Trail work done in 2022. I was one of the Evergreen Volunteers of the Year.
Summary Total 41 days. 115 hours trail work, 158 hours total including travel time.
The Harris Creek trail is composed of 3 trails linked together as below, located in North Bend, WA.
| Count Days | Day | Work Hours | Location | Travel Hours | Type |
| 41 | Mon, Dec 26 | 2 | Raging River | 1 | trees |
| 40 | Sun, Dec 25 | 3 | Raging River | 1 | trees |
| 39 | Sat, Nov 26 | 2 | Raging River | 1 | trees |
| 38 | Sat, Nov 05 | 2 | Raging River | 1 | trees |
| 38 | Sat, Nov 05 | N/A | Harris Lake Trail | N/A | recon |
| 37 | Sat, Oct 29 | 4 | Harris Lake Trail | 1 | brush |
| 36 | Fri, Oct 28 | 2 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 35 | Sat, Oct 01 | 4 | Harris Creek / Harris Lake Trails | 1 | trees, brush |
| 34 | Wed, Sep 28 | 2 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 33 | Sat, Sep 24 | 3 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 32 | Thu, Sep 22 | 2 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 31 | Wed, Sep 14 | 2 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| N/A | Tue, Aug 30 | N/A | Harris Creek Trail | N/A | trash |
| 30 | Sun, Aug 28 | 3 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | brush, trash |
| 29 | Sat, Aug 27 | 3 | NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 28 | Tue, Aug 16 | 1 | NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 27 | Sat, Aug 13 | 3 | NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 26 | Fri, Aug 12 | 1 | NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 25 | Thu, Aug 11 | 2 | NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 24 | Wed, Jul 20 | 3 | NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 23 | Tue, Jul 19 | 3 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | brush |
| 22 | Sat, Jul 16 | 5 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | brush, trash |
| 21 | Sun, Jul 10 | 4 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | brush |
| 20 | Sat, Jul 09 | 2 | Hansen Ridge | 2 | brush |
| 19 | Sat, Jun 25 | 2 | Harris Creek Trail / Hansen Ridge | 2 | brush, trash |
| 18 | Thu, Jun 23 | 1 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 17 | Sun, Jun 19 | 1 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 16 | Sat, Jun 18 | 4 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | brush, trash |
| 15 | Wed, Jun 15 | 3 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trees, trash |
| 14 | Sat, Jun 11 | 4 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | brush |
| 13 | Wed, Jun 08 | 1 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | creek crossing |
| 12 | Sat, Jun 04 | 5 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | brush |
| 11 | Mon, May 30 | 4 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | brush, trash |
| 10 | Sat, May 28 | 5 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trees |
| 9 | Fri, May 27 | 3 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trees, trash |
| 8 | Sat, May 21 | 3 | Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trees |
| 7 | Sat, May 14 | 2 | NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 6 | Thu, May 12 | 2 | NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 5 | Tue, May 10 | 2 | NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 4 | Sun, Apr 24 | 5 | NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 3 | Sat, Apr 23 | 5 | NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 2 | Sat, Apr 09 | 4 | NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
| 1 | Fri, Apr 08 | 1 | NF-9020 / Harris Creek Trail | 1 | trash |
Mon, Dec 26 2 hours
Upward Mobility-2 and Upper Flow State. Mostly small trees for clearing. I went up UM-2 and back, then early section of Upper Flow State till I ran into Jenny who told me the remainder of the trail is cleared. My electric pole saw seems to have burnt out the motor, so todays work was with the Silky Big Boy handsaw.
Facebook, Sun, Dec 25 3 hours
Clearing trees at Raging River on Upward Mobility #1 and Lower Flow State. Both trails I completely cleared of downed trees, 10 on UM-1 and 3 on LFS. I also removed a lot of incidental branches along the way. This time I just hiked in because both trails were adjacent to the trail head. Most trees were cut with my pole saw, but the last 4 ones by hand with my Silky Big Boy because I exhausted both batteries.
