MRST helps fix foothills trail

Several Land Trust volunteers also pitched in.

In mid-October, the same spot south of the Horse Lake trailhead was graded during the valley's Make a Difference Day by other volunteers.

Mission Ridge Ski Team program director Ryan Shorter said the project on Saturday was set up by his board members.

"We're always looking for service projects for the kids," Shorter said. "We try to do as much as we can."

The ski team also cleans up the Mission Ridge Road, from the ski area parking lot to the Squilchuck State Park entrance, twice a year. They find everything from tires and rims to construction materials and mattresses.

"People throw stuff down into the ravines (off the road). And we go down there and haul it back up. It's kind of sad, really. People think it's their private dumping area."

Both the road clean-ups and this past Saturday's Sage Hills trail project are meant to teach ski team members the value of community service.

"Being a member of any community is a two-way street," Shorter said. "You get what you give."

Those participating in the Sage Hills trail project were skiers Clare Wise, Mattie Wise, Josh Sanborn, Jeff Sanborn, Alec Jones, Colby Granstrom and Brooke Wales; and coaches Ryan Shorter, Louis Otto and Roger Taggart.