Board Member Spotlight
Ginny Sorensen
Trail crew member, volunteer leader, and board member
Ginny first found Trailkeepers of Oregon during the pandemic, when she was looking for a way to connect safely with others and spend time outside. What began as three trail parties in the Columbia River Gorge quickly became a weekend ritual. “I told myself I’d go three times to give it a good try,” she says. “That summer, I was out almost every weekend.” Before long, she was trained on the crosscut saw and helping lead crews.
Joining the TKO Board came later, when she wanted to bring her background in nonprofit program management to something more meaningful. “My corporate job wasn’t feeding my soul,” she explains. “I really believe in TKO as an organization and wanted to be part of its growth.”
For Ginny, the rewards come in two forms: seeing the dedication of TKO’s volunteers and staff, and feeling the tangible results of the work. “When my paid work feels abstract, trail work brings real, concrete results,” she says. “There’s a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment that’s hard to match.”
Growing up on California’s North Coast, surrounded by redwoods and elk, Ginny didn’t realize how much those early experiences would shape her later connection to the outdoors. Today, she finds meaning in how trail work reconnects her to her late father, who worked in forestry. “He’d be proud to see me out here using a crosscut saw,” she says.
As a board member, Ginny is proud of TKO’s inclusive culture: “I was nervous at first, not knowing anyone or anything about trail work — or if I’d feel out of place as a woman. But everyone was so welcoming. Seeing women in leadership roles really made me feel comfortable jumping in.”
Her hope for the future is grounded in community and growth: “We’ve weathered tough challenges before and come back stronger. The more people we can pull under the tent, the more we can expand access to the incredible trails we have here in Oregon.”When she’s not volunteering or helping guide TKO’s mission, you’ll find Ginny exploring the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Wallowas — her favorite corner of Oregon — or rewarding herself with her favorite trail snack: gummy worms. “They don’t even taste good at home,” she laughs, “but on the trail, they’re perfect.”
Trail Highlights
Burnt Lake · Mt. Hood National Forest
A three-day Backcountry Stewardship Trip brought together eight volunteers — including three teens new to TKO — for a weekend of hands-on learning and team spirit. Crews brushed the loop around the lake, added drainage to muddy sections, and rebuilt tread on a switchback. Between games of Farkle and cold dips in the lake, they made real progress toward stabilizing the trail for the coming winter rains.
Image Creek · Table Rock Wilderness
Led by Josh Durham, TKO volunteers spent two days brushing out dense vegetation along this steep two-mile section that rises a thousand feet from trailhead to ridge. Overgrown brush and fallen logs had turned the route into a tunnel of salal and vine maple; by the end of the weekend, it was transformed into a safe, clear path with sweeping views — a markedly different experience for hikers and horse riders alike.
Vista Ridge · Mt. Hood National Forest
Home to TKO’s longest-running volunteer tradition, the “Old Vista Ridge Trail Party” celebrated its 17th year of care for this iconic Gorge-to-Peak route. Volunteers removed downed trees, repaired erosion, and cleared brush to keep access open to Owl Point — and to the spectacular views that make this trail a beloved destination.
Wilderness Ambassadors + Trail Champions
From Timberline and Ramona Falls to Drift Creek and the Coast Range, TKO’s Wilderness Ambassadors and Trail Champions serve as the eyes and ears of our public lands. This season, they engaged with more than 1,500 hikers, shared Leave No Trace principles, dismantled illegal fire rings, and reported hazards to land managers. Their presence keeps visitors safe and trails protected in some of Oregon’s most loved and fragile wild places.
Week 5 Partners
Nonprofit Partner
The Salmonberry Trail Foundation is restoring a historic rail corridor into an 82-mile multi-use path linking the Willamette Valley to the Oregon Coast. By reconnecting communities and opening new pathways for education, recreation, and economic growth, they’re helping Oregon’s trail network reach its full potential.
Corporate Partner
Skip the parking hassle and ride with Sasquatch Shuttle — connecting visitors to the Historic Columbia River Highway’s most beloved trails and waterfalls. By reducing traffic and trailhead congestion, Sasquatch Shuttle is helping protect the Gorge while making it easier for everyone to explore.