Small Town News

Youth give Mount Rainier trails new life

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As of last week, visitors and avid hikers will have improved trails to look forward to, thanks to a group of twenty hardworking teens from Northwest Youth Corps, who are building new trails on the Glacier Basin trail in Mount Rainier National Park.

In November 2006, the Park had record rains and flooding. Massive amounts of water washed away feet of topsoil, leaving countless boulders and river rock bare. Today, most of the first half of the 3.7 mile Glacier Basin Trail is an obstacle course of logjams, landslides and long stretches of river rock. Glacier Basin Trail is a primary access route for people climbing Mount Rainier.

Part of this Trail is being reconstructed, thanks to Northwest Youth Corps cerws eager tp take on the challenge. Undaunted by steep hills, the teens are using loppers, rock bars, sledge hammers, and mattocks to make a difference for the community and the environment.

The NYC crews were especially picked for this challenging project because of NYC's experience with using hand and power tools in isolated bavkcountry conservation settings, and its reputation for high quality, productive crews.

Crewmembers involved in this peoject will also have the opportunity to earn a non-taxable education stipend of $1,225 for their five weeks of work, plus the chance to live in some of the most veautiful parts of the Pacific Northwest, travel, make new friends, get into shape and earn high school credit.

Teens ages 16-19 wanting the NYC experience are encouraged to apply for its fall progeam, which lasts five weeks and begins Sept. 12. To enroll, teens should fill out an application as soon as possible at www.nwyouthcorps.org or call: 541-349-5055.

Established in 1984, Northwest Youth Corps is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create leaders through teamwork, education, and outdoor conservation work experiences. NYC is the region's largest and oldest outdoor conservation and youth education program, and serves youth from all backgrounds.



Copyright 2009 The Dispatch, Eatonville, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2009 The Dispatch Eatonville, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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