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On Saturday, May 30, a hearty crew of 24 hiked into the Sage Hills to build a new section of trail. The Gut Trail, heading north-south paralleling the powerlines and providing the low-elevation connection between the southern Sage hills trails and the northern Sage Hills trails had become known as "The Rut." This crew, organized by the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and made up of Land Trust members, Backcountry Horsemen, The Chelan County Democrats, and a few trail enthusiasts willing to give back to the trails that give them so much, set out to build approximately 800 feet of new trail to bypass an eroded steep section of trail.
A 30-minute hike from Maiden Lane saddled with tools and water and the ever important beach umbrella for shade placed this crew at the bottom of the new section. The area was prepped well with little green flags marking the way and Patrick's previous days work of clearing the vegetation with a weed whacker drawing a distinct line for the trail made for quick and decisive operations. The crew spread out along the length of the trail each taking on a small section with gusto and determination, some with a Pulaski, others with a Macleod, shovel, grub hoe, or rake all began to move dirt and a trail took form. Within an hour and half some of the folks working on the top of the trail began moving to help with the bottom and shouts of "The trail is done!" began to move through the group. By the end of the second hour of work, the trail was connected, buffed and compacted as much as possible and the crew headed back down the hill satisfied and excited about the work that had been accomplished.
The details...
A new trail was built bypassing the section of the Gut Trail that travels up the steep and eroded road bed. This was done in an effort to provide a more sustainable grade and trail for users to follow and prevent further erosion on the current trail bed which continues to widen each year. The new trail will be soft until the soils can be firmed up with some moisture and for the time being both sections of trail will remain open. We do plan to obliterate the old trail in the fall and re-vegetate with native plants and grasses. Horses are asked to stay off of the new section of trail until next spring when it has had time to set itself and firm up for a season. Trail maintenance to improve unsustainable trails will continue throughout the Sage Hills trail system as weather and trail conditions allow. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions for where a trail may need improvement please contact Patrick Walker, Trails Coordinator for the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, 667-9708.