Mt. St. Helens

St. Helens International Festival of Trails 2023

Over 50 dedicated volunteers joined Northwest Trail Alliance for the St. Helens International Festival of Trails (SHIFT) August 18-20. This annual NWTA tradition brings together volunteers of all ages for trail work on trail systems in the Mt. St. Helens District of the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest.   Saturday’s work party required a quick change in plans, … Read More

SHIFT Work Party Provides Huge Boost

Written by Jim LeMonds Every hiker and mountain biker who utilizes trails on the south, east, and west sides of Mount St. Helens will benefit from a remarkable effort by Northwest Trail Alliance volunteer trail crews on August 20.  In partnership with the US Forest Service – Gifford Pinchot NWTA hosted a weekend campout at … Read More

Save The Date – Upcoming NWTA Events

(Dates are subject to change and more events will be added) April 2nd: Metro Newell Creek Grand Opening and Green Geckos MTB Clinic at Newell Creek April 2nd: Black Line Bluff and Tune Work Party at Rocky Point April 9th: Gorge 400 Trail Rehabilitation April 12th: Ride Leader Training – Gateway Green April 16th: Sandy … Read More

St. Helens Moon-rise Weekend Social

A small group gathered on Friday evening (8/20) at a grey and misty Marble Mountain Sno-Park to spend the weekend riding trails at the Mount St. Helens National Monument. Saturday’s weather slightly improved and groups formed to do different activities for the day. Those who brought their kayaks went to paddle at Merrill Lake. A … Read More

Membership Packet Update

Starting Monday, June 30th, we’re rounding out the month with the NWTA member packet pickup for Rocky Point access. These are required to ride at Rocky Point (new members get a one week grace period). You will get a cool ID tag for your bike, and a parking pass for your car. It’s a process … Read More

2019 SHIFT Trail Stewardship work has something for everyone

One of our signature events is St. Helens Festival of Trails aka SHIFT & it is coming up in a few weeks (8/15-8/18). This year we have a unique opportunity to maintain the Sheep Canyon-Loowit-Toutle Loop, which has only seen sporadic maintenance in the past 10 years, as well as our regular maintenance work with … Read More

Ape Canyon Trail Work Re-Cap

31 volunteers gathered in the fog on Sunday morning (June 23rd) to clear brush that has grown into the beloved Ape Canyon Trail. A couple of hikers joined a large contingency from Growlers Gulch Racing & NWTA ready to work. We split into 4 groups that were positioned in key spots along the trail. Each … Read More

Coldwater Lake Trail Work & Campout Weekend Recap

80+ volunteers turned out for the annual work party at Coldwater Lake (Mt. St. Helens) on June 1st, which was also National Trails Day. Volunteers from Northwest Trail Alliance, Growlers Gulch Racing & Daybreak Racing worked together to clear 10+ miles of trail around the lake in 5 hours. There was also a crew who … Read More

NWTA is Northward Bound! Coldwater Lake & TDG

The Coldwater Lake Trails Located about 2.5 hours north east of Portland, the Coldwater Lake trails consist of three trails (211, 230 and 230A).  The entire loop is about 12 miles long with approximately 2000 feet of climbing. While the loop can be ridden in either direction, many folks prefer to ride clockwise to take … Read More