“The new stairway not only improves safety but also blends seamlessly with the surrounding greens and beach vibes. Rest platforms offer up vast scenic views and a chance to catch your breath on the way down. The project was a collaborative success, said local authorities, led by Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO), Oceanside Action Partnership, Tillamook County Public Works, Netarts WEBS, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Tillamook Coast Visitors Association, and the Netarts–Oceanside Fire District. More than 1,700 volunteer hours were logged by over 100 individuals – roughly half from the local community and half from TKO.”
Gresham Outlook: “Trailkeepers volunteers restore Hidden Lake Trail on Mount Hood”
Five Trailkeepers of Oregon work parties combined to restore access to Hidden Lake. Volunteer crews restored the Hidden Lake Trail corridor (4.5 miles from the Kiwanis Camp Road trail head to the Pacific Crest Trail, and 5.7 miles to Timberline Lodge). They cleared more than 50 downed logs and brushed back heavy rhododendron and huckleberry that were choking the path. Collectively, the crews hiked 26.3 miles across the five work days to get everything done.
Read the article…
Tillamook County Pioneer: “State Forests volunteers honored for their work”
Volunteers with Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO), Tom and Nelson have made extraordinary efforts to restore the Shellburg Falls Trail system in the Santiam State Forest. Severely damaged by the 2020 Labor Day fires, the Shellburg network has become a model of grassroots restoration thanks to their leadership.
Read the article…
Oregon Coast Beach Connection: “Trail Ambassadors Returns to N. Oregon Coast, Needs Volunteers”
“Tillamook Coast Visitors Association (TCVA) and Trailkeepers of Oregon are partnering up to bring back an old and very welcome feature to the region. Together, they’re restarting the Trail Ambassadors Program for summer 2025, and they are asking for volunteers to help out at trailheads around this section of the north Oregon coast.”
Read the article…
An Unprecedented Sell-Off: 250 Million Acres of Public Land at Risk
More than 21 million acres in Oregon could be sold
For generations, Americans have understood public lands as a shared inheritance—guided by a conservation ethic dating back to President Theodore Roosevelt’s protection of national forests, parks, and monuments. But a new proposal in Congress would undo much of that legacy.
A provision in the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee’s budget reconciliation bill mandates the sale of 2 to 3 million acres of public land over just five years to offset tax cuts. These are lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management—places where we hike, camp, and connect with nature.
Even more alarming: the bill defines eligibility so broadly that over 250 million acres of federally managed land could be considered for disposal—including more than 21 million acres in Oregon alone.
Lands currently open for public recreation could be sold to any “interested party,” with minimal restrictions—even those within roadless areas, critical habitat zones, or lands with cultural significance.
This is not land management. It’s liquidation. Once sold, these places are gone—for good.
Take Action Today
- Visit Friends of the Columbia Gorge’s action page: We’re standing with our partners at Friends of the Columbia Gorge to oppose this bill. Their action page makes it easy to email your representatives—please take a moment to speak up now: https://act.gorgefriends.org/a/gorge-is-not-for-sale
- See what’s at stake: Explore this interactive map showing public lands in Oregon and across the West that could be affected.
- Spread the word: Share this message. Post on social media. Let friends and family know why you cherish these lands—and why we must fight to keep them public.
“There are no do‑overs when it comes to selling off public lands. Once they’re sold, they’re lost forever.”
— Senator Ron Wyden, June 17, 2025Trailkeepers of Oregon remains committed to protecting and enhancing the Oregon hiking experience through trail stewardship, advocacy, and education. We invite all Oregonians to stand with us in ensuring that our public lands continue to serve the public good.
What it would mean for OregonAccording to the legislative criteria, over 21 million acres of Oregon’s public lands could become eligible for sale. These include areas within national forests and BLM-managed regions that are home to popular hiking trails, campgrounds, and wildlife habitat. These are places where families go to connect with nature, where volunteers—like those organized by Trailkeepers of Oregon—invest time and care to maintain trails, and where rural communities benefit from the economic activity outdoor recreation brings.
