Funding for Trails

Whether you are just starting to get outside with the onset of spring, or you are among those who hiked or ran in the Alps this past winter, it is hard to miss the toll that a fair number of newly downed trees and erosion had on many of the trails.  In many cases it was the timely intervention of private individuals using their own saws and shovels who cleared the trails and dug out the water bars to minimize the damage.  But over time such spot fixes can’t provide the types of improvements that will assure a good, safe trail for the long term.  This is especially true on steeper terrain and at stream crossings.  It often requires extra materials such as timbers and fastening hardware, and a coordinated crew of trained workers to do the job right.  IATC watches out for these needs and coordinates its maintenance activities with the land owners.

A hand saw won’t do the job on the East Side Trail on Squak Mt.

Good News Out of Olympia
Trails on state-owned lands in the Issaquah Alps may now get more attention to address the backlog of maintenance needs because of the $15 million dollars included in the most recent State budget update.  The funding will be shared equally between the WA State Departments of Natural Resources, Parks, and Fish and Wildlife, and can be used for a wide range of recreation maintenance needs throughout the state.

Washington Trails Association, the primary champion of the legislation, along with key members of the legislature, many individuals, and outdoor groups all deserve our appreciation for this accomplishment. See this WTA blog post to learn more about the back story and impact of this funding, including some additional funding for the Emerging Leaders Pilot Program.

It is still too early to know precisely how these funds will benefit the Alps, and we shouldn’t assume that the local state land managers are aware of all the trails and other infrastructure that needs attention. That’s why IATC is creating a catalog of trail sections that need maintenance and sharing it with the land managers in order to assure nothing is overlooked.

Water damage on the Phil’s Creek Trail on Squak Mt.