June 13 Trails Project Update

We would like to remind volunteers who wish to participate in the MRNPA's trail work parties that there are certain safety requirements and dictates which must be followed. Per John Titland:

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For the Mount Rainier National Park Associates trails work party on Saturday, June 13th, we will be working on the section of the Wonderland Trail in Stevens Canyon, repairing trail damage that happened during the winter.  We will meet at the east end of the parking lot at Reflection Lakes at between 8:30 and 9:00 AM.  Be ready to move out at a 9:00 AM.  We will be moving all our cars down the hill to either the point where the Wonderland Trail crosses the Stevens Canyon Road or further down to the Box Canyon picnic area parking lot.  No decision on that yet.

Be prepared for a hike to the work site.  And to be clear, from wherever we work - it will be an uphill climb to get back to the cars.

As always, bring your lunch and plenty of fluids to drink, work gloves and safety glasses, and a full set of rain gear.

If you plan to attend this June 13th trails work party, please reply to volunteer (at) mrnpa.org indicating that you are coming and give me the number of volunteers you expect to accompany you.  I need an estimate of the number of volunteers so that Park staff can be sure to have enough tools for us all.

There are safety equipment requirements for all MRNPA trail work volunteers. (These rules apply to all trail workers.)  Anyone using an aggressive tool - like a Pulaski, ax, shovel, etc. - or anyone working near them -  is required to wear a hard hat and safety glasses.  People working with or near a less aggressive tools are not required (but will be encouraged) to wear a hard hat.  If you own a hard hat that you can wear, please bring it.  If you do not have a hard hat, MRNPA and the NPS have hard hats that we loan for the day.

Wearing safety glasses is encouraged at all times. Not all safety glasses are comfortable for everyone and some will not fit over eye glasses.  Because of cleanliness issues, some people don't like wearing safety glasses that have been worn by other people.  For these reasons, and probably many others, please purchase (acquire, find, dig-up, whatever) a pair of personal safety glasses that you will wear.  The local hardware store is a good place to start shopping.  A serviceable pair or safety glasses will cost about $10.  And be advised that shatterproof eye glasses do not meet the requirement for safety glasses.  Safety glasses all have side protection which eyeglasses do not.