GOLD BAR — The Department of Natural Resources is starting to develop trails for Reiter Foothills, and they need your help.
The state agency is looking for volunteers to help place markers that will be used to guide the design of new trails for hikers, equestrians and mountain bicyclers.
Two days have been set aside for the project. The first is set for 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 30; the second is set for the same hours Oct. 6.
Volunteers will receive basic training on trail design and data collection. Then, working in groups, they will determine trail routes, mark them with flagging tape and get GPS data points in an area off May Creek Road, near Wallace Falls State park, said Sue Jensen, parks planner for the DNR.
Much of the terrain is steep and challenging, she said.
“This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help design and build a trail,” Jensen said.
The project is part of DNR’s effort to build 26 miles of trails in thousands of acres between Gold Bar and Index. About half of those miles will be set aside for motorized uses, such as ATVs and motorcycles.
DNR is hoping to get between 20 and 25 volunteers each day, but it is open to have other days set apart for groups if staffing allows, Jensen said.
“We really want to call out to people who know the area well and like it,” Jensen said.
DNR has $457,000 in two grants to plan and start developing the trails and build two bridges. Trail construction is expected to take about a year, finishing in the fall of 2013.
DNR will also be looking for people to work on two different motorized use trails from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 29.
People can help set up natural obstacles on a 1.4 mile loop trail. The DNR opened this loop for motorcycle use for a few days in August, and plans to reopen it for a few days in October. Those dates haven’t been decided yet, spokeswoman Diana Lofflin said. DNR is currently completing an additional two-thirds of a mile of trail.
People also can help build a different trail for ATVs. People interested on these two opportunities can call 360-333-5741.
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.
The Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to set up markers, which will be used to design trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain bicycling at Reiter Foothills.
Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 30 and Oct. 6. No experience is necessary, but volunteers need to be at least 14 years old, bring hiking shoes, water, comfortable clothing, water and lunch. Training will be provided on site.
Volunteers are needed to work on two different motorized-use trails. That event is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 29.
To register, call David Way at 360-333-5741 or email him at david.way@dnr.wa.gov, and provide your name, phone number and email. For more information and directions, visit DNR’s website at www.dnr.wa.gov, and search the date under “Events.”
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