Oregon Public Lands Potentially Affected:
- Total: 21,745,380 acres
- U.S. Forest Service (USFS): 9,889,298 acres
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM): 11,856,082 acres
What it means for Oregon and TKO’s mission
If this bill passes, the impact on trail access could be immediate and irreversible. Public lands near some of Oregon’s most iconic hiking destinations—including the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood National Forest, the Deschutes National Forest, and the Owyhee Canyonlands—could be sold off to private buyers. Once sold, these lands could be gated, developed, mined, or otherwise closed to the public, with no requirement for continued recreational access.
This includes areas where Trailkeepers of Oregon has invested years of volunteer labor—restoring trails, building access infrastructure, and maintaining safe, sustainable routes for hikers.
Selling these lands would not only undermine decades of stewardship—it would sever the connection between Oregonians and the places they’ve worked to protect, setting a dangerous precedent for the future of conservation and access.
Public lands are a shared legacy
Oregon’s public lands are more than just acreage—they are part of our cultural identity, our economy, and our daily lives.
- Outdoor recreation generates over $8 billion annually for Oregon and supports more than 70,000 jobs.
- Trail access supports community health, offering free, close-to-home opportunities to be active and reduce stress.
- Public lands provide critical ecological services, from clean water to wildlife habitat.
- Volunteers play a vital role in maintaining Oregon’s trails, investing time, tools, and care into landscapes that belong to everyone.
Selling these lands moves us away from the principle that public lands should remain in public hands—for all people, for all time.
Trailkeepers of Oregon’s position
This legislation is not a new approach to land management—it’s the end of it. Once these lands are sold, they are no longer ours to manage, protect, or enjoy. While there is room for thoughtful discussion about how public lands are funded and cared for, permanent disposal without robust public input threatens access, undercuts local economies, and fragments ecosystems.
Instead of selling off public land, we believe in investing in it—ensuring future generations have the same opportunities to hike, explore, and care for Oregon’s outdoors as we do today.
We urge you to take action by signing the petition, making calls, and telling your friends and family why you cherish these lands—and why we must fight to keep them public for all to enjoy.
Learn more from trusted sources
- Read the bill text: Senate Energy & Natural Resources Budget Reconciliation Draft (June 17, 2025, PDF)
- Outdoor Alliance action page: Protect Public Lands – Outdoor Alliance
- Washington Trails Association advocacy update: WTA Campaign Overview
- The Wilderness Society summary and resources: The Wilderness Society – Budget Reconciliation Threats
Oregon Hikers Week 5
2 Mt. Hood Hikes Worth the Trek
Vista Ridge to Elk Cove
Looking for a stunning route to Elk Cove that avoids the crowds and tough crossings? This approach via Vista Ridge is a favorite among seasoned hikers. It offers a steady, moderate climb through high country forests recovering from the 2011 Dollar Lake Fire, with wildflowers thriving in the reopened meadows. As you climb toward timberline, the views unfold: glacier-carved valleys, expansive ridges, and eventually Elk Cove itself—one of the most breathtaking alpine meadows on the mountain. Unlike the Cloud Cap route, this trail skips tricky glacial stream crossings and dusty canyon traverses, offering a more peaceful, rewarding path to the same spectacular destination.
Old Vista Ridge to Owl Point
Few hikes offer this much reward for so little effort. The Old Vista Ridge Trail was lost to time until a group of dedicated volunteers uncovered and restored it in 2007—an effort that ultimately gave rise to Trailkeepers of Oregon. Their work reopened a path to stunning Owl Point, with sweeping views of Mount Hood, Laurance Lake, and the Hood River Valley. This is a hike through history and high country: a mellow ramble along wildflower meadows and talus slopes, where old lookout phone lines still peek from the trees and every overlook tells a story. Officially adopted by the USFS in 2018, this trail is one of our proudest successes. The view from Owl Point in the late afternoon light? Unforgettable.
Photo by Dan Sharp Volunteer Spotlight: Hope McKee
Hope McKee didn’t expect that a simple invitation from a friend would change her life—but that first TKO trail party after the Eagle Creek Fire was just the beginning.
“What kept me coming back was the people,” Hope says. “Everyone was so welcoming—and being in the woods has always been my happy place.”
