Trail Mix

by Tim Rensema, Natural Resources

“Port Ludlow — A Destination Hiking Village”

Two stalwart broom pullers off Paradise Bay Road. Photo credit: Sally Nuerenburg

Besides our seasonal mowing efforts headed up by Jim Mueller, this last month has been dedicated to two major endeavors. Trails has been installing more stairs: (1) At the Timberton-ABT connector — a Pete Porter/Glen Bell effort; and (2) On the connecting trail between the McCormick Rail Trail and the Interpretive Loop, a much-needed project. Meanwhile, our other Fun Days have been committed to finishing the Oak Bay Trail (OBT). We are finishing up the last section of the OBT, connecting Walker Lane with the Around the Bay Trail (ABT). We are working from both ends, and the going is a bit slow, due to the terrain and the vegetative growth.

The connection to the Port Ludlow Cemetery is complete from the ABT, but the cemetery is not quite ready for public use. The OBT will follow along the west end of the cemetery and we hope to connect to the other Walker crew in mid-May. So far, Glen Bell of that southbound crew, has installed many steps to deal with the climb. Some interesting sites to see (other than the view of Ludlow Cove) will be the abutments of the old Port Ludlow water tower and the remains of the water reservoir that was installed to provide fresh water for Port Ludlow and the mill. We will also be installing some of our typical resting/viewing benches at strategic locations along the route.

We had fourteen dedicated pullers come together this year for the annual community Scotch Broom Pull, followed by a grilled luncheon at the Beach Club. This effort is committed to removing unwanted invasives from our common areas’ roads and trails. This year, we plan to remove Scotch Broom and some English Ivy. These invasives have no US controls, so spread rapidly and require constant vigilance. It has been a slow fight, but we are reducing the Scotch Broom from our public roads and trails. Hopefully, later in the summer we can start in removal of Tansy Ragwort, another major invasive of Port Ludlow.

Someone cut the top off an apple tree that is on the Timberton Trail. They also put black plastic globes on the branches. Neither Trails nor PLA were informed of this. You are required to get the owners’ permission according to Washington State regulations.

If you want to come out for a Fun Day of camaraderie while helping to improve our community, send an email to mclgscott@cablespeed.com. “Let’s Keep Improving our Trails.”