Facebook, Sat, Nov 26 2 hours
Raging River. I cleared a couple trees at the beginning of Upward Mobility #1 trail. I then did a sweep to the closed section at Raging River #3 before turning back due to heavy wet snow.
Facebook, Sat, Nov 05 2 hours
Raging River. Removed a couple trees along the Raging River #4 trail.
Facebook, Sat, Nov 05 0 hours
Harris Lake Trail. Battled cold temperatures, hail, and rain. Only to find out that the culvert at Alice Creek washed out, so trail is not passable today. On return, spoke with ranger for long time about problems facing this trail, but he's not going to change anything to help.
Facebook, Sat Oct 29 4 hours
I took the eBike 5.2 miles to Harris Lake trail. I did brushwork with loppers for extremely overgrown trail to the point where you couldn't see the trail and, in some cases, it would stop the bike. Threw the brush debris off the trail.
Note: The distance to this work site was 5.2 miles with cumulative elevation gain of 1,940 feet. Trailhead elevation is 2,240 feet, work site at Harris Lake trail is 3,450 feet. No snow in sight today, but these numbers will be important later in the season to reference weather reports.
Facebook, Fri Oct 28 2 hours
I picked up 341 rifle shells and broken glass at the Harris Creek trailhead. The broken glass was embedded in the soil all throughout the trailhead so took much effort to remove.
Facebook, Sat Oct 01 4 hours
Harris Creek trail. Removed tree by side of trail as it was a hazard. Cleared alder brush in 2 sections just prior to and just after the three-way intersection to Harris Lake trail.
Facebook, Wed Sep 28 2 hours
Removed the Land Rover tire final half mile to the trailhead, then took it home for later recycling. Picked up 106 more bullet casings from the Harris Creek trailhead, mostly from 22, including a dozen unspent bullets.
Facebook, Sat Sep 24 3 hours
I recovered a Land Rover tire 200 feet down a scree field, then rolled it 1.1 miles down the trail towards the trailhead. Need to take it 0.5 mile further though, another day this was hard work. Picked up trash from the forest road, filled 2 pails plus some metal from destroyed signs for recycling.
Facebook, Thu Sep 22 2 hours
Removed 255 shell casings and much tiny fragments of broken glass from the first quarter mile at Harris Creek Trail. Removed destroyed equipment from highway work from the NF-9020 forest service road.
Facebook, Wed Sep 14 2 hours
Cleaned trailhead to Harris Creek. Removed 152 shell casings and remnants of explosive targets. Removed trash at trailhead as well as primitive campground a quarter mile from the trailhead.
Facebook Tue, Aug 30 0 hours
Actually 1 hour, but not counting it due to failure to achieve objective. Attempted to remove lug nut from tire discarded in woods, but socket got stuck. Attempted to remove metal parts of a barbeque, but bucket used to carry it broke. Illegal shooting by 3 people at end of day, they refused to stop, and trailhead was littered with hundreds of shells from them, trailhead was perfect shape a couple hours prior, as I started the effort.
Facebook Sun, Aug 28 3 hours
Lopper work to remove brush at Harris Creek trail. Also, removed a tire from the trailhead for recycling.
Facebook Sat, Aug 27 3 hours
Removed metal waste deep in the trail down a scree field. Picked up 55 shell casings and half pail of garbage from the trailhead to Harris Creek. Dismantled bed springs and removed metal from NF-9020 road.
Facebook Tue, Aug 16 1 hour
Environmental cleanup at Harris Creek trail. Hauled more of the barbeque parts from 1.6 miles down the trail. Picked up 193 casings from 9 mm handgun from people who were illegally shooting at the trailhead.
Facebook Sat, Aug 13 3 hours
Environmental cleanup at Harris Creek Trail. Removed part of barbeque from steep scree field 1.6 miles down the trail. Cleaned up trash plus 500 shotgun shells from illegal shooting pit.
