Photo: Daniel Sharp
Crane Mountain and the first fifty miles of the Oregon Timber Trail are notoriously challenging. The reasons are many, between the fact that at over 8200 feet, Crane is the high point, a second is the western pine beetle, which weakens and ultimately kills many trees in this zone. All it takes is a strong winter wind storm, and the trail becomes littered with blowdown. Finally, it’s simply a remote section of trail that doesn’t get a large amount of traffic. Our goal is to change that and to have this area become a bit more accessible. Don’t worry, it will always be remote and rugged. Many a rider has made it as far as Lakeview and wondered if the rest of the trail needs this much work. The OTTA, partnered with the Fremont-Winema National Forest and signed a Cost Share Agreement to rehabilitate this part of the Fremont National Recreation Trail. 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!
Interested in joining us for this event? Please sign up here
NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED - Each event will begin with a safety and tool talk and we’ll talk about best tools and techniques for the work ahead. 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 morning group ride and then we’ll pack up camp. If you can only make it for some of the days please indicate that on your registration.
Thursday, June 8
Travel and Camp setup 4pm
Friday, June 9
Trail work: 9am - 4pm
Saturday, June 10
Trail work: 9am - 4pm
Sunday, June 11
Finish Trail work/group ride : 9am - 4pm
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 announce the specific base camp and work location as they become available.
LOGISTICS - It’s still spring, and we’re camped at 6,000' and working up to 7,000’ so temperatures can be 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. There is no cell service. No potable water is available at the campground. We will have water on hand, but please bring what you need on trail and at camp. We suggest filling up your gas tank in Paisley or Lakeview before you make it to basecamp.
MEALS - Please bring your own reusable plate, bowl, silverware, and drinking vessel. We will be providing coffee and oatmeal for breakfast. Please bring what you need for lunch and dinner.
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 can 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 freezing. Day temps can be hot with no shade or cold, windy, and wet with no shelter. Bring extra warm layers and outerwear just in case.
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.
Photo: Gabriel Amadeus