Take it Outside! 

Celebrating America’s 

Great Outdoors 

Ride Green!

A Good Time for Badlands n The Fuzzy Math of Moss n District Round-Up 

The BLM’s 

S u m m e r 

Vacation 

Checklist 

Northwest Youth 

Esprit De Corps 
-

Op - “Ed” 

Sunshine and blue skies! 

It doesn’t matter if you’re a native 

resident or an esteemed visitor to the 

Pacific Northwest. After our recent 

record breaking rainy spring, we’re all 

chomping at the bit to get outside. And 

I’ve got three reasons why you should 

join us on America’s public lands! 

First, President Obama announced 

his America’s Great Outdoors initiative. 

His goal is for all Americans to come 

closer together as a nation by enjoying 

outdoor activities while developing 

new ways to conserve our 

natural resources. In this 

issue of Northwest 

Passage, we 

f e a t u r e 

a story about a brand new set of 

sustainable mountain biking trails the 

BLM created near Portland through 

partnerships with members of our local 

communities. I believe this is exactly 

the kind of outreach President Obama 

hopes to inspire. 

Second, it’s the season for families to 

head out on vacation. And we’ve got a 

great Summer Checklist. Now, we all 

know budgets are tight these days. And 

trips need to be affordable. So why not 

travel to a beautiful location that’s not 

much further than your own backyard? 

Throughout Oregon and Washington, 

we’re highlighting a few of our finest 

recreation sites closest to you. We sure 

hope you’ll check out our list and visit a 

few spots near your community! 

And last but not least, the BLM 

is very proud to announce four new 

wilderness areas in Oregon: the Oregon 

Badlands, Spring Basin, and White 

River in Prineville; and Soda Mountain 

near Medford. These wilderness areas 

are the result of the Omnibus Public 

Land Management Act of 2009. With 

our partners, we will protect and 

conserve these special lands to ensure 

their natural beauty and resources are 

preserved for generations to come. 

Want a few more reasons? Just check 

out the rest of Northwest Passage. 

We believe everyone will find 

something to inspire them 

to visit America’s 

Great Outdoors 

this summer! 

. 

2
 

Contents 

Features

8 The BLM’s Summer Vacation Checklist 

12 Blazing a New Oregon Trail 

26 Youth Esprit de Corps 

28 A Good Time for Badlands 

Edward W. Shepard 

State Director 

Oregon/Washington 

Bureau of Land Management 

Departments
 

2 Op - “Ed”
 

4 This Month’s Cover
 

5 Our Contributors
 

6 Dispatches
 

18 District Round-Up 

22 Public Lands Live 

32 BackCountry 

Original photo of the newly designated 

Spring Basin Wilderness by David Garcia Summer 3

2010
4

When Zach Jarrett contacted Northwest Passage with a story idea about 

the BLM’s newly-built mountain bike trails near Portland, we were 

intrigued. But when he showed us Anna Laxague’s photos? Oh yeah... 

Now we’re talking magazine cover. 

Because not only are Anna’s amazing action shots a breathtaking example of 

the kind of recreation available on our nation’s public lands, they’re also a perfect 

complement to President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative. 

President Obama recently signed a Memorandum to promote this very kind 

of innovative community-level action to conserve our land while simultaneously 

finding new ways to reconnect Americans to the outdoors. In fact, the President’s 

goal sounds very much like Zach’s story on the BLM’s Sandy Ridge Trail System, 

one of the most innovative community-based mountain biking trails of its kind. 

So whether you’re interested in riding the trails, joining a local hiking group, 

or fishing your favorite river, we hope this issue of Northwest Passage will inspire 

you to get outdoors and connect with your public lands and with your fellow 

Americans. See you out there! 

 

 

 

This Month’s Cover 

Take it Outside! 

