2019 was a landmark year for the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance. Our momentum out the gate had carried us a long way in four short years but it was quickly becoming apparent that in order to achieve our goals we would need to develop a business plan with diversified funding streams. Our strategic planning process was identifying near and long-term milestones and it was clear that we would need to invest a considerable amount of time writing grants and talking with funders to see where our priorities overlapped. Fast forward a few months and we found ourselves stacked with exciting and ambitious projects—and for the first time—funding to execute them.
The Oregon Timber Trail Alliance’s mission is based on four key tenets: Stewardship, Community, Education, and Experience. We’re thrilled to see these grants be applied towards each of these priority areas and hope you’ll make plans to either join us as a volunteer, or better yet—enjoy the fruits of our labor out on the trail!
Here’s a breakdown of each grant award and the important work it’s going towards.
Watson Fire Rehab - $150,000
Oregon’s largest pool of trails funding comes from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), administered by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). This fund disseminates approximately $1.6 million each year to trail construction or rehabilitation projects. (maintenance projects are not eligible) As such, it requires an environmental impact study (NEPA) to have been executed and project approved before applying. This process typically takes years of planning itself, but due to the catastrophic 60,000 acre Watson Fire in the Fremont Tier, a NEPA study had already been completed as part of the post-fire mop-up efforts.
The OTTA in conjunction with the Klamath Trails Alliance decided the best use of this fund was towards the rehabilitation of this iconic under-loved trail that’s been in peril of being lost since the 2002 Pole Creek fire. The Watson Fire burned very hot in many areas and torched about 16 miles of trail. Hiring a professional contractor to rebuild this entire segment would cost a difficult-to-swallow $400,000 to $500,000. By analyzing the fire damage carefully and utilizing our already strong volunteer stewardship presence in the area we were able to bring that cost down by 50% to about $3 per foot—and subsequently write a successful project proposal for the RTP committee. (You can view a PDF presentation on the project here, and a seperate blog post here.)
This RTP grant fund requires a 30% match ($50,000!) which is equivalent to 2,000 volunteer hours. That’s right, we’re leaning heavily on you—our dedicated trail volunteers—to help rehabilitate this treasure of Southern Oregon. See our events page for volunteer events through 2020-2021 and join us for one of these memorable Stewardship Campouts.
Sisters Gateway Community - $22,000
The 9 Gateway Communities along the Oregon Timber Trail are its backbone—without them thru riders would not be able to resupply and day trippers unable to treat themselves to a milkshake or draft beer after a ride. The largest of these communities—Sisters, pop. 2,700—has embraced the Oregon Timber Trail and is one of our riders’ favorite pitstops. Slushies at the Sno Cap, organic veggies at Richard’s Farm Stand, cold beer at Three Creeks Brewing, a freshly tuned bike from Blazin Saddles, and a warm bed and cold cocktails at Suttle Lodge on their way out of town prepares riders for the unrelenting elevation of the Hood Tier.
This grant from the Central Oregon Visitors Association funds these components:
Gateway Community souvenirs, merchandise, and a toolkit and workshop developed with local businesses to attract and better serve OTT riders.
Photos assets of mountain bikers enjoying the OTT and other local trails.
Collaborative stewardship event with Sisters Trail Alliance (STA) along the OTT.
This grant also requires a match equivalent to 300 volunteer hours—join us and STA this summer to improve Sisters Country’s amazing network. See our events page for volunteer events through 2020-2021 and join us for one of these memorable Stewardship Campouts.
Old Cascade Crest Rehab - $13,220
In 2017 we partnered with Trans-Cascadia and BendTrails.com to uncover what would become many riders’ favorite section of the entire Timber Trail. This area has a rich history and sees little use, but the potential for one of Oregon’s best riding destinations is apparent after even a short ride on Scar Mountain or Pyramid Creek. We’re continuing this trail restoration and erosion mitigation work this summer with the partnership of Alpine Running, Salem Area Trail Alliance (SATA), and the Willamette National Forest.
This grant is funded through the Title II program and you guessed it—also requires a match with volunteer hours! See our events page for volunteer events through 2020-2021 and join us for one of these memorable Stewardship Campouts.
Lakeview and Paisley Outreach - $10,000
This strategic investment from Travel Southern Oregon supports the continuation of the extensive work we’ve invested in the Lakeview, Paisley, and Silver Lake communities of Lake County over the past several years. Every rider that tackles this rugged, challenging terrain is stunned by its raw beauty unlike anything else Oregon has to offer. There’s a reason these Stewardship Events remain our most popular year after year.
This investment will support:
11 trail stewardship days in 2020.
Lakeview Grand Depart Community Festival on July 10th, 2020.
A toolkit and Gateway Community workshops for businesses to better serve OTT riders.
Come see what all the fuss is about and join us for one of our many events in 2020 and 2021!
Hood Tier Gorge Loop & Trail Stewardship - $9,800
We’ve heard again and again that you want to ride the OTT but don’t have time to tackle all 700 miles. We get it, neither do we. Our goal with each Tier Loop is to develop a 2-3 day adventure suitable for beginner and intermediate riders that encapsulates the forests, views, camping, and riding of the Tier at large. This strategic investment fund from Hood-Gorge helps develop the loop alignment, detailed route guide materials, marketing assets, and stewardship of the trails it uses.
See our events page for these volunteer events coordinated in partnership with the Mount Hood National Forest, 44 Trails, and HRATS.
Historic Bunchgrass Rehabilitation Project - $3,000
A continuation of our Bunchgrass Rehabilitation Project is partially funded through Travel Oregon’s Forever Fund and in 2020 we begin the most exciting phase: new trail construction! This 2.8 mile sub alpine connector has been talked about for a decade or more as a way to completely link the Gateway Community of Oakridge to Waldo Lake. Our Fugrass events this and next year will build out this exciting new trail and enhance what is arguably Oregon’s most notorious epic ride.
See our events page for volunteer events through 2020-2021 and join us for one of these memorable Stewardship Campouts.