Help needed for Gibraltar Trail construction

TRAILS — Mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians are gathering in November for another blitz to build an epic trail east of Republic, Wash., — and they can use more help.

“Last October, over a dozen volunteers from Conservation Northwest, Spokane Mountaineers, Washington Trails Association and the Ferry County Trails Association broke ground on the new Gibraltar trail,” said Derrick Knowles of Conservation Northwest. “The trail, the product of a five-year effort between recreation groups, conservationists and the Colville National Forest, will provide new recreation opportunities close to the town of Republic.”

The last two work parties of the season will be held Nov. 5-6 and Nov. 19-20 .

E-mail derrick@conservationnw.org to sign up or call 509-435-1270 for more info on what to bring, where to meet, and where to camp/stay.

Read on for more details about the trail.

More on the Gibraltar Trail…

The final trail, which will likely be in the range of 17-18 miles long with several trailhead and loop options, will wind around Quartz Mountain and Camel Back Mountain on a combination of new singletrack and existing, closed forest roads converted to singletrack. Open old-growth ponderosa grasslands and rocky knobs provide ample views of Republic to the west and the Kettle Crest to the east, as well as making for an interesting and fun trail for mountain bikers and hikers.

A new trailhead will provide access from the popular Quartz Ridge Road (FS 2053) and will include a toilet, trailhead signs, and a parking lot large enough for trailers.

Slightly under 12 miles of the loop will be open to non-motorized use including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and Nordic skiing. Eventually, easements across state and private land will allow for a non-motorized connector trail from the Ferry County Fairgrounds in Republic, which could add another 5-6 miles of trail.

Approximately one mile will be open to motorized and non-motorized use. The motorized portion of the trail will link to existing motorized routes, with future motorized routes to Republic a possibility. Once open, Gibraltar will be the closest National Forest trail to Republic, and, because most of the trail is under 4000 feet of elevation, will provide early- and late-season snow-free recreation opportunities