WEEK 2: OREGON COAST TRAIL – Cape Arago

Your furry friends are Trailkeepers too!

Donate $30 or more before midnight on Sunday 11/14 and you’ll be entered to win a doggy hiking essentials kit from our friends at Ruffwear.

DONATE

Can’t give $? Volunteer at any of our trail party events between 11/8 and 11/14, and you’ll be entered to win too!

Volunteer with TKO

Protect & explore the trails of the Southern Oregon Coast.

In 2019, TKO staff and funding partners were laying the groundwork to start a movement of stewardship on Oregon’s south coast. Over the last two years, Oregon Coast Visitors Association funding helped us build a movement of trail stewardship in the southern Oregon Coast region. In addition to ongoing volunteer agreements with Oregon State Parks – Harris Beach Management Unit and USFS Siuslaw and Rogue-Siskiyou National Forests, we have expanded our service areas to include Oregon Department of State Lands South Slough Reserve and Oregon State Parks – Sunset Bay Management Unit. We have assessed trails to build a portfolio of projects to tackle and have hosted several volunteer trainings, including Crew Leadership and Ambassador trainings, to help drum up a beat of stewardship within communities that are eager to get out and improve their trails. Donate today to support our ongoing efforts to empowering south coast communities to steward their amazing trails. 

BY THE NUMBERS:

OREGON COAST TRAILS

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SOUTH OREGON COAST

Cape Arago

Cape Arago is a breathtaking section of the Oregon Coast.  In 2020, TKO pledged to increase trail stewardship in this, and other awe inspiring areas on the southern coast.  Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, we engaged in volunteer events, including trail maintenance, Trail Ambassador events, and stewardship trainings both online and in-person.  At Cape Arago and Sunset Bay State Parks we have been lop, lop, lopping all summer long! 152 volunteer hours this summer, mostly on the East Loop Trail that connects to the Pack Trail. This trail was nearly lost to the overgrowth and we are saving it! We also retreaded the pack trail after the spruce trees that blew over last winter were sawed out of the way. 

Join the Legacy

One hiking boot in front of the other

Did you know that most of our trail parties are lead by other volunteers? These amazing folks have taken the time to train extensively in first aid, equity work and trail maintenance skills to provide the unique and positive volunteer experience that TKO is known for. With out volunteer Crew Leaders, none of the work we do gets done. In the fall of this year, TKO staff hosted a three day training series with the aim of growing a new batch of volunteer Crew Leaders in the South Coast region. Members of the community came out to learn new skills, give back to the trails they love, and help TKO grow. Your donation helps them to have the supplies and support they need to get more volunteers out on more trails than ever before!

Join the Legacy

Latest News

You person with a hiking pack walks along a steep mountain trail with large white flowers along the hillside and scenic views.

ACTION ALERT: Forest Service cuts to seasonal staffing will hurt trails and recreational access

This post comes with big thanks to our friends at Washington Trails Association who invited us to borrow heavily from their similar action alert! We invite you to scan the similarities and differences between Oregon and Washington in WTA’s article with a carbon copy for Oregon that we created below. 

If you hike in Oregon, odds are excellent that you’ve enjoyed trails on U.S. Forest Service land. About 39% of Oregon (yes, that’s over 14 million acres of the state) is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. National forests contain some of the most iconic landscapes, popular campgrounds and beloved hiking trails in the state. Encircle Mt. Hood on the Timberline trail, hike along a National Scenic Trail like the Deschutes River trail, visit the Oregon Dunes along the coast, or backpack in the Eagle Cap Wilderness and you are enjoying some of the over 15,000 miles of national forest trails in Oregon.

You person with a hiking pack walks along a steep mountain trail with large white flowers along the hillside and scenic views.

Millions of visitors spread out in Oregon’s 14 million acres of Forest Service lands and 15,000 miles of trails. Photo by TKO volunteer leader Neil Cadsawan

A funding crisis is putting Forest Service trails, campgrounds and other types of outdoor recreation at risk. The U.S. Forest Service is currently making major cuts to its workforce that will reduce its ability to maintain trails, clean trailhead restrooms, collect trash and provide essential services. 

BUDGET CRISIS WILL CUT JOBS AND REDUCE SERVICES

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Wildfire Resilience, Shellburg Falls Reopens in the Santiam State Forest

Among the many communities, natural landscapes, and hiking trails that were set ablaze in the historic 2020 Labor Day Wildfires, the Beachie Creek fire swept across Shellburg Falls Recreation Area in the Santiam State Forest southeast of Salem. Once the smoke cleared, TKO was called upon to help! […]

A large group of TKO Trail Ambassadors stand in front of a waterfall. The image is overlaid by the TKO logo.

2024 Trail Ambassadors Foster a Welcoming and Accessible Outdoors

Trails have amazing potential to bring people of all backgrounds and abilities into the outdoors, yet gaps in information prevent many from doing so. That’s where TKO Trail Ambassadors come in! These volunteers help to create a welcoming environment on Oregon’s trails by offering a friendly presence to answer questions, providing maps and other information, and recommending local businesses and attractions. Looking back on the 2024 season, it’s easy to see the positive impact their passion and dedication had on Oregon’s trails and trail users.

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