Grays Harbor Chapter
Back Country Horsemen
of Washington
Who We Are
The Grays Harbor Chapter is one of the 31 chapters across the state who make up the Back Country Horsemen of Washington.
Our chapter is made up of members who live in all areas of Grays Harbor or who live out of the county but who like to ride and work on the same trails as we do. We are all a part of the Back Country Horsemen of America
BCH Mission Statement:
1. To perpetuate the common sense use and enjoyment of horses in America’s back country and wilderness.
2. To work to insure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use.
3. To assist the various government and private agencies in their maintenance and management of said resource.
4. To educate, encourage and solicit active participation in the wise use of the back country resource by horsemen and the general public commensurate with our heritage.
5. To foster and encourage the formation of new chapters in the state organization.
Activities
What We Do
If you are interested in trail riding and are concerned about access to recreational opportunities by stock users on our public and private lands then this just might be the organization for you. You can help out on rail maintenance projects, talking with elected officials and land managers about the importance of trail and their funding or with fundraising activities. All the while making new friends and having a great time in the process!
Maintain National Forest
Trails
Since 2008 we have had a Volunteer Agreement with the Olympic National Forest to maintain and improve the West Fork of the Humptulips Trail (WFT) #806. The BCHW state organization has been awarded several grants from the Washington State Recreation Conservation Office, with some of those funds going to help purchase materials used to maintain and improve this historic trail. More details here on the Lower West Fork and Upper West Fork
Put on a Fund Ride
Our 2024 Fund Ride will be held June 22nd. Link to the flier is on home page
Build and Maintain Private Timberland Trails
The Grays Harbor BCHW has leased 4,722 acres from Green Diamond Resource Company since 2018. This area is open year-round to the non-motorized public who can park outside the gates and ride or hike around them. The gates are locked for most of the year. Chapter members have their own keys and can access the area any time that they want. There are quite a few miles of trails now and we are mapping out and putting in more. Members are also able to camp on the acreage and be behind locked gates..
Eat and Camp
Our members also enjoy many social activities, including trail rides, camp outs and potluck dinners, along with monthly meetings, a December potluck and get together, and a fund raising Fun Ride. Many of us attend the annual state Rendezvous and other state sponsored events. You're welcome to contact us for more information or come to one of our meetings and meet a good group of folks that share your interests. No horse or mule required!
Get Involved
If what we do sounds interesting and you want to find out even more about us, click here for our Facebook page And take a look at the state organization page
www.bchw.org and the national page www.bcha.org
The Grays Harbor Chapter is also a member of the Peninsula Access Coalition, a collaboration of Olympic Peninsula recreation users and stakeholders. https://www.peninsulaaccess.com/
Membership is open to anyone who shares the objectives and goals of the organization. No horse? No problem! Everyone interested in trails is welcome to join us.
Annual dues, which include memberships in the Grays Harbor Chapter, the state organization Back Country Horsemen of Washington and the national organization Back Country Horsemen of America, are $51.00 for single and $64.00 for a family membership. You can get an application by clicking here: 2022 application, joining online at https://www.bchw.org/join_us.php
or by coming to a meeting. Our monthly chapter meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month, with socializing starting at 6:30 and the meeting starting at 7 pm. We meet at the Olympic View Grange in Brady, 466 Old Monte Brady Rd, Montesano, WA 98563.
We do not have a December meeting and in the summer, we may meet elsewhere to tie it in with a camping trip. See our Facebook page for upcoming work parties, local Fun Rides, potlucks, our camping get togethers, the latest trail-related info.
CONTACT US
2022 Officers
President: Beth Branshaw bbranshaw@hotmail.com 360-581-6535
Vice President: Sandy Blumberg Sblumberg86@comcast.net
Secretary: Jennifer McKenna jendonk@aol.com
Treasurer: Mary Owens owens.maryj@gmail.com 360-482-8375
Director: Lori Lennox llennox82@gmail.com 360-482-2742