Bell Creek Trail Party

Crew Leader: Peter Reagan

Hike Distance: 8+ miles

Elevation Gain: 1000 feet

Hike Difficulty: Hard

Work Difficulty: Moderate

Project Overview:

Join us as we continue work on the Bell Creek Trail still closed after the Eagle Creek Fire of 2017. We have done a lot of exploration and initial log removal, but the trail still needs drainage, treadwork, and brushing in preparation for opening.

Hiking information:

Bell Creek is a remote connecting trail facilitating high loop and traverse opportunities above the Columbia Gorge for backpackers and trail runners. it is the heart of a conniection from the top of Larch Mountain in the west to the summit of Nesmith Point, 10 miles farther east, joining the upper ends of the Larch Mountain trail, Oneonta trail, and Nesmith Point trail. Reaching it involves hiking gently downhill for 2 miles from the trailhead just under the top of Larch Mountain on the Oneonta . Bell Creek itself then extends for 3 miles with small elevation losses and gains, across two bridges to it’s eastern end where it joins the still closed Horsetail Creek Trail. Once we reach Bell Creek we will hike toward the east end. Most of the remaining work is in the central portion of the trail

What to expect:

You should expect to participate in this work party for its entirety. For safety reasons, please do not arrive late or expect to be able to leave early. The day is scheduled a bit longer than our usual finishing time because the hike in and out is relatively long. Much of it is in ancient forest and high enough to be cooler; the slopes are gentle, but the last two miles gently uphill at the end of the day can feel long.

What to bring:

• LunchJoin
• Plenty of water
• Snacks
• Personal hygiene kit – must include a face mask/covering, hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes and work gloves (loaner gloves available if you do not have your own)

What to wear:

• Hiking boots or shoes (Please wear something sturdy that will protect your toes from sharp tools. Tennis shoes are not recommended and open toed shoes will not be allowed.)
• Work gloves if you have them. (loaner gloves available)
• Long sleeved shirts and pants.
• Rain gear as appropriate for the weather
• TKO will supply hard hats and safety glasses

Directions:

Access Larch Mt Road from just beyond Corbett on the Columbia Scenic Highway and proceed to Milepost 14, just below the summit.

• All volunteers will read and sign the TKO Volunteer Waiver updated for COVID-19 for release and indemnity of TKO and the land manager partner. Link will be provided in your registration confirmation.

• Volunteers must bring their own gloves, cloth masks, and hand sanitizer.

For a complete list of Covid specific safety measures, see our safety manual, available here.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: TKO recognizes that the trails we work on travel through the traditional lands of many Indigenous tribes. In every corner of what we now call Oregon, these people were forced to cede their land, their home, to the US government at various times throughout history. We are privileged to volunteer on these lands & express gratitude to the descendants of these tribes for being the original stewards of this land.

PERSONAL SAFETY: Your physical & emotional safety is our number one priority. If a person’s actions or comments make you feel uncomfortable/unsafe – interrupt directly, tell a crew leader &/or complete a post-event survey.

EQUITY & INCLUSION: TKO seeks to make Oregon’s trails a place where people can go to connect with nature & one another. Not everyone feels safe & welcome in the outdoors due to racism, bias & hate. We commit to being part of the solution to change that. Conduct, speech, or expressions that target individuals or groups will not be tolerated by TKO, regardless of whether they are based on age, citizenship, disability, ethnicity, gender identity/expression, geographic origin, language, marital status, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.