Since then, Hope has helped lead crews across Oregon, tackling everything from clearing giant trees on the Salmon River Trail to building gabions on the Oneonta Trail. Along the way, trail work gave her something she didn’t expect: confidence.
“I’m not a natural leader, but leading crews gave me a ton of confidence—and some amazing friends.”
Her advice to new volunteers?
“Go for it. It’s fun, we’re nice—and we’ll give you chocolate.”
Hope’s favorite part of TKO is seeing people find connection and purpose through trails—then coming back again and again.
Photo by Cheryl Hill Four Fire Lookouts Worth the Hike
Trail advocate, author, and longtime TKO volunteer Cheryl Hill has visited more than 100 fire lookouts across Oregon. She’s passionate about the stories these places hold—and the trail work that keeps them accessible.
In her latest feature, Cheryl shares four Cascade fire lookouts you can hike to this summer, each offering sweeping views, rich history, and a reminder of what dedicated volunteers help preserve.
Four Cascade Fire Lookouts You Can Hike to This Summer
by Cheryl Hill
Fire lookouts are all over social media these days, largely due to the popularity of renting them (Oregon has 18 that you can rent). These ground cabins and towers have been used for over a century in the service of spotting and reporting wildfires. While some 900+ sites have hosted a lookout in Oregon since the late 1800s, today there are only about 155 still standing. Some of these are still staffed, some are rented, and some are abandoned.
Fire lookouts make for great hiking destinations due to their high vantage point and terrific views. Here are four fire lookouts you can hike to this summer.
Coffin Mountain
3 miles, 1,000 feet elevation gain
Talk about a lot of bang for your buck! This short hike south of Detroit has views, a lookout, and a plethora of June wildflowers. The hike is a steady uphill climb through forests and meadows where you may see larkspur, paintbrush, and blue head gilia blooming in late June and early July. The trail traverses an enormous south-facing slope where beargrass bloom every few years and where you get a big preview of the views to come. The lookout is a ground cabin that is staffed in summer and is closed to the public. But the summit has room to spread out and soak in the views, including Mt. Jefferson peeking up behind nearby Bachelor Mountain.
Pechuck Lookout
5.6 miles, 1670 feet elevation gain
Hike through the Table Rock Wilderness to Oregon’s only lookout built of stone, which just barely escaped the flames of the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire. The trail passes through areas of burnt forest from that fire, and scorched trees on the slopes below the lookout show how close the fire came. This charming lookout with its cute rooftop cupola has not been staffed since the 1960s and is available to stay in on a first-come first-serve basis. There’s even a composting toilet down the hill. Views are somewhat limited as the trees have grown up over the years, but from the cupola you can see nearby Table Rock.
Black Butte
4.2 miles, 1,500 feet elevation gain
One of only a few spots in Oregon that hosts two standing lookouts, Black Butte has been home to a variety of lookouts since 1910. The two-mile hike to the summit is popular for good reason. The views are spectacular and encompass numerous Cascade volcanos and lesser buttes and peaks. Signs ask visitors not to approach the 65-foot-tall tower, which is staffed in summer. But you can check out the exterior of the 1922 lookout cabin, restored by volunteers in 2019. Nearby a viewing deck has signs to help you identify the major peaks visible from here. There is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy a picnic, although beware the cute golden-mantled ground squirrels that have become habituated to human handouts.
Flag Point
8.8 miles, 1740 feet elevation gain
The tower at Flag Point is one of three staffed lookouts in the Mt. Hood National Forest (along with Clear Lake Butte and Sisi Butte). The hike takes you through the Badger Creek Wilderness and passes tiny Oval Lake, as well as Palisade Point with its sweeping views. Once you arrive at Flag Point you may find that the lookout on duty is busy working and you’re not able to go up the tower. But here’s a tip: look for an unsigned trail to the left of the toilet heading southwest and follow it for 0.2 miles until you reach a large open sagebrush-covered area with terrific views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, and the Three Sisters. By the way, this is a fantastic hike in the second half of October when the western larch trees turn golden orange.
—TKO Volunteer Cheryl Hill has visited more than 100 of Oregon’s standing lookouts. She is the author of Mount Hood National Forest and Fire Lookouts of Oregon. Her next book, Hiking Oregon’s Fire Lookouts, will be published by Mountaineers Books in spring 2026.
