Clackamas River Trail Rehabilitation (Fire Damaged)

Crew Leader: Elaine & Pat K.

Max Size of Crew: 11

Hike Distance: < 2 miles

Elevation Gain: (in ft) 250-500 ft.

Hike Difficulty: Moderate

Work Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Work Type: Tread work/Bench Repair

Event Information:

The entirety of the 7.5 mile trail—and more importantly the cliffs and slopes above it—suffered high severity burns in the Riverside Fire of 2020. It also suffered from the same windstorm that fueled the fire, though of course the damage is intertwined. Fifteen months of rain, snow, freeze/thaw, and torpedoing windfalls onto fractured cliff faces, hydrophobic soils, and steeply-inclined and loose talus have left us an extremely challenging and dangerous rehabilitation challenge. The terrain and post-fire-associated geomorphological changes are very similar (and as challenging) as those posed in the aftermath of the Eagle Creek Fire.

Please be aware of your capabilities and limits before registering for this event. If you have any questions please contact Elaine Keavney (elaine.keavney@trailkeepersoforegon.org)

Project Information:

We will be doing a variety of work depending on the situations as we move forward. This may include brush or rock removel, re-establishing the tread or removal of debris.

Potential cancellation: Please watch for updates as late as 7AM the morning of the event, we will not host the event if the weather is not safe for our team.

COVID-19 Information:

**You will be asked to electronically sign the e-waiver for this event, provide proof of vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test result, and perform a self-assessment health screening within the 24 hours preceding the event.** The crew leader for this event will verify that you have completed these requirements at the trailhead safety talk before the trail party begins. The registration confirmation and pre-event emails will contain further details and links.

What to bring:

• Food for the entire event.
• Plenty of water
• Snacks
• Gloves, safety glasses, hard hat
• Chainsaw chaps and hearing protection

What to wear:

• Boots (Please wear something sturdy that will protect your toes from sharp tools. Tennis shoes are not recommended and may not be allowed.)
• Work gloves
• Long sleeved shirts and pants.
• Rain gear, insulating layers, sun protection, etc. as appropriate for the weather
• Hard hats, gloves and eyewear will be available for new volunteers.

Directions:

We will meet at the bridge that crosses Fish Creek, just off of Hwy 224. This is about 18 miles from Estacada. Detailed directions will be included in the pre-event email. Allow 20-30 minutes driving time from Estacada to the meeting point.

Google Maps Link!

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 from 1853 – 1871. We are privileged to be here today and we express gratitude to these tribes and their descendants for being the original and continuing stewards of these spaces.

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 or welcome in the outdoors due to issues that include racism, bias, and hate. We commit to being part of the solution to this problem and to enact change. Conduct, speech, or expressions that target any individual or group 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, socioeconomic status.

PERSONAL SAFETY: Your physical and emotional safety is our number one priority. If a person’s actions or comments make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you may: interrupt directly, tell a crew leader, and/or inform TKO staff via the post-event survey.