TK-U Tread School: Tread Lab (Eastern OR)

Crew Leader: Steve Kruger

Hike Distance: up to 2 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 25′

Hike Difficulty: Easy

Service Difficulty: Easy

Service Description: We will do service necessary to teach the skills of brushing, drainage maintenance, and tread maintenance

Project Overview: This registration is for the 9/20 Tread 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 9/20 Tread Lab, participants will learn by hands-on field experience on how to clear trail corridor, maintain drains, and perform slough/ berm removal. 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: Page Springs Campground is located at the base of Steens Mountain, just three miles from the town of Frenchglen, Oregon. Thirty-six roomy campsites situated under cottonwood and juniper trees and near the Donner and Blitzen River welcome visitors year-round. The campground serves as the trailhead for two short hikes and where are group will focus our energy: the Blitzen River Trail meanders four miles up the river, while the Wilderness Nature Trail climbs gradually to the top of the bluff overlooking the valley floor and looping one total mile. Page Springs also offers a large, covered picnic area for no-fee day use, multiple vault restrooms, trash cans for public use and drinking water.

UPDATED Classroom information: After the field experience the first part of the day, participants will head back to the Steens Wilderness Resort for a follow up classroom portion to finish off the day. We will give those with travel time back to Burns plenty of time for that trip.

Lodging options: Each day will end with classroom time in Burns, but 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 first workshop day will be at the south end of the Page Springs Campground and second day of the workshop will be at the Steens Summit Trailhead. The BLM Burns office where class time will be held and 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.