TRAILBLAZERS

Making a Walk in the Woods

Visitors to Bloedel Reserve come for various reasons: love of plants, to experience nature, to get away from “civilization,” walking, healing, and many others. At nearly 150 acres, there are about two miles of trails that let visitors access all that Bloedel Reserve has to offer. Maintaining safe, easily traversed trails is integral to providing guests with the experiences they seek.

Trailblazers 1983
Photo courtesy: Don McKinney

The person in charge of the trails is Don McKinney, Bloedel Reserve’s Trails Specialist (a.k.a. the “Trail Head”). Don has been involved with the trails at Bloedel since he was first hired in 1983. No one knows the trails better than him. (That’s Don in the middle of this group of early “trailblazers,” circa 1983.)

All Bark Is Not Created Equal

The first thing Reserve guests may notice about the trails is the bark. Don uses fine bark “nuggets” purchased by the semi-truckload from a place in Longview, WA (although nuggets can be purchased in smaller quantities locally). Nuggets differ from “bark mulch” in that the smaller pieces and bark dust have been removed to produce a more uniformly-sized product suitable for trails.

Most trails have been sized to be five and a half feet wide to accommodate two people walking side-by-side, although newer trails will be created at a width of six feet. Trail sections are planned out in advance and marked with flagging and landscape paint. The path the trails follow is designed to minimize ups and downs, preserve existing trees and shrubs, and enhance the guest experience.

The combination of the width and type of trail bark used creates a surface that is easy to walk on, but Don notes there is more here than meets the eye. A good trail needs a solid base. Don and his crew create the trail bases a couple of different ways, depending on the soil.

In drier soils, two lifts of ¾-inch “clean” basalt gravel are spread out and compacted over the cleared, graded ground. “Clean” means there are no fine particles that can impede drainage when compacted. The compacted gravel creates a stable and firm, but water-permeable, base. Once the bark is applied, guests can walk on a trail with stable footing and the soft cushioning of the bark.

How to Build a Rock “Burrito”

In wetter areas, the basalt gravel will spread out into the softer soil and the firm surface will be lost. Don’s answer to this is the rock “burrito.” A ¾- inch layer of gravel is placed atop a 6- to 12-inch thick layer of 1½-inch rock that has been encased in a “tortilla” of landscape fabric. The result is a base that creates a solid, dry trail running through otherwise soggy areas.

While the trails are very well built, they do require some maintenance. Over time, ground settles and trails need to be resurfaced. Bark rots or gets kicked off and formerly solid trails can become soft. Even solid trails need to be raked clear of leaves and debris. With two miles of trails, Don and his crew stay busy adding gravel and resurfacing with fresh bark. It’s all done so guests can have an enjoyable, relaxing experience.

Content and photos provided by:  Don McKinney, Trails Specialist, and Darren Strenge, Moss Garden Specialist