Volunteers needed for BLM Trail Building Project

Outdoor enthusiasts can celebrate National Public Lands Day by helping with trail building projects in the King Range National Conservation Area, Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will be treated to a barbecue lunch complete with vegetarian options as part of the event sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management and the Lost Cost Interpretive Association. To sign up, call the BLM King Range Project Office, (707) 986-5400.

Teams of volunteers will help build a new section of the Hidden Valley Interpretive Trail in the southern end of the conservation area, and work with members of the Bigfoot Mountain Biking Club build new connector trails to the Paradise Royale Mountain Biking Trail. Volunteers should meet at 10 a.m. at the BLM King Range Project Office, 768 Shelter Cove Rd. in Whitethorn.  The BLM will provide tools and gloves.  Volunteers must bring their own water and snacks for the day. Free camping will be available on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14 and 15.  Participants will also receive free one-day passes, valid for a year, at various public land recreation facilities across the nation. National Public Lands Day T-shirts also will be provided.

The projects are part of ongoing efforts to improve recreational opportunities in the King Range, which has 80 miles of hiking trails and 14 miles of mountain biking trails.  Once completed, the 2.5 mile Hidden Valley Interpretive Trail will enable hikers to experience the “gentler” side of the King Range, to learn about natural resources of the NCA and to experience grand ocean views. National Public Lands Day is the largest single day volunteer effort for public lands in the United States.  This year more than 180,000 volunteers are expected to complete projects are more than 2,000 sites.  While the official observance was Sept. 24, various local events were scheduled before and after the official observance to accommodate localized schedules for volunteers.