Trail revision through the Alder Seep

TRAILS: 2.75 hours: 1:15 PM to 4:00PM

Opened up a  higher, more level route into the Alder Seep in Eastern Wedge unit #5.

Trail revision in Eastern Wedge unit #5. Cut a new route on the north side of Alder Seep to maintain the level grade as much as possible and avoid the original dip in the trail. Cut through the Doug firs on the hillside and emerged higher in the seep, with a gentle climb through the seep to the section on the south side. Test-carved the soft soil with the hand saw to create a level grade for walking – will return with a shovel and axe to finish the job. Only had to cut down one Doug fir (they are closely spaced here – this is one small part of the plantation that survived at close to its original stocking level).

View to the SW over the mouth of Clearwater Creek Creek into Chetlo Harbor.

The body of water in the background is the tidal Naselle River (coming in from the east – on the left), emptying into Chetlo Harbor, a SE arm of Willapa Bay. Only a few residents and one oyster processing facility around this cove. Willapa Bay is the most pristine estuary on the west coast of the U.S.