North Cascades Trail Skills College

Intended for those new to trail work who want to learn how to cut brush and small logs to help clear a trail to proper specifications. After discussion of general safety protocols, students learn about safe and effective use of hand saws and loppers. This class also includes how to complete an early-season trail survey to identify and report major problems, especially blown down logs – their numbers, locations, and sizes.

Water and gravity constantly threaten our trails and thus we must learn how best to deflect them. This course begins with basics of hillside hydrology and how trails work when they shed water properly.
Includes introduction of “trail eyes” and basic trail design concepts, as well as how to recognize tread erosion patterns. Hands-on practice removing slough and berm, and effective cleaning and maintenance of existing water bars and grade dips.

Are you interested in helping certified sawyers to clear trails, but don’t have much experience working with or around saws? Regardless of if you aim to become a certified sawyer yourself, learning to be a safety-conscience saw crew member is an important place to start. This class provides field experience with crosscut saws and axes, but most of the principles are also applicable to chainsaws. Therefore, this class is the place to start, no matter what trail clearing tools you expect to use in the future.

The session begins with an introduction to crosscut saws and axes of various types, and how they work. It then covers their safe and effective use, including a review of trail clearing specifications, safety equipment, the forces of tension and bind, and the practice of situational awareness.

This class is an introduction; it does NOT provide saw certification, which is required for those who wish to be lead sawyers.

Learn how to care for trail tools and protective gear. Keeping tools sharp is critical for working efficiently and safely. We’ll cover how to properly sharpen basic trail tools and discuss why we don’t sharpen others. Class may also involve re-handling and repairing broken tools. 

Intended for someone who has taken 102 Tread & Drainage and/or has experience doing drainage work. Learn how to design and locate effective drainage structures. After a comprehensive explanation of hillside hydrology and how trails work when they shed water properly, this class shows students how to design and construct long, rolling drain dips as a way of reducing erosion on existing trails.

Learn contemporary techniques to build rock steps, and how to install them where tread is gullied and cannot be drained, or in other situations requiring tread armoring. This class serves as a great introduction to dry stone masonry (rock work). 

For students with moderate to extensive trail building experience who want to lead trail crews and work parties. Not a construction techniques class; this is about effective leadership. Students will have classroom and field work in the following topics: work day responsibilities, risk assessment and safety, tool
safety and tool talk, leadership and team building, practical experience leading volunteers.

This class is for all skill levels, but particularly targeted for those who would like to feel more confident and competent. It’s a chance to get together and practice with the tools we love…or could love if we got to know them better. Join us out in the woods for a day to celebrate the joy of chopping wood!

This is a skill building class for participants to get familiar with handling the chainsaw. It is appropriate for those with little or no experience. We will cover starting the saw, body positioning, some basic information about binds in trees, and different types of cuts, and cleaning the saws at the end of the day. We’ll take our time and make sure everyone is included and comfortable.

• Layers work best as outdoor temperatures, weather, and your activity level will vary through the day. Follow
  the layering system for your work and camp clothes. Long pants are required to conduct trail work. Long
  sleeve shirts are recommended for sun and insect protection and in some areas are required for trail work.
  • Layer 1: Long underwear tops, bottoms, and socks; made of lightweight wool or synthetic material.
  • Layer 2: Mid-weight wool or synthetic pants and shirt. Can be more than one layer; bring additional
    layers if you get cold easily. Cotton is not advised.
  • Layer 3: Rain coat or other water/wind resistant coat or poncho and rain pants.
• Sturdy boots with slip-resistant tread that offer firm and flexible support. No sandals or sneakers
  while working on the trail but you may want these in camp. Saw students have specific footwear
  requirements. See the Crosscut & Chainsaw Training page.
• Warm hat and warm gloves while at camp.

• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping mat
• Pillow

• Sealable plastic container to pack lunch in
• Plate / bowl for breakfast and dinner
• Silverware
• Cup / insulated drinking mug
• Water bottles / hydration pack

• Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, lip balm
• Insect repellant
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Daypack
• Alarm clock

• Camp chair (compact)
• Supplemental snacks
• Camera
• Bandana
• Safety gear (i.e. hard hats, gloves) will be provided throughout the weekend. However, if you have safety gear that you would prefer to use, please bring it with you.