Rock Lakes Basin (Roaring River Wilderness) 3-Day Logout, Brushing BCST

Crew Leaders: Mark W.

Hike Distance: up to 4 mi per day

Elevation Gain: 800ft

Hike Intensity: Moderate/ Hard

Work Intensity: Moderate/Hard

Work Description: Crosscut Logout, tread work, brushing

***Please contact the crew leader if you have any questions or if you’re interested in joining us on this trailparty.***

Project Overview:

This BCST is located in the Clackamas River Ranger District of the Mt Hood National Forest. We will be meeting at the either the Frazier Turnaround Trailhead or the Shellrock Lake Trailhead on Thursday morning for a Safety Chat and explanation of our weekend objectives. We will load up our backpacking gear and tools and start working on the Shellrock Lake Trail #700 and make our way towards Middle Rock Lake on the Serene Lake Trail #512. On day 2 we will continue working on the Serene Lake Trail and try to connect to the Grouse Point Trail. The remainder of the trip we will continue working in the Rock Lakes Basin and hike back out to the trailhead. For now, we’re assuming that there will be a fair number of trees down, sections of tread that’ll need some work, and plenty of brushing. Volunteers will receive more information as we get closer to the event.

What we do know is this will be an arduous work party and a somewhat longer workday than usual. It’s suitable for hardy folks used to long hikes and experienced in trail work and overnight camping. **Please consider your fitness level before signing up! Overnight volunteers will need to carry all their backpacking gear plus tools.** This is within the Roaring River Wilderness and we will be following Leave No Trace principles. There are no restrooms in this area.

Bring your personal saw kit (crosscut saw, wedges, axe, pruning saws, loppers, etc}. We will carry tread tools (pick mattock, other…). Depending on how many people we have registered, we can discuss home many crosscut saws are needed.

Here is a link to the Serene Lake Trail #512 ROG (Recreation Opportunity Guide)

Grouse Point Trail #517 ROG

Cache Meadow Trail #702 ROG

If you have questions about this event or would like to register, please contact (mark.wattier@trailkeepersoforegon.org) or (vito.perrone@trailkeepersoforegon.org)

Hiking information:

This trail begins at the end of Forest Road 4610-240 (4,640’) (Frazier Turnaround) or Shellrock Lake Trailhead. **This is dependent on having a high clearance vehicle that can make it up to Frazier Turnaround.** From Frazier Turnaround, head southwest towards Frazier Mountain. The trail passes Frazier Mountain to the south after 0.4 mile. The trail continues southwest 1.6 miles to Cache Meadows and the junction with Cache Meadow Trail #702 (4,380’). The trail travels north through the meadow to the ridge above Serene Lake and after 1.6 miles the trail reaches the junction with Serene Lake Trail #512 (4,760’). Take a right at Serene Lake Trail and continue down to Serene Lake .8 miles. In the next 1.3 miles, the trail will pass spur trails to Lower Rock Lake, Upper Rock Lake, and Middle Rock Lake. The travel east .5 miles through some Old Growth back to Frazier Turnaround.

Potential cancellation:

The crew leaders may decide to cancel the work party the day before based on forecasted weather conditions. We will not work in high winds and may also decide not to work in rain. Volunteers are advised to check their emails the night before in case there are unanticipated work party cancellations.

What to bring:

• Lunch for 4 days.
• Plenty of water/filtration system.
• Snacks.
• Gloves/safety glasses.
• Food and snacks for 3 days (2 nights).
• Everything you need for a 2-night backpacking trip.
• Bug Nets
• Camping Chair
• Tent
• Need gear? TKO has clothes, boots, camping gear, and more available for loan. Reach out to volunteers@trailkeepersoforegon.org to let us know how we can help!

What to wear:

• Boots (Please wear something sturdy that will protect your toes from sharp tools. No tennis shoes allowed!).
• Work gloves.
• Long sleeved shirts and pants.
• Rain gear as appropriate for the weather.
• TKO can supply hard hats if needed.
• Extra warm clothes. It might get chilly at night.

Directions:

There are many road closures because of the 2020 Riverside Fire and we will have to use Skyline Road and FS RD 58 to access Frazier Turnaround Trailhead or the Shellrock Lake Trailhead. More detailed directions will be provided through email as we get closer to the event.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: TKO recognizes that the trails we work on travel through the traditional lands of many Indigenous tribes and communities. In every corner of what we now call Oregon, these people were forced to cede their land, their home, to the US government. 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.

ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS: TKO seeks to make our events inclusive of people of all backgrounds and abilities. If you would like to discuss potential accommodations to allow for your participation in this event, please click here to complete a short Google survey. TKO staff will then contact you to discuss options. Please note: available accommodations will vary by event and typically need to be requested a minimum of two weeks in advance. If you have any questions, please contact TKO Stewardship Manager Lindsay McIntosh-Tolle at lindsay.mcintosh@trailkeepersoforegon.org.

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 like 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.

While TKO no longer requires masking/vaccination for its events, we do support those who feel masking is necessary for their own safety. We ask participants to respect the health of folks who wear masks by distancing or wearing a mask while in close proximity.