Trail Maintenance

FOCF organizes many trail maintenance work parties each year, plus we participate in multi-user maintenance events. Some work parties focus on a particular task, such as (re)building a bridge or making a new trail, and some are roving sesonal maintenance to keep trails free encroaching brush. Without this work, our beloved trails system would quickly fall into disrepair, so please lend a hand.

The best way to stay informed of our regular and special work parties is to join the FOCF Yahoo Group.

Current ongoing FOCF trail work parties include:

• First Saturday of the Month: Roving party, beginning at 9AM, with specifics determined by FOCF’s Work Party Coordinator, David Snyder.

• Thursday Work Parties: Nearly every Thursday, at 6PM, FOCF work parties build a new trail (parallel to Road C-6000). If you arrive late (say, after work) and miss the rendezvous at “The Y” (see map on right) just look for the group along the C-6000 near Fall Creek. There is a sign for Fall Creek at the left turn to C-6000 from C-Line.

Volunteering on our work parties is fun, you’ll learn a lot from our experienced team of trail builders, plus you’ll be enetered to win rad bike prizes at our annual Capitol Forest Classic (must be present at the event to win). Come prepared for rough outside work in changeable conditions. Time and weather permitting, a ride follows work parties, and socializing/eating usually does too!

When attending multi-user work parties, be sure and identify yourself as a member of FOCF. A record of our volunteer hours is kept by Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Upcoming DNR work parties include:

June

Saturday 4 National Trails Day 9am-3pm. To celebrate National Trails Day DNR in partnership with Friends of Capitol Forest . We will be relocating and rehabbing a section of Trail #40 a motorized trail near Middle Waddell campground, also other people will be working on finishing a reroute project on the non motorized 6A trail. Meeting at the “Y” of Sherman Valley and Waddle Creek roads to meet and debrief before heading out to locations BBQ to follow put on by FOCF around 3:00.Bring water, a snack, and gloves to help out, and if you wish you can bring a side dish or dessert to share for the BBQ to follow. Questions contact philip.wolff@dnr.wa.gov

Wednesday 8 McLane Creek 10am-noon. For those people that can’t help out on the weekends, Thurston county Stream Team and WSU Plant Salvage team are teaming up again this year to clean and maintain McLane Creek recreation area. They plan on clearing trails, trimming weeds, and maintaining boardwalks as well as passing out informative information in regards to the flora and fauna of the unique site that is McLane Creek. All volunteers are welcome Please bring gloves and clothes to get dirty in.

Thursday 30 McLane Creek 4:30am-7:30pm. If you’re looking for a evening work party here it is! Thurston county Stream Team and WSU Plant Salvage team are teaming up again this year to clean and maintain McLane Creek recreation area. They plan on clearing trails, trimming weeds, and maintaining boardwalks as well as passing out informative information in regards to the flora and fauna of the unique site that is McLane Creek. All volunteers are welcome Please bring gloves and clothes to get dirty in.

For more information, visit DNR’s online volunteer event calendar.