Cowlitz-Naches Chapter Trail School: Building Skills, Partnerships, and Momentum at Konnowac Pass
Last weekend, our Cowlitz-Naches Chapter hosted the first-ever Trail School at Konnowac Pass, bringing together a group of local riders, volunteers, and trail advocates. Together, we learned the fundamentals of sustainable trail design and maintenance, shared stories, and spent time working side by side on the land that brings this community together.
For a growing mountain bike community in the Yakima Valley, the weekend felt like something bigger: a glimpse of what's possible when people come together around trails.
17 participants joined us on day one and 12 returned for day two, moving from classroom sessions to hands-on work in the field. Attendees left with practical skills they can carry to trail systems throughout the region—and new relationships with a shared sense of stewardship.
This Trail School was also a celebration of partnership. The weekend brought together the Evergreen Cowlitz-Naches Chapter, Cowiche Canyon Conservancy, Yakima Greenway, and longtime trail builder Will Hollingbery of Singletrack Alliance of Yakima. Each organization played a role in making the weekend possible, from providing classroom space and worksites to sharing decades of trail knowledge.
Konnowac Pass itself stands as a testament to that collaboration. Many of the trails there were built through the vision and hard work of local advocates who believed the valley deserved more places to ride, explore, and connect with the outdoors. Securing them under the management of Cowiche Canyon Conservancy and investing in continued maintenance ensures that they will continue to serve future generations.
A special thank you goes to Will Hollingbery and Singletrack Alliance of Yakima for the lasting legacy of trail work in the valley. Generations of riders have benefited from that dedication, and we were honored to have Will join the weekend and share his experience with the next wave of trail stewards.
"The chapter council all found it extremely worthwhile and send a big heartfelt thank you. I think this was a pivotal moment for mountain biking and multi-use trails in the valley." – Cowlitz-Naches Chapter President Tyler Forman
Trail School wasn’t just about moving dirt—it was about building partnerships and investing in the future of trails in the Cowlitz-Naches Chapter. The excitement and energy throughout the weekend made one thing clear: this community is ready for what's next.
Thank you to everyone who came out, learned something new, and gave back to the trails. The future of riding in the valley is built by people like you.
