IT’S NO SECRET we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
We have majestic mountains, rivers and oceans to look at — and, in many locations, at the same time.
And if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, it doesn’t get better than this because we’ve got miles and miles of trails to explore.
Who maintains trails?
Have you ever stopped to think about who maintains and clears those trails?
While the U.S. Forest Service maintains some, they simply don’t have the funds to remove growing brush and downed trees, or to rebuild trails that have been washed out by rains and winter storms.
We can actually thank volunteer groups such as Back Country Horsemen of Washington for maintaining trails.
Even if you don’t actually use the trails yourself, all of us who live here do benefit from them.
Why? Because they draw outdoor enthusiasts throughout the globe, and with them come tourists who spend money, which in turn helps our local economy.
I’d like to give a shout-out of thanks to all those volunteers who work so hard to refine our trails.
Back Country Horsemen’s Mount Olympus chapter’s been hard at work lately clearing the trails surrounding Mount Muller.
After spending four days camping at the Littleton Horse Camp with fellow members, Jeff Doan gave an enthusiastic report of how they rid the trails of brush, downed trees and branches, and had “more contact with yellow jackets than I care for.”
Those little stingers did nothing to damper his overall experience of “interactions with great people and one heck of a feeling of accomplishment for great effort.”
Member Sherry Baysinger refers to those who help clear trails as “Trail Warriors.”
On a rainy day earlier this month, she said 10 members showed up to brush (clear) the east end of the Littleton/Mount Muller loop trail, and “all put in a hard day, some running chain saws, weed whackers and loppers, to get 400 yards of trail brushed out.”
In some places, she said, the trail hadn’t been brushed out in almost 30 years and was in some places barely visible.
That might not sound like they got very far, unless you were one of those doing the actual work.
But, as Baysinger said, “we’re just a bunch of dedicated people wanting to have trails to ride.”
Much of the work was done in preparation for this weekend’s camp-out and chapter ride.
While today is the final day, there will still be lots of trail riding.
For more information, contact Larry Baysinger at 360-327-3611.
Miller time
BCH Peninsula Chapter member Tom Mix and crew recently spent a long workday clearing more trails of brush and weeds over at the Miller Peninsula.
I’m in constant amazement at all the hours Mix, local BCH members and other volunteers spend updating and maintaining our neighborhood trails.
It’s my hope that non-horse people who either walk, run, hike or bike these trails can come to appreciate how much work these horse folks do for trails that are enjoyed by all.
So please, show some patience if you see little plops of horse manure on the trails and just go around it.
A note for those riding horses on lower trails: While it can be a pain (literally to those of us with older, aching bodies), remember when your horse poops to dismount and kick it off the trail.
We need to keep these trails open to stock use.
Incidentally, Mix shared an unofficial but highly useful map of the Miller trail system with the BCH put together by a Diamond Point resident.
For more information, email peninsulaBCHW chapter@gmail.com.
And beware, there’s been recent sightings of a black bear in the area of Fireweed Lane.
Yep, the trails are open for bear use, too.
Occasionally, some people ask if BCH members are required to work the trails.
The answer is absolutely not.
In fact, the majority of members just take part in the rides, and some just like the potlucks and get-togethers after the rides.
Those who do the work do so because they enjoy it and the good feeling that comes from accomplishment.
Events
• OPEN hosts a discount Equine Vet Clinic, tack sale and quilt raffle — 10 a.m. Oct. 1.
Dr. Sean Tuley, DVM, will offer low-cost teeth floats, vaccinations and more.
There will be numerous items at the tack sale, including saddles, blankets and headstalls.
Also, you can check out the horses available for adoption.
Call 360-207-1688 for an appointment or more information.
• Baker’s Stables show — 10 a.m. Oct. 29.
This is the first in the winter schooling show series at Baker’s Stables, 164 Four Winds Road, Port Angeles.
For more information, contact Dana or Tom King at 360-457-6039 or 360-460-7832.
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Karen Griffiths’ column, Peninsula Horseplay, appears the second and fourth Sunday of each month.
If you have a horse event, clinic or seminar you would like listed, please email Griffiths at kbg@olympus.net at least two weeks in advance. You can also call her at 360-460-6299.
