Oregon Outback Trail Stewards

03/29/2024

The southernmost 50 miles of the Oregon Timber Trail are challenging. This high-elevation route follows the crest of the Warner Mountains, climbing to 8200 feet at Crane Mountain. It’s a remote area where the trail doesn’t get much use, so following it can be difficult. Many dying trees have fallen over the trail, making sections nearly impassible and forcing riders to lift their bikes over hundreds of logs.

This year the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance will partner with the Fremont-Winema National Forest to restore these 50 miles of trail. The Forest Service will fund two work parties as long as we contribute at least 720 hours of volunteer labor. That’s where you come in.

SAVE THE DATE - Come get your hands dirty at our upcoming stewardship events on May 24-26 and again June 14-16. Learn more at https://buff.ly/3VrsuWS

Photo: Daniel Sharp

03/06/2024

I let things slide with this group for a while, I had some health issues to deal with but I'm back in action now.

The group will start meeting again later this month but here are some updates for you: I have set in motion a proposal to build bike trails at the Warner Canyon Ski Hill. It has been approved by the ski board and the count commission. Travel Southern Oregon has provided a grant for a feasibility study that will take place as soon as enough if the snow melts. This is going to be the major project for OOTS for the foreseeable future, but we will still be avaiable for other smaller trail projects in the area.

Our previous meeting time has been taken over, once I set a date with the Chamber of Commerce I will inform the group.

Cheers!

09/12/2023

Anyone interested in helping man a booth, see if we can get a few more members?

We are SO excited to host the Trailblazers. The downtown event is going to be fantastic, Downtown Cafe will be cooking burgers as a fundraiser, many booths, activities, and give aways!

Mark your calendars!

07/25/2023

Hey folks, let's do some trail work! I've been busy most weekends with the OTTA clearing deadfalll from the Oregon Timber Trail, but chainsaw season is over for a while.

So, time to make some tread improvements on the Non's Trail. Meet at Tall Town Bike & Camp at 8:00 AM Saturday. Bring snacks, WATER, and your favorite trail tool. I will provide some loaner tools. Goals are to armor the boggy spots with gravel (thanks again Dog Lake Construction), create a water diversion above the erodes section and try to repair the erosion damage.

If anyone has a non-powered w**d whacker we can do a little brushing, and a hand saw will take care of a few branches that are causing problems.

Contact Thom at the bike shop or Shelley at the Chamber of Commerce with any questions.

06/02/2023

Before and after pictures of the stream crossing at the upper Noni's Trailhead. Debris dams were holding water, making for a hazardous crossing.

Also, big thanks to Dog Lake Construction for repairing the culvert and parking area.

04/25/2023

Trail conditions scouting trip this Sunday, 4/30 8:30AM. Meet at the Mill Trailhead on Deiter Ranch Road off Hwy 395. This will be a mountain bike trip, maximum of 14 mile round trip depending on when we get turned back by snow or blowdown.

PM or contact Tall Town Bike and Camp if you need to borrow a bike. RSVP appreciated so we don't leave without you!

(Picture for attention, this is the South Fork Crooked Creek parking area)

04/21/2023

On Sunday the 16th eight member of the Oregon Outback Trail Stewards went on an assessment hike on the Noni's Trail. Starting from the lower trailhead across from the swimming pool, the plan was to hike as far as we could before we ran in to more snow than we wanted to deal with. We made it within about a half mile of the upper trailhead before turning back. Overall the trail was in better shape than expected given the winter we have had. There are a few spots that are holding water, and some places that need some erosion control. Work days to be scheduled soon.

03/26/2023

This Monday, 3/27 is our monthly meeting, 5:30PM at the Chamber of Commerce meeting room. Anyone interested in trails is welcome to attend.

01/24/2023

Great first meeting. Total attendance was 20 people and one dog with a number of use types and two federal agencies represented. We identified a number of potential projects and some other trail groups we can collaborate with. Training and certification opportunities were discussed, some initial roles within the group assigned, and names and contact information gathered. All in all I consider it a success. Our next meeting is Monday February 27th, 5:30 pm in the Chamber of Commerce building.

01/24/2023

First meeting tonight, 5:30 at the chamber of commerce building in Lakeview.

01/17/2023

Why do we need OOTS? This is why! Help us make trails better in the Oregon Outback. First meeting Monday, 1/23, 5:30PM at the Lake County Chamber of Commerce building, 126 N. E Street, Lakeview.