Ginny first found Trailkeepers of Oregon during the pandemic, when she was looking for a way to connect safely with others and spend time outside. What began as three trail parties in the Columbia River Gorge quickly became a weekend ritual. “I told myself I’d go three times to give it a good try,” she says. “That summer, I was out almost every weekend.” Before long, she was trained on the crosscut saw and helping lead crews.

Joining the TKO Board came later, when she wanted to bring her background in nonprofit program management to something more meaningful. “My corporate job wasn’t feeding my soul,” she explains. “I really believe in TKO as an organization and wanted to be part of its growth.”

For Ginny, the rewards come in two forms: seeing the dedication of TKO’s volunteers and staff, and feeling the tangible results of the work. “When my paid work feels abstract, trail work brings real, concrete results,” she says. “There’s a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment that’s hard to match.”

Growing up on California’s North Coast, surrounded by redwoods and elk, Ginny didn’t realize how much those early experiences would shape her later connection to the outdoors. Today, she finds meaning in how trail work reconnects her to her late father, who worked in forestry. “He’d be proud to see me out here using a crosscut saw,” she says.

As a board member, Ginny is proud of TKO’s inclusive culture: “I was nervous at first, not knowing anyone or anything about trail work — or if I’d feel out of place as a woman. But everyone was so welcoming. Seeing women in leadership roles really made me feel comfortable jumping in.”

Her hope for the future is grounded in community and growth: “We’ve weathered tough challenges before and come back stronger. The more people we can pull under the tent, the more we can expand access to the incredible trails we have here in Oregon.”When she’s not volunteering or helping guide TKO’s mission, you’ll find Ginny exploring the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Wallowas — her favorite corner of Oregon — or rewarding herself with her favorite trail snack: gummy worms. “They don’t even taste good at home,” she laughs, “but on the trail, they’re perfect.”

Week 5 Partners

Nonprofit Partner

The Salmonberry Trail Foundation is restoring a historic rail corridor into an 82-mile multi-use path linking the Willamette Valley to the Oregon Coast. By reconnecting communities and opening new pathways for education, recreation, and economic growth, they’re helping Oregon’s trail network reach its full potential.

Corporate Partner

Skip the parking hassle and ride with Sasquatch Shuttle — connecting visitors to the Historic Columbia River Highway’s most beloved trails and waterfalls. By reducing traffic and trailhead congestion, Sasquatch Shuttle is helping protect the Gorge while making it easier for everyone to explore.

The switchbacks above Wahkeena Falls in the Columbia River Gorge are among Oregon’s most beloved — and most heavily used — trails. After years of storms, slides, and foot traffic, the tread had eroded into a slick and hazardous slope.

This spring, TKO volunteers led by crew leader Hope McKee spent weeks bringing it back to life. They installed cedar cribbing and curb logs, stabilized the hillside, and reshaped washed-out tread to improve drainage and footing.

“It’s the kind of work you don’t notice when it’s done right,” Hope says. “But it means hikers can pass safely, even after heavy rain or snow. We had a ton of grateful hikers stopping to say thanks.”

Along the way, the crew hauled logs by rope puller, repaired switchbacks, and caught glimpses of a downy woodpecker family nesting near the site — a reminder that when we care for the trail, we care for the habitat around it too.
Projects like Wahkeena show how every hour and every donation builds safer, more resilient access to Oregon’s scenic treasures.