were cleared from Mt Hood trails by TKO in 2022
Old Vista Ridge is a special place for TKO. This lost-now-found trail is the location of our first ever trail party. The band of volunteers that would go on to form the fledging nonprofit got together to bring back this segment of lost trail on Mt. Hood. This trail features sweeping vistas unlike anywhere else on Mt. Hood and the volunteers weren’t content to sit back and watch this trail vanish under the brush due to lack of care.
It took several years, but thanks to TKO volunteers’ efforts the Old Vista Ridge trail was able to be revived and it was officially re-opened by the Forest Service in 2019, complete with new trail signage and a re-opening ceremony! TKO staff, board members and volunteers return to Old Vista Ridge every July to maintain the trail, celebrate our roots and look forward to another year of trailkeeping.
Trails all over Oregon get swallowed up by a lack of maintenance each year. We want to help, but we can’t get there without your support. Help TKO get to work on bringing trails back better than ever in 2023 by donating today!
Give $50 or more and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a pair of hiking boots from Danner OR a hiking essentials kit from Ruffwear – you choose!
Anyone who donates their time at a TKO trail party this week (12/5 – 12/11) will also be entered to win.
received their crosscut saw certifications from TKO in 2022
Opportunities to serve Oregon’s trails with Trailkeepers of Oregon are as diverse as our volunteers’ interests. This year, TKO launched a new Wilderness Ambassador volunteer program in collaboration with the US Forest Service to further our mission of stewardship and advocacy for Oregon’s trails.
Wilderness Ambassadors are a special type of volunteer. Experts at public engagement and education, these adventurous folks head out on some of the most beloved wilderness trails on Mt Hood and in the Columbia River Gorge to share Leave No Trace principles, hiking etiquette, and trail stewardship with trail users.
These volunteers also gather data on physical and social trail conditions, perform some light stewardship projects, and help to train new Wilderness Ambassadors as they enter the program. This year’s cohort of nine Wilderness Ambassadors set out on over 5 different trail to gather data and help trail users be active stewards. Across the course of more than fifteen different hikes on Mt Hood’s most popular wilderness trails, trash was removed, inappropriate fire rings were dismantled, and important connections were made with trail users all throughout the season.
Every spring, Trailkeepers of Oregon Trail Ambassadors head out onto some of Oregon’s most well-loved trails to welcome visitors and share important information about the trail, hiking safety, Leave No Trace, local flora and fauna, and more. We’ve added more locations to our repertoire for this season and we need your help to meet the growing demand on our trails!
Happy Holidays Trailkeepers,
The TKO Legacy Builders end-of-year campaign is coming to a close on December 31st. We are so proud that this campaign is fueled by a grassroots donor base that builds a kick start of support for a new year. Our approach continues to be that everyone in their own way is a Trailkeeper – giving time, giving passion, or giving dollars. Each of these contributions amount to more protection and enhancement of Oregon’s hiking trails.
From Latourell Falls to Mosier Plateau, TKO volunteers put in 6,171 hours (257 days!) in the Columbia River Gorge throughout 2023 ensuring your favorite trails remain ready to welcome you on your adventures. Read on for fun insight on the wide variety of trails and projects that you, our community, helped us to pursue!
Trailkeepers of Oregon
P.O. Box 14814
Portland, OR 97293
(971) 206-4351