The group traveled to Doris Lake (left) to fix up the trails and did the same at Pasayten Alpine Wilderness (right) and spent a full week working together on creating hiker utopias. (Photos courtesy of John Lochner)
WTA member talks about about his experiences on the trail and encourages others to join
John Lochner, Staff Reporter
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JANUARY 24, 2019
Washington Trails Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to building trails and fostering interests in hiking and the outdoors. They do everything from environmental budget lobbying to trail reports and youth volunteer trips.
Two years ago, I went on my first WTA youth volunteer trip to the Pasayten Alpine Wilderness, more than 7,500 ft above sea level. The group of 10 high schoolers and one trail leader were all from various parts of Washington and hiking backgrounds — some even being out for their first time.
Senior Will Meade is an environmentalist and outdoor enthusiast that joined the group, “WTA trips were not only an opportunity for me to explore one of the most beautiful places in the great northwest, but also a chance for me to meet and work with some incredible like-minded people who share my love for the outdoors,” Meade said. “I met all kinds of amazing, funny and unique people, including a senior who arrived in 90-degree summer heat with a thermal insulated ski jacket.”
Being out in the woods for a week is a stress free escape from the 30 daily college emails most of us get. Sophomore Caroline Lochneris an ambassador for WTA, “my summer was very hectic, and having a week away from all of the stress was a great way to clear my head,” Lochner said.
When starting a hike, we know nothing about the trail other than where the problem area is. Volunteers work as a team to come up with creative and elegant solutions to complex problems.
My last trip involved fixing a badly eroded trail that had injured some stock animals. On this trip, aside from the end goal of fixing the trail, we had a lot of freedom in designing our solution, and this freedom allowed us to build a hiking enthusiast utopia.
In the Pasayten Alpine Wilderness the group earned 56 of the required service hours clearing the trail and helping injured animals. (Photo courtesy of John Lochner)
The impact a team can make on a trail in one week is huge, it’s amazing to have a lasting testament to the trip and a very real and positive impact on the trail. Additionally, high schoolers can earn 56 of the required 60 service hours in one week!
If you want to get involved with environmental advocacy, youth outreach or give back even further, apply to be a Youth Ambassador. As senior Jackson Fasser put it, “ If you have the opportunity to go on one of these outings, you should definitely take it.”
The opportunities to give back to nature and our trails are endless.
