Breaking trail at Beacon Rock

As the Lewis and Clark expedition made their way down the Columbia to the Pacific Ocean, they encountered a prominent outcrop, which Clark described in his journal:

The rock is Beacon Rock, and it is purportedly the second largest single rock in the world...second only to the Rock of Gibraltar.

But Beacon Rock State Park is much more than the rock ...it's a 4,650-acre park filled with waterfalls, views of the Columbia Gorge, and trails.

This year, Washington Trails Association will be adding new trails here. As Chris Bell describes in the April 2006 issue of Washington Trails magazine, WTA work crews will build 3 miles of trail at Beacon Rock. If you want to help create a fantastic new trail to a stunning viewpoint, consider signing up for a weekend work crew this Saturday and Sunday, April 8-9. Join us for either one or two days (those who stay overnight will be treated to scrumptious barbecue). Or consider signing up for a Volunteer Vacation at Beacon Rock June 17-24 and help us make the hiking experience even more spectacular in this historic gem of a park.

Photo: WTA field director Matt Contorchick at Beacon Rock state park.