trail called the TH2 (see below for the ride report and topo) 

Day 1 (Wed 6/2/10) There was 48 volunteers from the Northwest Service Academy lead by Mike Gundlach

• Volunteer hrs: 10 man hrs x 48 people = 480 hrs

Day 2 (Sat 6/5/10 – National Trails Day) There was 45 volunteers from NWTA, CAMBA, BCHA, and DNR lead by Ted Dodd. PLUS there was a bonus ride following the work party included 16 riders        

• Volunteer hours: 5 man hrs x 45 people = 225 hrs         

Total of 705 hours X $22 per hr = $15,510 Value 

The Ride (i.e. new section of trail):

From Trail Head 2 (TH2) make your way to the top of Monte Carlo, down Penny Ridge to bottom of the valley and around the Buck Creek Loop. 9.5 miles. 1381 total climb. 3885 total descent. 

Summary:  Best done as a shuttle.  Start at TH2.  The first climbs are do able, but the climb to the top of Monte Carlo is a hike-a-bike, but the views and the fast downhill are worth it.  Important note: when you reach the sign at the top of Monte Carlo, turn right, and start the descent. The downhill is fast and fun, but watch out for horses as this is a multi-user trail.  For strong riders wanting more, combine this ride with Nestor Peak.

Thanks again to the all the volunteers!Without them we would not have this trail to ride. 

Photos: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12031816@N00/sets/72157624220460356/show/

Ted D

From Hood River cross the bridge to Washington.  Turn left onto Hwy 14, Drive a couple miles, Turn right onto Hwy 141 connector road and proceed north.  At the road merge with Hwy 141 go left and proceed north. Drive about 2 miles. Turn left at the sign for Northwestern Lake. Follow road down the hill & cross the bridge. The meeting place is at the large trail map located at the 4-way intersection w/ Lakeview Rd.     

Buck Creek Trail Map: 

http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/eng_rms_buck_ck_all.pdf 

Ted D

The following is a report from the Wednesday (6/2) work project.  Our work & ride event (6/5) will finish the work they started.  The combined work projects (with a total 80+ volunteers) will result in the opening of a NEW section of trail.  This new section is 8+ miles long, with 1300' of climbing and 3600' descending.  The flow of the trail and the long descents through the forest will leave you smiling.  In addition, this trail has the potential to be a real "butt kicker" if you are not in top cardo shape because the climbs are steep. 

6/2 Report:

Although it rained throughout the day we were able to get a fair amount of work completed. In addition, the DNR crew appears to have been out on the trail prior to our work as well so good progress is being made. Upper Region (North of TH2): We had 3 crews that worked from the bridge North all the way to where the trail crosses the road again (just before it heads up to Monte Carlo. That section of trail is open and rideable/walkable/horseable. I believe the DNR crew was in there before us and cleared all the trees. We did brush work and tread work as well as reestablished then entry/exit points at the road. Mid Penny Ridge: We had one crew up there brushing down towards McIroy Saddle. The trail is open and they made good progress but additional brushing and tread work could be done up there. South of McIroy Saddle: Crews were brushing and limbing and cleared a large tree that was down.  Rocky switchback with tree over trail: The big tree is gone! Crews also worked on clearing rocks and built a water bar. They indicated more work needs to be done but made good progress. They didn’t have time to do any brush work on the way back down the trail so that area could use some brushing. Trail Reroute: One crew worked on this and was able to rough in the corridor and start some tread work but there is still a LOT to do in this section.   

Ted D

Who is involved:

DNR (Dept of Natural Resources) – land manager

NWSA (Northwest Service Academy) – Trout Lake training & operational hub for AmeriCorps Programs

BCHW (Backcountry Horsemen Assoc of WA) – equestrian group           

CAMBA (Columbia Area Mountain Bike Advocates) – Hood River based mountain bike group 

Special guests include:           

• Regional directors and commissioners from DNR
• Local county officials from Klickitat County and Hood River
• Board members from CAMBA and BCHW

Wow....