Facebook Fri, Aug 12 1 hour
Worked with WA-Dept of Ecology to haul 55-gallon drum a quarter mile down the trail to the trailhead. This was to stage it for later removal, and it was removed next day by them.
Facebook Thu, Aug 11 2 hours
More Environmental cleanup at Harris Creek trail. Cleared trail in vicinity of Hazardous waste drum to aid in removing it shortly. Picked up 2,500 shotgun shells from illegal shooting pit and disposed of it.
Facebook Wed, July 20 3 hours
Environmental cleanup at Harris Creek. (1) Assessed car parts in scree field. (2) Assessed 55-gallon drum of hazardous waste. (3) Picked up bucket of trash along NF-9020 road. (4) Dismantled burnt bed by side of NF-9020 and disposed of half of it.
Facebook Tue, July 19 3 hours
Harris Creek with lopper for alder trees. Cleared the section at the beginning of the second climb, to midway through it.
Facebook Sat, July 16 5 hours
Loppers to get thick alder trees to the ground. I worked from the flat section after the first climb out of Harris Creek, to the beginning of the second climb.
Facebook Sun, July 10, 2022 4 hours
I was doing brush work today at Harris Creek, with loppers for alder trees. I completed the first climb out of Harris Creek, then I dealt with pretty fearsome overgrowth of alders on the flat section between the first and second climbs. In some sections, it was just not possible to bike through, you'd have to push, and the trees would be pushing back. I got a ton of work done today, lot of alder tree overgrowth higher up. Both creek crossings can be done with dry feet now.
Facebook Sat, July 09, 2022 2 hours
Hansen Ridge. Minor removal of small trees and brush on the trail. Some minor rock work to adjust for a small rockslide that blocked trail.
Facebook Sat, June 25 1 of 2 plus Facebook Sat, June 25 2 of 2 2 hours
First Harris Creek to pick up trash. Later, I went to Hansen Ridge and lopped brush on the spur road 5510-510 see link below for this seldom used trail.
Facebook Thu, Jun 23 2022 1 hour
Picked up shot up pumpkin from trailhead as that can be food for bears. Spent much time picking up broken glass that was shot into Corona bottles by a stump at the trailhead. Picked up 256 shell casings, mostly from 22 bullets.
Facebook Sun, Jun 19 2022 1 hour
Did not intend to do just trash cleanup, but something halted the trail work, so I reverted to the trail head. I cleaned up trash at the trailhead, 56 more shell casings and a moderate amount of trash. Trail head was not as bad as expected, and I wrapped it up in an hour.
Facebook Sat, Jun 18 2022 4 hours
Loppers for removing tree branches and thick brush at Harris Creek trail. Work done was just past the Harris Creek crossing, on the first climb out of it.
Facebook Wed, Jun 15, 2022 3 hours
At the trailhead to Harris Creek trail, I used the pole saw to remove trees that fell on the trailhead, as well as on a car tire. Removed 330 shell casings plus lots of broken glass from the trailhead.
Facebook Sat, Jun 11, 2022 4 hours
Brush work with Ethan Espie using loppers. We focused on brush and branches that obstruct the trail or otherwise encroach on it. Worked on 9 active areas that were impeding trail. Rock Creek to Harris Creek is now able to be biked non-stop, but for sustainable trail will require much more work with electric hedge trimmers for the smaller stuff. Harris Creek is flowing fast, cold, and deep from snow runoff. Recommend to turn around there instead of risking crossing.
Facebook Wed, Jun 08, 2022 1 hour
Worked on improving flow and creek crossing at Rock Creek along Harris Creek trail. Removed jammed log between stepping stones to allow proper flow. Removed small debris as beginning of effort to restore flow on the near side.
Facebook Sat, Jun 04, 2022 5 hours - National Trails Day
Brush work for section of Harris Creek trail prior to Rock Creek. Severely overgrown section with trees and thick brush required electric hedge trimmers for bulk of work, also loppers for small trees and brush too thick for the hedge trimmers. Removed all debris so final cut with trimmers able to get to the ground for best maintenance.