V o l u m e 2 I s s u e 3 

W W W . B L M . G O V / O R 

Ed Shepard / publisher 

Jody Weil / editorial director 

Matt Christenson / editor /art director 

Teddi Duling / copy editor 

Shelly York / production coordinator 

contributors 

Michael Campbell, Matt Christenson, 

Jeff Clark, Gavin Hoban, Bob Hall, 

Megan Harper, Trish Hogervorst, 

Zach Jarrett, Christina Lilienthal, 

Tara Martinak, Pam Robbins, Cheyne 

Rossbach, Scott Stoffel, Maria Thi Mai, 

Mark Wilkening
 

photographers 

Scott Batchelar, Matt Christenson, John 

Craig, David Garcia, Gavin Hoban, 

Trish Hogervorst, Zach Jarrett, Anna 

Laxague, Christina Lilienthal, Cheyne 

Rossbach, Scott Stoffel 

contact 

Northwest Passage is a publication of 

Bureau of Land Management 

Oregon State Office 

333 SW 1st Ave 

6th Floor 

Portland, OR 97204 

503.808.6035 

or_northwest_passage@blm.gov 

mission 

The BLM’s mission is to sustain the 

health, diversity, and productivity of the 

public lands for the use and enjoyment 

of present and future generations. In 

Oregon and Washington, the BLM 

provides innovative leadership in 

managing natural resources of the 

Pacific Northwest. – 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Contributors 

j

k

m

Gavin Hoban & Bodie Mark Wilkening 

Anna Laxague 

l

Trish Hogervorst 

n

Zach Jarrett 

Jeff Clark 

o

j From Fog City to Fog Country! Growing up in the inner city 

of San Francisco, writer Gavin Hoban considered himself anything but 

“outdoorsy.” But a high school community service project helped him explore 

Golden Gate Recreation Area, and he was hooked! Fittingly, Gavin’s inaugural 

article in Northwest Passage (Page 6) is a travelogue about a lone winter’s hike 

through the Badlands – one of the Prineville District’s newest Wilderness Areas! 

In a region known for its spooky landscapes, Gavin wisely brought along his 

lucky lab Bodie. And when this recreation and wilderness expert isn’t exploring 

the Tolkien-esque Mordor of Oregon, Gavin can be found spending time with 

his family, and going on mountain biking trips (see more this issue). 

m Anna Laxague is adventure. Not only did she provide this issue’s cover 

and photos of mountain biking (Page 10), she’s dedicated her life to building and 

sustaining a better outdoors experience for the public. As a guide and outdoors 

instructor, Anna has taught mountain biking, climbing, skiing, kayaking and 

rafting. (whew!) Plus she’s a committed volunteer, logging hundreds of hours 

building trails and performing outreach with a host of public agencies. Now after 

two years traveling around the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean islands teaching 

trailbuilding and working with land managers, she serves as Pacific Region 

Director of the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Ride on, Anna! 

n Another esteemed visitor us from the BLM’s Salem District 

is Trish Hogervorst. Making her triumphant return to Northwest Passage, 

Trish brings us news from BLM botanists who are taking a closer look at some 

of our smallest forest residents: mosses and lichens (Page 8). Lest you think 

they’re any less important than massive trees or gorgeous roses, read on to learn 

how these hobbits of the forest world provide crucial nutrients to sustain the 

health of our entire forest ecosystem. Good things do come in small packages! 

k Zach Jarrett, outdoor recreation planner for the BLM’s Salem 

District, takes his first ride down the Northwest Passage. In addition 

to penning our cover story (Page 10), Zach recently traveled to a mountain 

biking conference in Augusta, Georgia, where he spoke to mountain biking 

enthusiasts from around the globe about effective ways to work with Federal 

land managers to design and build their own mountain bike trails. (And not 

to start a rivalry or anything, but we hear Anna can take you on the hills!) 

o ...who also happens to be the BLM’s newest public affairs 

specialist, Jeff Clark! In the spirit of eco-friendly practices, Jeff joined Mark 

to graciously put his “green” eye (groan...) on some of the BLM finest spots to visit 

this summer (Page 24). Jeff joins the BLM with years of Federal experience – plus 

a fabulous nickname he’s actively trying to lose. So...yeah. We promised we 

wouldn’t give it away. Nope. Not gonna say it. [grits teeth] okayican’thelpmyself! 

