Newcastle Trails

NEWCASTLE TRAILS

About Newcastle Trails

NEWCASTLE TRAILS is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit volunteer organization focused on the preservation, expansion, and maintenance of trails within the City of Newcastle, Washington.

We recommend trail routes, identify priorities, and maintain a registry of volunteers to assist the City in trail work. Trail efforts will be planned and budgeted by the City in conformance with the Parks and Trails Plan.

Members need not reside in Newcastle, and equestrians are welcome. There are no dues. We communicate primarily by email. For more information, contact info@newcastletrails.org.

BOARD MEMBERS:
Garry Kampen (President)
Jim Price (Vice President)
Peggy Price (Secretary/Treasurer)
Joel Haq (Volunteer Coordinator)
Grace Stiller (Weed Warriors)
Jody Yoder (Historical Society)
Giles Velte (Board Representative)

Terrace Trail

The Terrace Trail is NT's major project for 2007 and early 2008, carried out in cooperation with the City of Newcastle, the Issaquah Alps Trails Club, and Boy Scout Troop 499.

The new Terrace Trail winds up the forested DeLeo Wall from the historic Thomas Rouse Road (144th Place SE) to the Terrace subdivision and Cougar Mountain Park. The lower entrance to the trail is directly opposite the gated back entrance of the Highlands subdivision (SE 87th St.). The route features large trees (some storm-toppled), ferns, views, and huge moss-covered boulders (glacial erratics). The trail is being built to high standards - ample width and gentle slopes, with steps where needed.

For trail volunteers, this project offers an opportunity to work under a forest canopy surrounded by natural beauty, to see examples of the trail-builder's art, to gain public-service credits, and to create something tangible that will serve generations of walkers and nature-lovers.

DIRECTIONS TO LOWER TRAILHEAD: From downtown Newcastle, follow Coal Creek Parkway south, turn left at the Milepost traffic light, follow 135th Ave SE up to the Elementary School, turn left on 136th Ave SE, then right onto 144th Place SE (the old Thomas Rouse Road). The lower trailhead is on 144th at SE 87th St (opposite the gated back entrance to the Highlands). The Highlands gate is closed to vehicles, and the north access to 144th is a one-way street northbound.

Calendar

May 11 - June 7 Unofficial Work Parties (see below)

May 17 Saturday Ivy Pull at Cemetery (10AM-noon)

June 2 Monday Board Meeting (7-9PM)

June 7 Saturday Ivy Pull at Cemetery (10AM-noon)

The events above are all open to the public. Details below.

Work Parties

Volunteers of all ages and skills are welcome (but see Policies in the next column). We provide trail tools (plus leather gloves, water, and sometimes snacks) but feel free to bring your own equipment.

Official work parties are those listed on our calendar. Participants who haven't already done so are asked to sign a waiver, and a short course in safe tool use is provided. Unofficial work parties may be called (or cancelled) by crew leaders, and are open to those who've signed the waiver for the current year. Contact: Peggy Price at 425-829-2196 (cell), or NT at info@newcastletrails.org.

We're currently working on the upper part of the Terrace Trail, so the work site has shifted to the upper trailhead. Driving directions are given below; for a map, click on Trails and Maps. If you'd like to see the completed trail and avoid construction, start from the lower trailhead opposite the Highlands.

DIRECTIONS TO WORK SITE: From I-405, take the Coal Creek Parkway exit (just south of the I-90 interchange) and follow the Parkway east and then south through downtown Newcastle (passing McDonald's on your right). From downtown Newcastle, follow Coal Creek Parkway south, turn left on SE 79th Place (opposite the S end of Lake Boren, at Beit Tikvah sign), follow 79th uphill, and go straight through a 4-way stop. Turn right into China Creek and follow SE 79th Drive (planting strip down middle) uphill nearly a half-mile. Just past China Creek Park (grassy slope on right), turn right on 144th Ave. SE and follow it uphill until it crests; then curve left and head downhill. Take the next right (146th Place SE), turn right again onto SE 85th St, and follow it uphill. The (unmarked) Terrace Trail starts on your right just before the cul-de-sac; follow the barked route along the fence and down the steps to the work site.

Ivy Pull at Cemetery

WEED WARRIORS: Students can earn community service hours pulling ivy at the historical Newcastle Cemetery located northeast of Lake Boren Park on 129th Ave SE. From Lake Boren Park, it's a short walk to the access road at the northeast corner of the park, then north to the cemetery. All volunteers are welcome! Contact: Grace Stiller at gracestiller@comcast.net.

Next Board Meeting
June 2, 2008 7-9 PM

Monday, at the home of Garry Kampen, 12601 SE 75th Place. Board meetings are generally scheduled for the first Monday of the month, and are always open to the public. If you plan to attend, please call (425) 271-6181 or email NT at info@newcastletrails.org.

Trail News

INFORMAL TRAIL WORK: Some enterprising Windtree residents are incorporating a gravel stop in their walks. Noticing the pile of crushed rock at Bartrum Station (left over from an NT work party), they bring along buckets and carry a load to a wet spot on the trail. Little by little the trail is getting some needed repair. Thanks to all.

Be a stealth trailworker yourself. Bring some hand clippers along to prune overhanging trees and shrubs. Or wear garden gloves and pull weeds encroaching on the trail. It takes just minutes, and it all adds up.

WEED WARRIORS: NT has tackled ivy and other plant pests in our work parties, and we're happy to join forces with a new group, the Weed Warriors. Our local group, led by new board member Grace Stiller, is based on the Weed Warriors of Bainbridge Island.

TERRACE TRAIL: The trail is now walkable; but the upper section is unfinished. Be careful in construction areas.

OLYMPUS TRAIL: If you're walking south from downtown Newcastle on the Waterline Trail, and turn off at the cemetery onto the CrossTown Trail, you'll encounter the Olympus Trail a short distance to the west. The north segment zig-zags up a hill in the Olympic Pipeline corridor; the middle segment follows the corridor through Olympus; and the south segment will run east to rejoin the Waterline Trail. The corridor is owned by the Olympus Homeowners' Association, which plans a major landscaping effort.

NT looks forward to working with OHA on the existing trail. And we'll continue to work with the developers of Eden Grove as they build the south and final segment, which will link Olympus to May Creek Park and provide a grand loop via the Waterline Trail.

Policies:

WORK PARTIES: We generally meet at 9 and work till noon (but folks often stay later). It's OK to come late if you've worked before (signed the waiver, had the tool & safety lecture); if you see parked cars, just sign in and head up the trail. Work includes tasks from stick-tossing and brush-cutting to digging: something for everyone, no special skills required. We teach basic skills of trail construction and maintenance, tool use and safety.

WHAT TO BRING: We provide the trail tools (plus leather gloves, water, and sometimes snacks - especially on official work parties). Volunteers should dress and equip as they would for a hike, but plan to get dirtier. You may want to bring your own water, snacks, gloves and tools; you should wear long pants, sturdy shoes, and rain gear (if the weather looks that way), plus bug repellant, and sunblock (hey, we're optimists).

CHILDREN: Children are welcome, but any child under 12 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For ages 12 to 16, we'd like to see one adult for every four children.