Facebook Mon, May 30, 2022 4 hour - Memorial Day
Finished a section of brush that had been cut but not to the ground, fixed it with loppers. Continued lopping small trees that were encroaching on the trail. Worked the section midway between Alice Creek and Rock Creek. Removed more trash from the trailhead, mostly broken glass.
Facebook Sat, May 28, 2022 5 hours
Mostly loppers to remove small trees and branches from Harris Creek. I worked mostly at Alice Creek and Rock Creek along Harris Creek trail as the nearby water source causes fast growth there. End of day, more broken glass removed from the trailhead.
Facebook Fri, May 27, 2022 3 hours
Used the pole saw to remove small trees from the beginning of the Harris Creek trail. Later spent final hour picking up broken glass and rifle shells from the trailhead.
Facebook Sat, May 21, 2022 3 hours.
I cut trees from the Harris Creek trailhead itself, then along the trail, using my pole saw.
Facebook Sat, May 14, 2022 2 hours.
I delivered 3 car loads of trash that I had recovered from the forest on NF-9020 to the recyclers today. 10 Auto tires, 5 of which were still on rims, a bicycle tire, and two televisions, one large one small.
Facebook Thu, May 12, 2022 2 hours
Trash removal from NF-9020, trail to Harris Creek. I recovered 3 more tires, 2 of which still on rims, a bicycle tire, and a fairly large television that was all shot up.
Facebook Tue, May 10, 2022 2 hours.
I removed 6 tires from NF-9020, the road leading to Harris Creek trail. All of this was at the location where people go shooting and bonfires, about 50 feet or so down a steep embankment. The tires that were mounted weighed 75 pounds; the others were in the range of 35-50. As always, people who dump crap have to make it difficult by pushing down a steep embankment.
Facebook Sun, April 24, 2022 5 hours
Trash removal from NF-9020, trail to Harris Creek, included lots of broken glass, cans, and shotgun shells as always. I snagged a television that was thrown 50 feet down a steep embankment. I removed the flare that was used to set the bed on fire (ref yesterday's work). Got a rusty bald tire still fully pressurized. The frame of a car seat minus the fabric. The frame of a desk still assembled. And 5 more gallons of paint from a different location than yesterday's haul of 20 gallons of paint. Second day in a row I completely filled my car with trash removed from the forest.
Apr 23, 2022. Saturday, 5 hours
Removed trash from the NF-9020 forest service road, leading to the Harris Creek Trailhead. Removed 20 gallons of paint that was disposed in a wet ditch. Lot of broken glass and cans removed.
Apr 09, 2022, Saturday. 4 hours.
I covered 2.7 miles of picking up garbage from the side of the road. This included a few firepit sites, bottles, cans, shotgun shells, someone's headlight, the list goes on. Worked in a hailstorm that later become a snowstorm, got pretty soaking wet.
Apr 08, 2022, Friday. 1 hour.
I went midway up the 9020 road, the one leading to Harris Creek trail, and picked up a fair volume of bottles, cans, electronics, etc. from where you park to ride the Palouse aka iron horse trail. I later stopped many times along the way to pick up bottles and cans in the ditch on the road.
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To understand the relationship between Harris Creek Trail (NF-9020), Harris Lake Trail, and Hansen Ridge, see image below.
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RESOURCES (personal notes)
- Snow Levels. See June Lake Snotel for snow levels at Mt St. Helens, typically good to go at Lower Smith when just a foot snow remaining. As of June 12, 2022, snow level at 42 inches (3.5 feet). Lower Smith Creek is lower elevation and melts out quicker. Confirm road access at Ape Canyon TH, in 2022 the road opened around June 11.
- Trash removal. The county can give a waiver for fees at the dump/waste facilities, if you call them. Illegal dumping hotline - litter and illegal dumping - King County
- IFPL. Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) | WA - DNR
