The Oregon Coast is a sight to be seen. Known as the People’s Coast for its remarkable public access, the scenic vistas and rocky shores are endlessly connected by numerous hiking trails up and down the coastline. Since 2018, TKO has teamed up with Oregon Coast Visitors Association and many partners in a concerted effort to build a trail stewardship movement for the Oregon Coast Trail and connective trails systems.
Neahkahnie Mountain, at Oswald West State Park is an insider’s must-hike destination. A known “gap” in the Oregon Coast Trail existed connecting the Neahkahnie Mountain segment south to Manzanita. Over the last two years, TKO has helped to see 2.5 miles of new trail developed to close this gap. Read on for the details and then join us in protecting this iconic place in Oregon. The video from some of our first trail parties back in 2019 and sums up how we engage in our mission for trail stewardship and advocacy.
In 2015, TKO wrote a letter of support for a project to address a gap in the OCT between the South Neahkahnie Mt. trailhead of Oswald West State Park and the town of Manzanita. Hikers were limited to walking the busy shoulder of Hwy. 101, or being forced to drive to a trailhead that was practically in their backyard. Fast forward 5 years, and the trail is now open! Hikers in Manzanita can now access the OCT and Neahkahnie Mountain just by walking out the front door. Just because the trail is open, doesn’t mean the story end here. TKO has committed to being a lifelong partner in the maintenance of this trail as well as the trails that connect to it. Be a part of our mission to see sustainable trails here, and all across Oregon, and donate today!
Our stewardship efforts extend beyond the new trail segment at Manzanita. We kicked off the year by welcoming a new cohort of Crew Leaders at Camp Magruder and supporting work on a local tsunami evacuation route. Even though the pandemic forced a halt through the spring, we were able to get back at in July. Since then, TKO volunteers have been working on improvement projects across the North Coast, including a full reconstruction of gabions at Oswald West, clearing fallen logs after the 2020 summer windstorm from the Indian Beach trail at Ecola State Park, installed OCT sign posts and “broke trail” in a new region of stewardship on the South Coast. Our volunteers are eager to keep the momentum going, but they need your support to keep their tools sharp. Donate today and support well-kept trails on the coast and beyond in 2021.
Support Oregon’s trails by serving on the TKO Board
Trailkeepers of Oregon’s annual Board application window is now open! We invite applications from those who are interested in broadening access to nature and Oregon’s outdoor places and who are passionate about TKO’s mission: protecting and enhancing the Oregon hiking experience through stewardship, advocacy, outreach and education.
This spring, the Trailkeepers of Oregon launched our very first “hike-a-thon” style fundraising campaign. This campaign, dubbed the Trailkeeper Challenge, was centered around inspiring folks to engage their communities in spending time outside the ways they enjoy most.
Spring is quickly approaching! That means before we know it, Trailkeepers of Oregon will be kicking off another Trail Ambassador season. Through partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon State Parks, the Mt. Hood – Columbia River Gorge Tourism Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, and Friends of the Columbia River Gorge, Trail Ambassadors will take to trails beginning April 22nd to engage with trail users across the state. We are always looking to grow our team – if you’ve been looking to give back to the trails you love, we want you on board!
Trailkeepers of Oregon
P.O. Box 14814
Portland, OR 97293
(971) 206-4351