Northwest Trail Alliance held its annual Stewardship Campout at Coldwater Lake, just north of Mount St. Helens, the weekend of June 5th–7th. Each year, this event coincides with National Trails Day, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by giving some much-needed TLC to some truly unique trails.
In collaboration with the Growlers Gulch Stewardship Team, NWTA coordinates the weekend’s scope of work, allocates tools, identifies Crew Leaders to guide volunteers, organizes group rides, and prepares a hot dinner to reward everyone after a long day on the trails.
Of course, when camping and trail work are involved, Mother Nature occasionally likes to remind us who’s really in charge.
This year, she was feeling particularly uncooperative.
Where Friday evening typically sees 40+ folks camping ahead of Saturday’s work party, only 9 hearty souls braved the relentless rain, huddling around a propane heater and laughing at the absurdity of yet another downpour rolling through camp. Spirits remained surprisingly high considering several campers were beginning to resemble fully saturated sponges.
Saturday morning brought colder temperatures, heavier rain, and just enough misery to make everyone briefly consider whether pickleball or shuffleboard might be a more reasonable hobby. Fortunately, additional volunteers arrived Saturday morning after wisely opting for dry homes and warm beds the night before.
Plan A quickly dissolved in the rain. Plan B was to cancel altogether. But after some discussion, Plan C emerged: “Well… we’re already here, so let’s at least get a little work done.” Then, when the weather eased ever so slightly and motivation returned, Plan D was born: go for it and try to complete the full scope of work.
Armed with a thorough safety talk, reminders that everyone’s safety is everyone’s responsibility, and the promise of a hot pot of chili waiting back at camp, 27 volunteers headed out along the Lakes Trail and up the South Coldwater Trail.
Crews repaired tread, cleared trail corridors, and brushed back sections of trail that had nearly disappeared beneath encroaching thimbleberry, Arctic willow, and vine maple. Several hours later, volunteers returned to the trailhead adequately soaked but wearing tired smiles, knowing they had accomplished something impressive. Despite the conditions, crews completed roughly 95% of the planned scope of work.
It was genuinely inspiring to witness the grit, positivity, and determination of this community. Even in cold, wet, less-than-ideal conditions, volunteers showed up for the trails and for each other in a big way.
Back at camp, everyone gathered beneath tents, warming up with bowls of chili, Hopworks beer, and plenty of stories reliving the day’s adventures.
If this sounds like your idea of a great weekend, questionable weather included, consider joining NWTA for one of our next (hopefully drier and warmer) campouts on the Tillicum Trail and SHIFT (St Helens International Festival of Trails).
A special thanks to the US Forest Service for their on-the-ground support and oversight. It’s this kind of collaboration that makes our work possible