Beams of sunlight peaked through the dense second growth of Douglas Firs on Taylor Mountain last Thursday, trying their best to dry out the thick black mud caking the surface of Elk Ridge Trail.
The clouds parted that day perhaps because they knew a team of 80 energetic sophomores from Tahoma High School were about to get muddy.
The students are enrolled in Outdoor Academy, an integrated program at Tahoma Senior High School. The class is a combination of three subject areas taught by three teachers, advanced placement environmental science, language arts and health and fitness.
The learning is a hands-on, interactive, real-world approach that lasts the entire school year. Last Thursday, the crew took to Taylor Mountain, northeast of Hobart, to work on fixing drainage issues on Elk Ridge Trail.
The trail, which runs parallel to the Cedar River Watershed boundary and on land owned by Seattle Public Utilities, is maintained by King County Parks and Washington Trails Association volunteers.
Because the trail was established along the flattest part of the ridge instead of near the slope, the lack of proper drainage causes it to become extremely muddy during the off season when it’s closed.
As part of their class, the 80 students from Tahoma, along with volunteers from WTA and King County Parks, worked on establishing proper drainage by carving funnels along the trail for water runoff.
Elk Ridge Trail connects to several other trails on Taylor Mountain and is predominantly used by horse riders. After trekking through the mud-covered trail for about a mile, hikers will see the trail split into two, which is about where the Taylor Mountain Forest boundary is.
Because Taylor Mountain isn’t labeled on any satellite maps, the locations of its trails are fairly unknown to people that haven’t been led there before.
For those that want to see the beauty of the second growth forest along Elk Ridge Trail in the late summer months, once the land has had a chance to dry out, follow these directions.
Take state Route 18 to the Hobart exit, follow 276th Ave Southeast south and turn left onto 208th Street. You’ll see a sign that says, “No access to Rattlesnake Mountain.” Keep going. Follow Southeast 208th Street until you see a large gravel pullout with signs that instruct you to not park on the pavement. Don’t park on the pavement. If you parked on the south side of the road, the trailhead will be to your left, or on the north side of the road. Walk along this road, it will curve to the right and you’ll see a steep entrance to Elk Ridge Trail.
