TK-U Scout School: Advanced Scouting Lab (Eastern OR)

Crew Leader: Steve Kruger

Hike Distance: up to 2 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,100′

Hike Difficulty: Easy out / Moderate back

Service Difficulty: Easy

Service Description: We will do service necessary to assess the conditions of the trail and collect the data necessary to propose solutions to the problems found

Project Overview: This registration is for the 9/21 Advanced Scout Lab, special thanks to our partners at Bureau of Land Management for the opportunity to host this 2-part training series 9/20-9/21with local staff and partner organizations. BLM staff, other professionals and community volunteers are welcome, please register for one or both days:

• 9/20 TK-U Tread School – Tread Lab at Blitzen River Trail
• 9/21 TK-U Scout School – Advanced Scouting Lab at Wildhorse Lake Trail

For the 9/21 Advanced Scout Lab, participants will scout trail conditions for deferred maintenance needs and possible trail problems. This event is perfect for new or first time trailkeepers or veteran trail builders who are looking to brush up on their skills. Those that come with experience are very valued in bringing additional learning lessons to the group!

Trailhead & Hiking information: The lake is accessible by a trail starting at the Wildhorse Lake Overlook, which is just off the Steens Mountain Loop Road near the summit. This path heads downhill past a hiker registration box for 0.2 mile to a rimrock cliff overlooking Wildhorse Lake. Here the trail suddenly turns left, traversing down a precariously steep rocky slope. Soon the path begins following a brook through increasingly lush meadows, ablaze with pink monkeyflower, orange paintbrush, and yellow Oregon sunshine. At the 1.2-mile mark, the trail ends at the narrow sand beach of Wildhorse Lake.

Classroom information: After the field experience the first part of the day, participants will head back to the BLM Burns Office for a follow up classroom portion to finish off the day.

Lodging options: Lodging options in Frenchglen near the field site might interest some. The Frenchglen Inn is fully booked, but there are a few cabins left at The Steens Wilderness Resort and tent camping both at the resort and the Page Springs Campground. There are more lodging options in Burns.

What to bring:

• Lunch, plenty of water (1-2 liters) & trail snacks
• Work gloves (extras provided by TKO)
• Safety Glasses (extras provided by TKO)

What to wear:

• Pack for lunch/supplies
• Boots (Please wear something sturdy that will protect your toes from sharp tools)
• Long sleeved shirt and pants.
• Sun shade and rain gear as appropriate for the weather
• TKO will supply hard hats and safety glasses

Directions: Will be provided to registrants 48 hours prior to the event. Meeting location for the 2nd workshop day will be at will be at the Steens Summit Trailhead. Class time will be held in the early afternoon at the BLM Burns office at the end each day.

COVID-19 Procedures: TKO requires proof of vaccination or a negative test in order to participate in in-person activities. Please reach out to TKO staff person natalie.ferraro@trailkeepersoforegon.org for questions regarding this policy. For a complete list of Covid specific safety measures, see our TKO C-19 Safety page.

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.

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.

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 the post-event survey.