Watson Fire Rehab #2

July 2-4
Paisley, OR
Fremont-Winema National Forest

In August of 2018 the Watson Creek Fire ignited and eventually burned 60 thousand acres—including one of our most treasured segments of the Fremont Tier: Bear Creek and a portion of Winter Rim. Earlier in 2018 and in the spring of 2017 the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance had spent over 2,000 volunteer hours re-opening and restoring the Fremont National Recreation Trail through this area.

As always, a large hot fire is a tragic and sad event. Yet this area sees a frequent cycle of fire and regeneration—it’s part of how the landscape functions and cleanses. This particular area was clogged with beetle-kill pine logs: a carpet of volatile forest fire tinder. It was a matter of time for this fire, however selfishly frustrating for those of us who like to enjoy its beauty on feet, hooves, or tires.

While it will take many years to resemble its former self, its regrowth is unique and beautiful in its own right. The OTTA, partnered with the Fremont-Winema National Forest, has been awarded a $150,000 Recreational Trails Program grant to rehabilitate the 16 most severely burned miles of the Fremont National Recreation Trail between Government Harvey Pass and Chewaucan Crossing. A stipulation of this generous grant is that we invest over 2,000 hours of volunteer labor in the project—that’s where you come in!

NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED - That's right, we just need a smile, a pair of gloves, and a good attitude from you. Our goals for this event will be focused primarily on re-establishing trail tread and clearing undergrowth and deadfall along the trail corridor.

SCHEDULE - We'll set up base camp on Thursday evening, and plan on beginning work after breakfast on Friday morning. Expect to put in a solid 8 hours of trail work each day. Sunday will be a partial day—leaving some time for a group ride after lunch. 

Friday
Trail work: 9am - 5pm

Saturday
Trail work: 9am - 5pm

Sunday 
Trail work: 9am - 11:30am
Group ride: 12:30pm - 3:30pm

GETTING THERE - The roads to base camp will be passable by all passenger vehicles. There is NO cell reception so carry paper maps. It's about a 6 hour drive from Portland. We will be camped at a dispersed site 30 minutes outside of Paisley. Driving directions to our Mill Creek Meadows base camp from Paisley are here. Take NF3315 for 8.3 miles from Paisley, turn left on double track spur NF013, and in a few hundred yards turn right on NF168 before you cross the meadow dike. Find us in the aspen grove.

LOGISTICS - We’re camped at 6,400' so temperatures can be quite chilly at night and sunburn us all in the same weekend. Come prepared. Drink plenty of water, take breaks, and wear sunscreen. Since we’ll be working in a burn area we will get quite sooty and dirty. Bring extra clothes if you don’t want to look like a chimney sweep each day. There is no cell service. Potable water is NOT available at the campsite. No bathrooms are available but we’ll dig a latrine. Nearest fuel and services are half an hour away in Paisley. We highly suggest you fill your gas tank in Silver Lake or Paisley as you travel.

MEALS - Please bring your own reusable plate, bowl, silverware, and drinking vessel. You are responsible for all your own meals.

YOU SHOULD BRING - Tent, sleeping bag, pad, extra toilet paper, lots of water, dishes, and a camp chair. During the work day Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required to work on public lands; this includes a 6-point suspension helmet (some loaners provided), eye protection, gloves, long pants, long sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes/boots. Bring a pack, with water, snacks, mosquito repellant, and sunscreen each day as well. Blister treatment is a great idea too. If you have a large pack or BOB trailer, consider bringing it as the trails are steep and rugged and getting tools to where they're needed will be a challenge. And don't forget your bike riding gear—we'll make sure there's some time to ride if you're not too exhausted at the end of the day.

WEATHER - Night time temperatures may be chilly in the 40s. Day temps will be hot with no shade.

This is going to be a fun event working, camping, and riding in the Timber Trail’s most intriguing tier. We're excited and grateful that you're spending a valuable summer weekend giving back to our public lands. On behalf of the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance and the Fremont-Winema National Forest a huge thanks goes out to everyone lending a hand at this stewardship event.