Help needed to build, repair trails in Southwest Washington
Volunteers are needed for several trail construction or restoration efforts in May in Southwest Washington.
Organized by the Washington Trails Association, the projects do not require previous trail work experience. The association provides all the tools and instruction, plus refreshments at the end of the day.
Trail work efforts scheduled in May include:
May 1 — Oaks to Wetlands trail, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, spreading bark mulch, pruning vegetation and building drain dips, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
May 3 — Vancouver Lake trail, new trail construction between Vancouver Lake and Buckmire Slough near Vancouver Lake Park, 9 a.m. to noon.
May 10 — Lacamas Park, clinic on tools and techniques for restoring trails, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
May 10-11 — Observation trail, Trapper Creek Wilderness, brushing and tread work on middle section of 7-mile trail, 8:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m., both days, optional campout.
May 31-June 1 — Ape Cave Viewpoint trail, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, new trail from ape Cave parking lot to a viewpoint, 8:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m., both day, campout optional.
For more information, call Ryan Ojerio, WTA’s Southwest regional manager, at 360-722-2657 or email ryan@wta.org.
Johnston Ridge Observatory opens May 10 for summer season
TOUTLE — Johnston Ridge Observatory will open for the season at 10 a.m. May 10.
Five miles from Mount St. Helens, the observatory will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center at Coldwater is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Open hours will be extended until 6 p.m.
Admission to Johnston Ridge or Coldwater is $8 per person, with youth age 15 and younger admitted free. Free admission days are May 18, June 7, June 14 and Sept. 27.
A special community art event is scheduled June 28 and 29 at Coldwater. Bands are scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Johnston Ridge on June 28, July 26 and Aug. 30. The concerts are free.
Oregon Bass and Panfish Club meets tonight in Portland
PORTLAND — The Oregon Bass and Panfish Club will meet at 7 p.m. today at the East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave.
Michael Gibney, a local bass tournament fishing professional, will discuss tactics for locating and catch bass in rivers. Club member Herb Doumitt will demonstrate knots for securing a boat.
The public is welcome.
