Can you dig it?
Lend a hand at Tillamook trails cleanup party
By Chelsea Yarnell
For the TODAY
A fallen tree can close an entire hiking trail. And for the thousands of recreational hikers, bikers, runners and riders that enjoy the trails in the Tillamook State Forest, overgrown paths and debris can significantly decrease the amount of accessible trails.
To keep everyone outside and enjoying the woods, five organizations are supporting a Tillamook Trails Party to prepare a section of trail in the Tillamook Forest for the 2025 season.
Volunteers are invited to get their hands dirty, participate in trail stewardship and work alongside trail-loving volunteers from across Oregon on Saturday, March 29, from 8:30 am to 3 pm, starting at the Jones Creek Trailhead parking lot.
“The state and federal agencies are severely under-resourced to do this work themselves,” said Nathan Frechen, local stewardship team lead for the Tillamook State Forest. “A lot of time it does fall to volunteers to keep these areas alive. That’s a sad reality we’re in right now, but that’s the reality. My role with the Oregon Department of Forestry is to figure out what the priorities are for the upcoming year. I work with our sponsors to figure out dates, get the word out, get volunteers and organize people in the crews to provide tools and make sure that we’re doing the work.”
For the work party, an estimated 50 to 75 volunteers will break into teams to clean up roughly 10 miles of the Wilson River Trail from Elk Creek Campground to the Tillamook Forest Center.
“The focus is going to be on creating a better experience for people,” Frechen said. “We don’t want people getting slapped by brush when they’re mountain biking, running or hiking out there. We’ll be pruning back vegetation and ensuring water is draining appropriately. We’re ensuring the long-term sustainability of the trails.”
Frechen estimates that 25 percent of the volunteers at each work party are new to the work. No experience is needed to volunteer and tools will be provided
“We have a number of experienced crew leaders that are very knowledgeable and confident at educating people that are new to this,” Frechen said. “We make sure everyone’s having a good time and feels welcome. Typically, we have hot food and a bonfire afterwards. We all have a chance to connect, tell stories and laugh.”
The handful of partnerships for the work party: Northwest Trail Alliance, Westside Trail Federation, Oregon Equestrian Trails, Trailkeepers of Oregon, State Forests Trust of Oregon and Daybreak Racing, have varied vested interests in the trail system, which demonstrates the wide range of recreation opportunities in the Tillamook Forest.
“It’s an incredible place with a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and a vibrant community of organizations and volunteers dedicated to maintaining and enhancing its facilities,” said State Forests Trust of Oregon Executive Director Kelly Lau. “Our mission is to connect people with these public lands in meaningful ways. Each of these efforts is rooted in [a] deep commitment to making the forest more accessible and enjoyable for everyone while ensuring its legacy is preserved for generations to come.”
Saturday’s work party is just one of several that are hosted by collaborating organizations around the state.
“We are lucky to have such a strong, grassroots community of builders who are eager to help out when it comes to recreational trails,” said Megan Zimmer-Zaikoski, director of communications with Westside Trail Federation. “We have had a record year when it comes to volunteer hours and are hoping to use this momentum to provide help in other recreational areas in the Tillamook State Forest.”
Whether you’re a seasoned trail builder or new to trail stewardship, there’s a role for everyone.
“One thing that I really like to stress to people is there’s a huge sense of accomplishment that comes from doing this work,” Frechen said. “Being able to see something that is in a state of disrepair and then four hours later you can look at what you did and see the results of your work; that really seems to resonate with people.”
The Jones Creek Trailhead parking lot is located roughly 20 miles from Tillamook on Highway 6. To sign up as a volunteer, for additional information and instructions on liability waivers, go to nw-trail.org.