Activity Report Explorer

Cascade Volcanoes • Entered by Laurie Kerr on October 19, 2021

Dam Hike

October 16, 2021

Participants and Hours

Pre Planning hours	5
Post Admin hours
Activity Hours	3
Participants	2
Total Hours	11

Key Issue: Wildlife Protection
Activity Type: Education & Outreach (tabling, films & lectures, regional B-walks/works)
Key Partners: Twin Harbor Waterkeeper/Sierra Club Seattle Chapter

Measurable Outcomes

Outcome 1: Hiked (3 miles)

Short Description of Activity

Hike with Lee First to Chehalis Dam proposal site

Reflection/Evaluation

On October 16, Carolyn Mastin and I drove to Pe El, WA to see firsthand the Chehalis Headwaters. Driving time was approximately 2 1/2 hours, hiking time was approximately three hours.

We met Lee First, Twin Harbors Waterkeeper, and the other participants in Pe El and then carpooled to the trailhead a few miles west. There were approximately twelve of us, from various Great Old Broads and Sierra Club chapters including Seattle, Olympia, Vancouver, and Port Townsend. Apparently word has spread about the environmental concerns for this proposed project. I’m guessing that Lee has been busy disseminating information to these groups.

We hiked along a trail on one side of the river. It’s a beautiful area with a variety of plant and bird life. At one point we came to an area where the very steep slope above and near the river had been clearcut. Apparently this happened early this year. I saw no replanting so far. A strip of trees had been left to buffer the river, but as steep as the slope was, I wondered how much soil would erode with the winter rains.

We chatted as we hiked. Lee answered questions, but most in the group appeared to already have a fair amount of background information. This area has special importance for a variety of stakeholders, but in particular for the native salmon and steelhead. For at least one group of Native Americans this area is sacred and includes their creation story. We saw very few other people, with the exception of a hiker and two fishermen. Although I’d seen film footage of the Chehalis River area, actually being there in person was much more informative.

Carolyn and I took a back road most of the way home. These roads west of and paralleling the I-5 freeway hold countless small farms and small communities. Flying by on the freeway, it’s easy to never see them, but many of the stakeholders of this area live here. Logging and fishing were probably once the primary occupations, but I’m guessing that many now commute to larger towns for employment.