Digging In: What My First Trail Work Party on Orcas Taught Me About Community, Stewardship, and Joy
New to the Evergreen team, Alexandra Toombs reflects on her first-ever trail work party on Orcas Island — from reshaping muddy trail sections to building friendships around a bonfire. Discover how trail stewardship connects people, protects nature, and fuels the mission behind GiveBIG.
This weekend, I had the absolute pleasure of joining my very first Evergreen trail work party — and my first-ever visit to Orcas Island. As someone who recently joined the Evergreen team just over a month ago, I’ve spent the past few weeks diving into the fundraising side of our mission. But this weekend, I got to experience something completely new: getting out into the dirt with the incredible trail crew and volunteers who make our work possible.
The work party was held on Moran State Park, where we focused on restoring a flat, braided section of the Cold Spring trail that tends to flood and get muddy, causing trail creep as riders and hikers were going around off-trail to avoid the mess — a pattern that damages the environment and widens the trail in unintended ways. Our task? Clear a large drainage, raise the trail tread and improve water flow, while reducing the trail width back to normal. We dug out dirt and reshaped the area to let gravity do the work and keep water moving. It was a simple but powerful fix — and one that will make a big difference in trail user experience, for riders and hikers alike.
As someone who spends most of her days behind a screen, I learned so much from our trails team. Michael McLane led our safety talk and tool walkthrough — shovels, rakes, hoes — teaching us when and how to use each one, and what is and isn’t a pry bar. Sean Sweeney kept the energy high as he led us through the maintenance process and trail redesign. We also moved trees off the trail to reduce the risk of clipping a branch and improve the overall flow and safety. It was hands-on, impactful, and incredibly fun.
What struck me most was the crew. This wasn’t just any group — 12 volunteers drove hours, took ferries, brought their gear, and set aside an entire weekend to show up for the trails. Moran State Park Ranger Evers provided camping sites and firewood for all trail work participants, which made everyone feel welcomed, supported, and appreciated while out on the mountain. I was the only first-timer in the group, and that made me feel even more inspired. It was a powerful reminder of how deeply rooted Evergreen’s culture of stewardship really is.
As we worked, dozens of riders passed by — thanking us, stopping to ask questions, offering high fives. The gratitude was real. We weren’t just maintaining a trail — we were representing Evergreen in action. Showing the public what it means to invest in your local trail system. And that felt really, really good.
After the work was done, we shuttled to the top of Mt. Constitution and rode the Spiral loop down through the trail we had just helped care for. Twelve miles of flowy, forested riding — with plenty of smiles, banter, and photo ops along the way. Even though most of us had just met that morning, the camaraderie was instant and easy. Everyone rode at their own pace, but we stayed connected — regrouping at turns and celebrating the trail beneath our tires.
That night, we gathered around a bonfire to relax, share stories, and reflect on the day. As the sun set over Orcas, I found myself thinking about the magic Evergreen creates — not just in the trails we build and maintain, but in the people we bring together. This work is meaningful. It’s joyful. It’s community in its purest form.
And that’s why I GiveBIG.
This week, we’re raising critical funds to support trail projects across Washington — including places like Moran State Park. Your donation helps build and maintain the trails you love, while creating the kind of unforgettable, community-powered experiences I had this weekend.
Every single dollar goes back into the dirt:
- Building new trails
- Restoring and maintaining well-loved lines
- Expanding access across the state
This isn’t just about trails…it’s about travel, friendship, outdoor adventure, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s what we do at Evergreen — and I’m so proud to be a part of it.
Join me. Let’s ride and dig together.
PS: I’d love to give a shoutout to our incredible crew this weekend! Thank you SO much for your time, commitment, and energy. We couldn’t do it without you.
Volunteers: Jason Eidsness, Tara Fleischhauer, Daniel Hauck, Benjamin Hauck, Eric Jung, Max Koch, Tony Nitz, Laura Reed, Candice Rodriguez, Eric Smith, Christian Van