Gibraltar Trail excitement, from picks to Pulaskis

During a time when budget strains have forced trail closures across the region, it’s impressive to see a new trail being constructed, this one entirely through volunteer labor.

Last week I represented Conservation Northwest at a Washington Trails Association week-long work project on the Gibraltar Trail under construction southeast of Republic. The product of a years'-long collaboration between the Forest Service and local recreation and conservation organizations, including Conservation Northwest, the Gibraltar Trail will, when complete, offer more than 14 miles of non-motorized recreation, right outside Republic’s back door.

For the many Westsiders, the landscape was a revelation, defying their preconceptions of dry, drab eastern Washington.

Here in the foothills of the Kettle Range, myriad wildflowers--cushion phlox, larkspur, gromwell, lupine, paintbrush, woodland star, meadow death camas, and more—carpet the open, grassy slopes. Old-growth ponderosas and Douglas-firs, many still bearing the black, inverted-V scars of past fires, anchor the hillsides.

And the open terrain guarantees constant views. From many ridge tops one can peer down on Republic, and the weathered peaks of the southern Kettle Range—Sherman and Snow Peaks, Bald and Edds Mountains, Barnaby Buttes—stand sentry to the east.

Having spent a lot of time exploring the hidden gems of the Columbia Highlands, the beauty of the place was not a surprise to me. But the engineering feats that could be accomplished—turning rock and dirt into a five-star trail using hand tools such as picks, shovels, and Pulaskis—was.

Watching volunteers move 600-pound boulders using the simple principles of leverage, gravity, and teamwork was an awe-inspiring reminder that, during another era of financial turmoil, many of our region’s beloved trails were built by hand. The trail crews of the 1930s may have been paid a better wage, but I’m sure our volunteer crew ate better.

When the Gibraltar Trail is finally complete, it’s sure to be a quintessential Columbia Highlands hike. As a hiker and mountain biker I’m excited about the trail for its grand view and challenging but fun terrain. As a conservationist, I’m excited because this trail demonstrates how much can be accomplished when conservation and recreation groups—and hardy volunteers from around the state—work together.

This summer, celebrate our rich heritage of traditional tool use and leave a trail for future generations to enjoy.