TKU Timber School: Boardwalk Material Milling – Mt Hood

Crew Leader: Vito P.

Max Size of Crew: 6

Hike Distance: mile(s) < 1 Mile

Elevation Gain: N/A

Hike Intensity: Low

Work Intensity: Moderate to High

Work Type: Using mills to make material for a step-and-run project on the Mirror Lake Trail.

THANKS TO TRAVEL OREGON FOR SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT!

Project Information:

Want to learn how to mill boardwalk material from cedar logs? We will be using an Alaskan Chainsaw mill and a large Wood-Mizer sawmill to create decking material for a step-and-run project on the boardwalk for the Mirror Lake Trail. This project will be led by the Mt Hood National Forest Trail Crew at the Zigzag North Compound. We will be using rigging, peaveys, and levers to move large logs onto the sawmill. Then we will mill the decking and store them. There will be another event later where we will bring this material up to Mirror Lake using mechanical toters. This is all in preparation for the multi-day Trailkeepers University Timber School Event on June 21-23.

More information:

We will use chainsaws to cut the logs into suitable lengths. You must have a current chainsaw and First Aid/CPR certification to operate the saw. Please bring all the required PPE if you plan on operating a chainsaw. TKO has some PPE that can be borrowed. Please contact Vito Perrone if you have any questions. (vito.perrone@trailkeepersoforegon.org)

You should plan to participate in this trail party for its entirety. For safety reasons, please do not arrive late or expect to be able to leave early.

Event details:

We will be meeting at the Zigzag Stewardship Center at 8:30AM. Directions will be provided to participants as we get closer to the scheduled event dates.

What to bring:

• Plenty of water
• Snacks/lunch
• Work gloves if you have them (loaner gloves available)
• Any medications or emergency supplies you may need
• Sunscreen + insect repellent
• A pack to bring all of this with you on trail
• TKO provides all tools and personal protective equipment (hard hats, gloves, glasses)
• 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. Tennis shoes are not recommended. Open-toed shoes will not be allowed.)
• Long sleeved shirts and pants
• Rain gear, insulating layers, sun protection, etc. as appropriate for the weather
• Hearing Protection (When operating the sawmill or chainsaws)
• Eye Protection (When operating the sawmill or chainsaws)
• Chainsaw Chaps (When operating a chainsaw)

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: TKO recognizes that the trails we work on travel through the traditional lands of many Indigenous tribes and communities. We are the most recent in a long line of stewards to this land, and it is our responsibility to do so with humility and respect. We are grateful to these tribes and their descendants for being the original and continuing stewards of these spaces, and encourage everyone to go beyond a land acknowledgment by supporting Indigenous communities and organizations in your area.

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.

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 our events, we do support those who choose to mask 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.