On May 31 and June 1 volunteers from Republic, Malo, Curlew, Orient and Colville worked together building another section of the new Gibraltar Trail just south of Republic on the Colville National Forest. Kettle Range Conservation Group organized the event as part of their seasonal trail building and maintenance program. Overcast weather and soft ground helped inspire volunteers to complete almost a mile of trail using hand tools supplied by the Republic Ranger District.
Volunteers built trail, cleared several large, downed trees from across the trail and repaired damage to completed trail sections caused by illegal motorcycle riding. Gibraltar Trail is a family-oriented non-motorized trail designed for moderate hiking, horseback riding, mountain bicycle riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Unique to the Gibraltar trail are groves of old growth Ponderosa, expansive meadows, wetlands and distant views of the Kettle Crest, Okanogan Highlands and the Canadian Rockies.
When completed the 13.5 mile Gibraltar Trail will form a loop trail connecting to Republic and the Fairgrounds. The Gibraltar Trail will add to Ferry County’s growing recreation and tourism infrastructure and will link up with the Ferry County Rail Trail via the Golden Tiger Trail. This summer contract crews will begin construction on the eastern trail section.
The western half of Gibraltar Trail is about two-thirds completed. To get there take Highway 20 east of Republic. Turn right onto Hall Creek Road, then west at the first right onto forest road 2053. After a few miles pass the new trailhead sign and an expansive parking lot on your left. A hundred feet beyond this point turn right on a side road and drive a half-mile to its dead end. This is about the trail’s midpoint, with a completed section to the north and trail under construction to the south. Or, drive about 1.5 miles further past the trail parking area to access another completed trail section that goes to Camel Back Mountain.
Volunteers are needed for another work party. For more information about the Gibraltar Trail or to volunteer to help build it visit www.kettlerange.org or call 775-2667.
