National Trails Day

In honor of National Trails Day on June 3, northeastern Oregon trail users are invited to a work party at Salt Creek Summit on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. National Trails Day, sponsored by the American Hiking Society, involves thousands of volunteers in trail maintenance events all over the country.
The newly formed Wallowa Mountain Hells Canyon Trail Association (WMHCTA), in partnership with the US Forest Service, is organizing a full day of maintenance on trails used by horseback riders, cyclists, hikers, skiers and snowmobilers. Trail enthusiasts interested in helping clear trails for four-season use can either meet at Salt Creek Summit at 8:30 a.m., or meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Joseph City public parking lot on the Imnaha Highway to carpool.
US Forest Service staff will provide most tools, but handsaws are in short supply, and volunteers who have saws should bring them along, as well as work gloves. People should bring everything they would for a day hike, including a packable lunch, water, rain gear, extra clothing, and sun protection.
Salt Creek Summit, 10 miles up US Forest Road 39 from its junction with the Imnaha Highway, has a large parking lot used by skiers and snowmobilers in the winter, as well as a warming hut owned and operated by Wallowa County. In the summer, anglers, hikers, backpackers, cyclists and ATV riders flock to the area from all over the Northwest.
USFS Trails Coordinator and project leader John Hollenbeak hopes to have maintenance lined up on the Wagon Road, Devil’s Loop and Wing Ridge trails as well as some motorized trails. The goal is to have different crews working simultaneously on different trails.
An introduction and safety meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. at the Salt Creek Summit parking lot. Volunteers will be divided into crews, and everyone will reconvene at 4:30 p.m. in the parking lot.
For more information email info@wmhcta.org or call 541-426-8053 extension 29.