WEEK 5: New Ventures, the Salmonberry Trail

Donate any $, you’ll receive a special discount code to use when purchasing Pendleton products this holiday season.

Donate $50+, you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a Pendleton blanket ($200 value).

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Can’t give $? Participate in any event (in-person or virtual) this week, and you’ll be entered to win too!

Volunteer with TKO

Advocate for new connections to the wondrous places of Oregon.

Advocating for new ventures and lost trails that access Oregon’s natural wonders has become a regular part of our work. There are endless possibilities for TKO to be a partner in finding lost trails and bringing day-dream projects to life. You can join the support for new and lost trails across Oregon by donating today!

The Salmonberry Trail is no small venture. Over 87 miles of railroad line are sitting dormant and have the possibility of connecting the Valley to the Coast . The canyon section in particular is right up TKO’s bailiwick. We’ve been working closely with the engineering consultant on this project to assess the viability of this trail connection, approaching in different ways a rail-to-trail and rail-with-trail conversion!

We are working with many partners to advocate for this trail and we may see projects begin in the portion that connects to Stub Stewart State Park as early as 2021. Your support builds a community engagement that will see that the value of these places is met with a vested interest in their care.

BY THE NUMBERS:

NEW TRAILS AND SCOUTING

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FLOODS IN 1997 & 2008

Make no mistake, while the 87-mile corridor has dozens of amazing trestle bridges, the scene you see here is not one of them. A series of once-in-a-hundered-year floods ravaged through the Coast Range and wreaked havoc on many communities and infrastructure. The Salmonberry Corridor was not spared. While the rail companies sought to rebuild and restore after 1997, there seemed to be a desire to pause after 2008. That is when the dream came alive for the rail-to-trail and rail-with-trail conversions. TKO has been working to offer alternatives to rebuilding railbed through a more wilderness-like trail development.

Join the Legacy

TUNNELS TO WANDER

In addition to spectacular trestle bridges, some of which reach heights of more than 80 feet from the river below, the corridor is also home to 13 tunnels of varying lengths. Some tunnels are safe for passage, but others need to have the trail rerouted to safely circumnavigate the decaying structures. TKO has been scouting the hillsides for those trail alternatives. You can support these projects and speed up access to these wonders by donating today!

Join the Legacy

Latest News

Trail Ambassadors are getting ready to launch!

By Loren Payne

Spring is quickly approaching! That means before we know it, Trailkeepers of Oregon will be kicking off another Trail Ambassador season. Through partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon State Parks, the Mt. Hood – Columbia River Gorge Tourism Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, and Friends of the Columbia River Gorge, Trail Ambassadors will take to trails beginning April 22nd to engage with trail users across the state. We are always looking to grow our team – if you’ve been looking to give back to the trails you love, we want you on board!

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@ by Natalie Ferraro

Family Friendly Events are Back!

An adult holds a fern while a child uses lopper to cut it at the base.

Join TKO on the last Sunday of each month to learn all about trail stewardship!

By Natalie Ferraro

Trailkeepers is excited to once again be offering Family Friendly trail parties for 2023. These events are a chance for kids of all ages to learn some of the basics of trail stewardship, spend quality time with family and friends outdoors, and learn the value of taking care of a place they love. We think our Family Friendly trail parties are some of the best fun you can have on a Sunday, but you don’t have to take our world for it. We asked TKO volunteer Jon and his son Liam to share why they love volunteering with TKO. […]

@ by Natalie Ferraro

Safety, Fun, Service – becoming a TKO Crew Leader

A close up of two faces. One person wears a blue jacket and a yellow hat, the other wears a yellow jacket and an orange hat. They both have dirt on their faces and are smiling.

Being a Crew Leader with TKO is rewarding work and comes with a fun and supportive community that can’t wait to welcome you!

by Elaine Keavney and Loren Payne

So you’ve earned your green hat, and are getting “hooked” on trail stewardship.  As you get to know your crew leaders, do you find yourself wondering whether leading a crew would be something you would enjoy? Read on for some information about leading crews, and what you need to do if you would like to become a TKO crew leader!

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@ by Natalie Ferraro
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