Freshly benched trail awaits riders somewhere between Cox Pass and Moss Pass
A dedicated group of volunteers converged at Moss Meadows Horse Camp, eager to contribute to the restoration of the Oregon Timber Trail section ravaged by the devastating 2021 Cougar Peak Fire. Over the next few days, our sawyer crews ventured out to clear the trail, returning with wild tales of their encounters with massive trees and areas strewn with jackstraw blowdown. Our collective efforts aimed to provide riders with an unparalleled experience on the trail. The stats, according to stewardship coordinator Ben McCormack, “Approximately 21 miles of trail were cleared of deadfall, 3 miles of tread restored, and countless ceanothus pulled. I also witnessed my first stewardship event percussion performance led by the OTTA’s Mista Ruddy.” 637 work hours were logged at a value of $14,914.20.
Each day we woke early and stumbled over to the kitchen and group area, where Thom Batty, (OTTA board member and owner of Tall Town Bike and Camp) had Trailhead Coffee ready every day. I had a large batch of my favorite bikepacking staple, instant oatmeal to get things started right. We assembled and our stewardship coordinator, Ben McCormack briefed us with a work plan and details about how we might accomplish the work. We split into groups and set off with high hopes of doing as much work as possible and getting to know this area of the Oregon Timber Trail. On day one, I was lucky enough to be paired with Nathan Frechen who is a dedicated sawyer and trail steward who organizes and maintains many regions across the state, including Old Cascade Crest and Tillamook State Forest, Waldo Lake among others. Nathan lives for trail work and is amazingly generous to share his knowledge, also instructing with TKO’s Sawyer classes. The following day I was lucky to be able to spend time with Joe Myers, who is an equally dedicated trail steward, and creator of Bend Trails website. Joe helped rediscover Old Cascade Crest trails years ago and has since done work restoring Opal Creek with Beth Dayton and works regularly with COTA. Joe shared his sawyer knowledge and helped keep me on track. A favorite quote of the day from Joe “You know you’re supposed to keep your bar out the dirt, right?”
Another sawyer that’s been integral to Opal Creek rehab is Brad Engelbert. He and his wife Pam came from Corvallis with their dog Artemis and were another key team that cut out hundreds of trees further north towards Government Harvey Pass. Check out this impressive logout…Pam gets the super swamper award!
In addition to the incredible work accomplished, we witnessed several valuable teaching moments. Education lies at the heart of the Oregon Timber Trail's mission, and we strive to empower new sawyers. Beth Dayton, an esteemed member of the trail community involved with Cascade Forest Volunteers and Salem Area Trails Alliance, shared her reflections on working alongside our newly minted A sawyer and board member, Gracie Woodruff. She described the chainsaw as “noisy, stinky, and potentially dangerous”, but emphasized its effectiveness in getting the job done. She recounted Gracie's sense of awe “I feel connected to the tree in an intimate way I’ve never felt before. Even though I am cutting it, I feel like I know and understand it in an entirely different way.”
Nicole Brown versus Cheatgrass
On the final day, I had the privilege of joining an extraordinary crew at Moss Pass. The sheer amount of trail rehabilitation accomplished by this group of seven was awe-inspiring. We widened and reestablished the trail, witnessing individuals with no prior trail work experience making remarkable improvements on narrow and overgrown sections. As we completed our work, the trail appeared revitalized, easily visible, and eagerly awaiting riders. Cliff and Sarah, two volunteers from Bend, wasted no time, setting off on their bikes to sample the newly restored trail. There’s nothing like putting in a full day of benching and then being able to feel the results on your bike. It’s immensely satisfying. “We did that!” A special shout out to Nicole Brown from Outdoor Alliance for her hard work each day and for sharing her excellent videos!
Throughout the entire weekend, we marveled at the vibrant yellow and purple flowers blooming in stark contrast to the charred trees. These blossoms served as constant reminders of the hope and resilience that emerges after a devastating fire—a burst of colorful growth in the face of adversity. As a team, we were reminded of the tremendous power we have when working together to restore neglected backcountry trails. With each passing year, this trail will undoubtedly become an incredible testament to our dedication.
At the end of the day of trail clearing and cleanup, we reconvened at camp, indulging in refreshing drinks courtesy of Humm Kombucha, Deschutes Brewery, Ablis CBD and Reverend Nats Cider. We shared stories of the day's events, comparing the number of logs cleared and miles of trail reestablished. OTTA executive director Matt Ruddy treated us to Otto’s sausages grilled to perfection. Gracie Woodruff made both meat and vegetarian chili. Thom Batty made tacos and lovely chicken pasta. I’ll speak for myself in saying that it’s wonderful to have meals taken care of and was grateful for the advanced meal prep. Gathered around the crackling fire, we basked in the warm glow of camaraderie that only days of shared work can foster. It struck me how fundamentally primal it is to engage in hard physical labor, gather around the fire, and share food beneath a canopy of stars. This return to basics brought me immense satisfaction. As we slept under the open sky, exploring the new territory each day, we formed a close-knit tribe. It dawned on me that we, the trail folks, are a unique breed—willing to dedicate our Memorial Day weekend to labor, driven by a profound purpose. Working as a team has proven to be incredibly rewarding, and this experience is available to anyone who seeks it. If this sounds interesting, please reach out. The next event at Crooked Creek is quickly approaching, scheduled for June 9th to 11th, and the third event will take place on Crane Mountain from June 30th to July 2nd. There will be plenty of work for all. We will start working our way up to Crane Mountain as the snow levels allow. It promises to be both fun and challenging. See you there!
Links to those events:
If you’re a stargazer, you’re in for a treat in the Fremont National Forest