Outdoor Scoop

 In 2022 Oregon‘s largest forest fire was Double Creek fire in eastern Wallowa County in the Hells Canyon Recreation Area. This lightning caused fire burned over 170,000 acres. It began in mid-August and spread far and wide until October when drenching rains slowed it to a stand-still. Over 500 firefighters and extensive equipment were not initially effective due to the extreme warm weather, dry conditions and gusty winds. The area canyons are steep, deep, long and rugged. United States Forest Service managed the fire fighting efforts and once the dust settled they were tasked with managing the ground. In recent years they have not had much involvement in maintaining the many miles of trails. At times like this in Wallowa County they quickly turn to Wallowa Mountains Hells Canyon Trails Association (WMHCTA). This association was dreamed up by a number of concerned out-of-doors men with the sponsorship of USFS, all of whom were well aware that Smoky the Bear was no longer doing a decent job of maintaining trails. In 2017 they began organizing work parties to clear downed trees, cut brush and do whatever was necessary to keep hiking trails open and accessible. An example of their efforts: in 2024 they cleared 213 miles of trails, removed 1,398 trees from trails, improved 966 yards of trail tread and improved or replaced 31 signs. The association is a membership based non-profit. They collaborate with various federal, state, county and other agencies. They are explicitly non-political. They work closely with USFS to identify work projects, gather resources (tools and materials), and train volunteers. Additionally they offer classes in chainsaw and or crosscut saw training and certification, stock handling, communication and navigation, first aid and other training. A few years ago one of the very active volunteers rose through the ranks to become executive director shortly after he retired from an impressive career with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. He is Mike Hanson who has lived in the county for many years. His is a paid position. He has been very effective at developing great communication lines, securing grant money, working smoothly with various agencies and person ally leading many work parties. He works especially closely with Wallowa Resources, a 28 year old non-profit. They strive to create strong economies and healthy landscapes by being a go-between to land owners and government agencies. They work hard to foster land and water stewardship, educate and train youth and promote economic development and more jobs. A clear goal of Wallowa Resources is to preserve the integrity of rangeland, forests and family owned farm ground. I joined a small group of volunteers who spent five days replacing a few of the trail signs destroyed in the Double Creek Fire of 2022. Previous riders, hikers or trail runners had surveyed the entire burned area trail system to determine which signs needed repair or replacement. The location for each sign had to be accurate so the directional arrows on the new oak signs were correct. The signs were made by another volunteer who worked much of the winter utilizing USFS technology and machinery. Our task began by setting up a base camp at Cayuse Flats which is a few miles east of Imnaha, Oregon. Five of us rode out of camp on horses and mules. The sign posts, signs and equipment were carried by two pack mules. On day one, once we dropped into Yellowjacket Creek the fire devastation was overwhelming. Nearly every tree in sight had been burned and killed by the destructive power of wildfire. The regrowth of grass, bushes, wild flowers and low willows was impressive giving hope of eventual reforestation. Our second day out, with mules packing two posts and signs, we rode four miles north on Grizzly Ridge. This twelve mile long ridge separates the Imnaha River Canyon and Horse Creek on the East. We dropped off the materials which another work party will install to identify two trails which descend into Horse Creek. Our party was led by 86 year old Glenn McDonald of Enter prise, OR. He was the Wallowa Valley District USFS Ranger in the 1990s. I enjoyed his vast knowledge of the out-of-doors, Wallowa County, fire management and how USFS works. He had us well organized and led our party efficiently. Being involved was a privilege I deeply cherish. Visit www.wmhcta.org and join me as a volunteer.