Trail Ambassador Intro Hike – Shellburg Falls

Hike Leader(s): Loren P.

Hike Distance: 1.4 miles total

Elevation Gain: ~200 ft

Hike Intensity: Low – Moderate

Site Overview:

In the Santiam State Forest, Shellburg Falls State Recreation Area was hit hard by the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire, and was reopened to the public in May 2024 after years of community efforts to restore impacted trails, natural areas, and structures. This area offers nearly 6 miles of non-motorized, multi-use trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, as well as camping in 7 designated sites.

Hiking information:

We will be completing the Upper Shellburg Falls Hike, which is a 1.4 mile out-and-back trail from the Shellburg Falls Trailhead, to a viewpoint of Shellburg Falls, and back with about 200 feet in elevation change (this occurs over a short distance with a series of switchbacks). This is generally considered a low intensity hike. Dogs are welcome but must be on leash. Click here to view the Shellburg Falls Trail System Map.

What to expect:

We will be meeting at the Shellburg Falls Trailhead in the morning to do introductions, chat Trail Ambassadors, and set up the table station before heading out on the hike to learn about the area we are serving. This site is managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry and we ask that you follow all posted signage and regulations.

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

What to bring:

• Plenty of water
• Lunch + snacks
• Any medications or emergency supplies you may need
• Sunscreen + insect repellent
• A pack to bring all of this with you on trail
• 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:

• Comfortable shoes for hiking
• Rain gear, insulating layers, sun protection, etc. as appropriate for the weather

Instructions:

Detailed event information, including exact meeting location and driving directions, will be shared to registered participants in the days prior to the event.

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 ackowledgment 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.