Volunteers needed Saturday for Soapstone trail work

by Marlene Berlin

The volunteers who worked so hard in April to repair the winter damage to the Soapstone Valley trail are returning again this Saturday. And this time, they’re asking for our help.

Alex Sanders, the district manager for the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, explained in an email:

“The Soapstone Valley Trail took quite a beating from storms in mid April. One of the stream crossings was damaged again, and the footpath near the Hillwood boundary fence has been eroded. PATC will be rebuilding the damaged crossing and repairing the footpath. We also plan to remove the large downed tree that is blocking debris in the stream and forcing the current into the adjacent streambank.”

A fallen tree blocking the Soapstone streambed near Broad Branch Road.

The volunteers are meeting this Saturday, May 9th at the Rock Creek Nature Center at 8:20 a.m., and then carpooling to the work site at the Broad Branch Road side of the trail. They expect to work until noon.

All volunteers are welcome, and no experience is required. Sanders recommends that volunteers bring work gloves, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy shoes or boots that can get wet. Volunteers will be working in the streambed. If you have any questions, please contact Alex Sanders at [email protected].