Volunteer Spotlight: Hope McKee
Photo by Dan Sharp For Hope McKee, trail work started with an invitation from a friend.
“A friend signed up for a trail party after the Eagle Creek Fire and asked if I wanted to join her. She said it sounded like something I’d enjoy—and she was right.”Since that first day, Hope has become a familiar and welcoming face on the trails with TKO, leading crews twice a week and helping steward some of Oregon’s most beloved places.
“What kept me coming back honestly was the people,” Hope says. “Everyone was so kind and welcoming. Being in the woods has always been my happy place, so that combined with nice folks really ticked off a lot of boxes for me.”
Hope’s leadership journey hasn’t been without nerves—especially before big projects like clearing massive fallen trees on the Salmon River Trail, or building multi-gabion structures on the Oneonta Trail.
“There’s an interesting dichotomy before a big project: equal parts excitement and anxiety. Or maybe 75% excitement and 25% anxiety!”
Of all the places she’s worked, the Salmon River Trail holds a special place in her heart.
“When my daughter was little, we did a lot of backpacking on that trail. It’s lush, beautiful, and unburned. What a treat to help take care of it now.”
Photo by Dan Sharp Hope says her go-to trail snack is something fresh—“a satsuma or some grapes”—plus something salty and, of course, chocolate at the end of a long day.
If you’re considering joining a TKO trail party, Hope has simple advice:
“Go for it. It’s fun, we’re nice—and we’ll give you chocolate.”Trail work has given Hope much more than skills with tools. “I’m not a natural leader. Public speaking made me nervous. But trail crew gave me a ton of confidence, and a whole new skill set. It’s really enhanced my life—and I’ve made amazing friends who are so important to me.”What Hope loves most about TKO is the way trail work becomes a turning point for so many people. “So often, someone shows up for their first trail day saying they just retired, or were laid off, or are navigating a loss. And then they come back, again and again, because they find purpose and community. And I just love that.”
Photo by Dan Sharp Walking to Lovely
Photo by Bonnie Henderson Bonnie Henderson
The request from TKO: “Write about an urban hike in Eugene-Springfield.” The two big parks with the big buttes just south of town (Spencer Butte and Mount Pisgah), with their grand summit views and big trail systems, are the obvious choices. But you wouldn’t call them urban. Instead, here’s what’s become one of my favorite close-in walks, what I now think of as the walk to Lovely. It’s right in the middle of the metro area, linking the two towns. It hangs on Pre’s Trail—a roughly four-mile, figure-eight bark chip path used by walkers and runners, with a name that commemorates UO track legend Steve Prefontaine. It’s soft on the joints and virtually flat. And it’s a choose-your-own adventure, giving you options wherever you are on your fitness trajectory.
I start at the trailhead by the DeFazio Bridge at Alton Baker Park in Eugene (lots of free parking) and follow the loop to where it ends under the I-5 freeway bridge, then loop back to where I started; you’ll see what I mean if you search for a map of Pre’s Trail. The main loop links with other trails, paved and un-, in the park, offering additional route choices. The views vary: the Willamette River and the canoe canal. Autzen Stadium. Filbert orchards. My preferred adventure used to be a basic 4-mile loop—or a double loop when I’m training for an upcoming trek, which is most of the time. Until I realized that I didn’t need to do the same thing twice to enjoy a longer long walk.
Now I keep going past the freeway, where the path continues—part paved, part bark chip—into Springfield’s Eastgate Woodlands, then along the West D Street Greenway, then (after a short stretch of neighborhood sidewalk) a veer to the right into Island Park.
Here’s where Lovely comes in. At the south end of Island Park, follow S. Mill Street past the boat ramp and out the park’s entrance. Then walk up A Street one block to the traffic light, cross, and backtrack one block to Lovely, a vegan-leaning, fermentation-forward cafe open all day, from your morning Kyoto fog tea latte (or cup of joe) to your evening old fashioned, with or without beet juice, all of it good. It’s the perfect turnaround spot, 3.5 miles from the trailhead. Lovely just relocated here in February and is part of downtown Springfield’s renaissance, with cafes, wine bars and brewpubs now edging out the muffler shops and adult entertainment venues.
