Oregon BHA Donation Supports Trail Work in NE Oregon
In the northeast corner of Oregon lies some of the largest and most rugged expanses of backcountry in the state. Home of the deepest canyon in North America “Hells Canyon” as well as the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. This area contains over 1400 miles of trails that are mostly contained in the wilderness and require regular maintenance for both foot and equestrian passage.
The maintenance and management of these trails is no small task. The United States Forest Service (USFS) which has been under funded for trail maintenance for decades can only scratch the surface of what is needed to maintain safe and adequate access for public use. Thanks to the volunteer group Wallowa Mountains Hells Canyon Trails Association (WMHCTA) access to many of these remote areas is accessible for public use. This group is strategically based in Wallowa, Union, and Baker counties of which each county has a work trailer loaded with tools for volunteers to use to clear and maintain public trails. In 2024 the group cleared 213 miles of trails and removed 1398 trees to ensure public access.
To support the great efforts of WMHCTA, the Oregon chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers recently made a substantial contribution of $30,000 to the group to help in maintaining public access to public lands. The funds were raised from raffling off a coveted Nature Conservancy Zumwalt Prairie Deer Tag. The Nature Conservancy Zumwalt Prairie preserve is approximately 33,000 acres or 51 square miles and is home to some incredible deer and elk hunting. Tags are donated to nonprofit organizations in the local area that focus on the local community and environment in Wallowa County.
If you are interested in helping clear and maintain public trails in NE Oregon, please check out the WMHCTA website for details and volunteer opportunities. https://www.wmhcta.org
About Morgan Olson