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.
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. Monday will be a partial day—leaving some time for a group ride after lunch. If you can only make it for some of the days please indicate that on your registration.
Thursday, May 26
Travel and Camp setup 3pm
Friday, May 27
Trail work: 9am - 5pm
Saturday, May 28
Trail work: 9am - 5pm
Sunday, May 29
Trail work: 9am - 5pm
Monday, May 30
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 camp here. Driving directions to base camp from Paisley are here. Make sure to fill your gas tank in Paisley or Silver Lake.
We will be along a creek with lots of shade. From Paisley, turn West on Co Hwy 2-08. You will follow the Chewaucan River for 9 miles or so and pass by Jones Crossing Campground. Just before milepost 10, turn Right on NF 3412. We will put up the Oregon Timber Trail sign. There is no potable water so bring plenty of drinking water. Sunscreen and bug spray are good too.
LOGISTICS - It’s still spring, and we’re camped at 5,000' and working at 6,000’ so temperatures will be quite chilly (freezing) at night and the weather can snow on us 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 available at the campground. Nearest fuel and services are over an hour away in Paisley or Bly. We highly suggest you fill your gas tank in Silver Lake as you travel.
MEALS - Please bring your own reusable plate, bowl, silverware, and drinking vessel. You are responsible for all your own meals. (hopefully we can provide some meals if COVID allows, but don’t count on it.
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 - Nighttime temperatures may be chilly in the 20s. Day temps can be hot with no shade or cold, windy, and wet with no shelter.
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.