Photo by Bonnie Henderson It’s become even more appealing as I’ve been rehabbing from a hip replacement. My surgeon’s kiss-off at 6 weeks: “Do what you want, but gradually.” Early days, I started with short loops of a mile, and then 2 miles, on Pre’s Trail. As my horizons grew, the physical therapist chimed in, in the form of a question: “You can walk longer distances, but do you ever, umm, stop and break it up?” It’s easier to do if you’re warm and out of the weather, with a latte or a bowl of soup in front of you
You could easily start the same 7-mile loop at Island Park in Springfield and walk the other direction. Reward yourself at the turnaround point (at the Alton Baker Park parking lot) with a surprisingly excellent cup of coffee and muffin in the lobby of Slocum Orthopedics, a couple of blocks away. There’s a kind of poetry in that adventure.
Pro tip #1: Wear lightweight hiker’s gaiters (I wear Dirty Girl Gaiters) to keep bark chips from working into your socks and shoes.
Pro tip #2: There’s not much tree cover on Pre’s Trail; you may want to skip it on a rainy, windy day. Unless you’re training for a rainy, windy hike.
Week 4: Urban Hikes
Urban Trail Picks We Love
Tryon Creek State Natural Area
An urban gem tucked into southwest Portland, Tryon offers lush second-growth forest, seasonal wildflowers, and year-round trail access just minutes from downtown. We chose Tryon for this week’s highlight because it’s a place where TKO has built deep roots—supporting trail maintenance, leading crew leader trainings, and helping host stewardship events for new volunteers.
It’s also one of Oregon’s few state parks within city limits, making it a vital outdoor resource for nearby schools, families, and community groups. From repairing erosion on the Old Main Trail to brushing back overgrowth and maintaining bridges, our work here ensures that Tryon’s trails remain safe and welcoming for all.
Guadalupe Loop Trail
Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey
Just north of Lafayette, this serene loop trail winds through oak savanna, mixed woodland, and peaceful ridgelines with occasional mountain views. The trail is part of a 1,300-acre working monastery, home to Trappist monks who manage a bindery, guesthouse, and bakery. In 2010, the entire property became a wildlife conservation easement—protecting rare Willamette Valley habitat.
TKO helped assess this trail for accessibility and signage improvements, part of our larger commitment to increasing inclusive access across the region. Hikers are welcome dawn to dusk, but please respect the contemplative nature of the site: silence is requested near buildings and ponds, and dogs are not permitted.
It’s a peaceful walk—and a reminder of how trails can nourish both body and spirit.
Keizer Rapids Park Loop
Just north of Salem, Keizer Rapids offers a unique blend of riverside trails, oak savanna views, and historical intrigue. This park sits on land once crossed by wagon in the 1840s by Oregon Trail settler Thomas Dove Keizur, whose name—and many variant spellings—live on in the city today.
Today, the loop trail winds through forested disc golf fairways, alongside ponds and the Willamette River, and past interpretive signs that highlight the area’s cultural and ecological history. Keep an eye out for relics of sternwheeler history and seasonal changes in river height that reveal massive driftwood and flood debris.
TKO volunteers and community partners have contributed to keeping this trail system open and inviting—whether through brushing work, public cleanups, or accessibility improvements. It’s a quiet, often overlooked trail with deep roots and ongoing care.
Photo by Bonnie Henderson Trail Spotlight: Bonnie’s Walk to Lovely
Author and trail advocate Bonnie Henderson shares her favorite urban loop through Eugene and Springfield—a choose-your-own-distance journey that follows Pre’s Trail along the Willamette River and ends at a cozy café called Lovely.
From recovery walks after hip surgery to training for longer treks, Bonnie’s walk is a reminder that the hiking mindset isn’t limited to big miles or remote summits—it’s about connection.
“It’s right in the middle of the metro area, linking the two towns… It’s become even more appealing as I’ve been rehabbing. You can walk longer distances, but do you ever, umm, stop and break it up?”
This is a story of discovery, resilience, and hot tea on a rainy day—plus some bark chip gaiter tips.