Mt. Hood National Forest is a unique and special place – in essence, an urban Forest with wilderness experiences for the 2.5 million people of the Portland metro region, Columbia Gorge towns and surrounding communities. TKO has drummed a beat here for well over a decade, drastically expanding our stewardship and advocacy efforts.
A number of initiatives have made for a powerful time for trail stewardship in this region:
Clackamas River Trail has been an annual site for our leaders to care for trails since 2013. Just under 3 years ago, the National Forest Foundation identified Mt. Hood National Forest as the next site for their Treasured Landscapes campaign and we jumped in with trail parties and trainings through our development of a trails training weekend called TKO Tread School. Not only has that training allowed us to engage new volunteers, the program has shed light on trails like the Salmon River Trail.
This week we identified two scenic sites of Oregon that are designated as National Wild & Scenic Waterways. The trails that correspond to these places are special to us and the Clackamas River Trail has been a place we have touched tools to trail for over 5 years. Two of our most dedicated crew leaders, Elaine & Patrick Keavney, have adopted this trail and are heading out this week to respond to reports of many trees down from storms last month. Join them!
With support from the National Forest Foundation and Oregon’s Mount Hood Territory, we have been pleased to offer an annual training event since 2018, nestled along the Salmon River within the Zigzag Ranger District. TKO Crew Leaders, as well as partner and agency instructors, deliver a comprehensive trails training, providing a foundation of trail design and maintenance skills. We’ve got the fun training all figured out, plus food/refreshments and a beautiful place to stay – grab a bunk, pitch your tent, or rent a room for the weekend and get ready to build some trails!
After TKO Tread School in May 2019, we were really starting to get our boots planted in building more volunteer support in the Zigzag Ranger District. In early 2019, a women’s hiking group from Portland reported that a loop trail off the east end of the Salmon River Trail (just south of Trillium Lake) was nearly impassable from the encroaching Rhododendron. We kicked things off with their group in late June 2019 and then have followed up with a half dozen trail parties along this beautiful trail. Get ready for more in the years to come.
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