WEEK 7

Columbia River Gorge

TKO BY THE NUMBERS:

Columbia River Gorge trails in 2022

0

Volunteer Participants

0

Hours of Service

0

Feet of Trail Improved

0

In-Kind Value

Week 7 Goal: $12,000

32%
 

Enhancing trail systems through advocacy and stewardship

IN 2022, TRAILKEEPERS OF OREGON…

  • Helped to re-open the Nesmith trail.
  • Helped to re-open the Wyeth trail.
  • Helped to repair the Gorge 400 trail in time for the iconic Gorge Waterfalls 50k.
  • Began work to clear and repair a massive landslide at Elowah Falls.
  • Built 7 gabions across the region to stabilize trail tread.

609 Volunteers

gave their time to help re-open Gorge trails in 2022.

Fire recovery has been a hot topic in Oregon over the last few years,

and TKO’s service efforts have reflected that. In the Columbia River Gorge, TKO contributed to removing hundreds of downed trees and clearing countless debris slides that led to the reopening of Nesmith Point and Wyeth Trail in October 2022 for the first time since the Eagle Creek fire in 2017! These reopenings, along with specific efforts made with our friends at Daybreak Racing to improve the Gorge 400 trail along the Gorge Waterfalls 50k race route, allowed the race to resume in 2022 after four years of cancellation due to fire damage. 

Similar improvements are being made at Elowah Falls. Through our partnership with the US Forest Service, a massive debris slide was cleared and vegetation cut back to open the route to trail users. The bridge at the McCord Creek crossing is yet to be repaired, though the trail is passable for those willing to get their feet wet. You can help us get to work on the remaining projects by donating to our campaign today!

Our friends at Fjallraven and Gorges Beer Co. are sweetening the deal for those who give a gift to Oregon’s trails this week!

Give $30 and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win one of 10 Fjallraven backpacks!

EVERY DONATION THIS WEEK GETS A FREE BEER AT GORGES BEER CO., all you have to do is show your donation receipt to your server!

There’s more than one way to give!

Anyone who donates their time at a TKO trail party this week (12/12 – 12/18) will also be entered to win the raffle.

Volunteer

New trails in the Gorge

TKO staff and State Parks have started to plan for a new view-packed trail on Viento Bluff.

Car-free Events

TKO is striving to create stewardship experiences that are accessible to people of all backgrounds and experiences. One way we are working to reduce barriers is hosting car-free events and connecting volunteers to alternative transportation options. 

This June, TKO held an overnight service trip on Angel’s Rest that began when a shuttle picked up the crew at the Gateway Transit Center, which is accessible by public transportation throughout Portland. The crew camped at a stream crossing on Angel’s Rest and successfully brushed the entire area over two days! At the conclusion of the trip, the crew was picked up at the trailhead and shuttled back to the Gateway Transit Center. 

It is our goal to host more of these events in the future and involve more people in caring for Oregon’s trails, but we need your help to have the resources to do so!

Give a gift to TKO today. 

DONATE

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!

[…]

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. […]

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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