“Sugar Bear!” Sorry, Jeff. But, it could be worse. You could be “Cupcake.” 

l Wilkie! Can this really be your first foray into the world of Northwest 

Passage? Wow! (And lucky us.) Mark Wilkening, public affairs guru for the 

BLM’s Vale District, single-handedly carries more BLM experience than our 

entire staff. So when we wanted to feature must-see recreation spots on BLM 

lands (Page 24), we knew we needed Mark’s sage, Gandalf-like advice! And 

there’s none better than Wilkie to help our newest writer.... (hint: see o) 

Summer

2010 5
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FuzzyMath 

fter one of the wettest springs in the 

history of the Pacific Northwest, hikers, Abikers, horseback riders, and sightseers Enter Dr. David Watner of the University of Oregon and 

Story by triSh hogervorSt 

Dispatches 

The Mossman Cometh 

will strike out across back country roads 

and trails to enjoy their public lands. 

And while many will stop to admire majestic old 

growth trees arching to blue skies next to gorgeous 

technicolor flowers, how many will also take the time 

to study our less heralded mosses and lichens? 

Wait. What? 

First, let’s review. You might be thinking, “Um...I 

know I know this. But what’s a moss again?” Right? 

No problem. Perhaps a bit too simply, a moss is a plant 

with a stem and leaf but no eye-catching flower. Not 

the best for a Valentine’s Day bouquet. But a necessary 

part of the Northwest ecosystem all the same. 

And a lichen? Well, they’re practically the cyborg 

of the botany world. Lichens are actually a fungus 

growing symbiotically with algae. And unlike our 

fuzzy mosses, lichens tend to be found on rocks and 

tree trunks with a tell-tale crusty appearance. Also not 

carried by your local florist. But they’re tough, man. 

Yeah. Take that, tulips! 

And while many folks this summer may find admiring 

a blooming flower to come more, well, “naturally,” 

only a few will examine individual mosses and lichens 

as closely as some BLM botanists who recently spent 

a week at the BLM’s Salem District studying with two 

foremost experts on the topic. 

president of the Northwest Botanical Institute and Roxy 

Hastings, curator of Botany at the Royal Alberta Museum 

in Edmonton, Alberta. Dr. Watner and Ms. Hastings were 

invited by BLM botanist Ron Exeter to teach a course on 

the finer points of the aforementioned mosses and lichens. 

Their four-day class took place entirely in a makeshift lab 

at the Salem BLM office as their students studied moss 

variations under microscopes. 

Fortunately for the BLM, Dr. Wagner is the western 

United States expert on Racomitrium mosses. (Say that 

five times fast.) “Racomitrium mosses live on rocks from 

sea level to alpine slopes,” said Dr. Wagner. “There are 20 

Racomitrium species in Oregon. Some are common, others 

are very rare. Mosses have the ion exchange capacity of 

scavenging minerals from rainfall and rare elements from 

the atmosphere that other plants can’t extract. This makes 

them a keystone in the growth of Northwest forests.” 

So mosses pull necessary natural deposits from the rain 

and local atmosphere and put them into the ecosystem. Yes. 

And without these scavenger mosses? The forest might 

not receive its necessary rations to thrive and survive. 

Photos by John Craig & sCott batChELar 

a Fungus among Us 

6
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLM botanists learn how the smallest 

mosses and lichens may be crucial to 

our equation for healthy forests. 

natUraL sPLEndor 

May I see your library card? 

This kind of in-depth study of mosses is relatively 

new. After the Federal Northwest Forest Plan, Dr. 

Wagner spent countless hours inventorying BLM 

lands to determine what mosses inhabit the diverse 

landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. He collected 

thousands of samples of moss and even set up moss 

sample “libraries” for students to study. Frequently, 

the variation between one species of Racomitrium and 

another may be nothing more than the thickness of a 

cell wall or the symmetry between cells. 

Not to be upstaged, Roxy Hastings is the North 

American expert on Grimmia mosses. These mosses are 

generally found on acidic rocks east of the Cascades – 

most frequently in the Rocky Mountains. Ms. Hastings 

began her studies in zoology and geography before 

focusing on botany. Her knowledge of geography has 

been particularly helpful in cataloging locations of 

moss species. By identifying acidic rocks in ancient 

North American sea beds, Ms. Hastings is able to 

pinpoint where certain species of Grimmia are most 

likely to be concentrated based on their relationship to 

the local environment. And just like Dr. Wagner, Ms. 

Hastings is learning that mosses are a crucial member 

of their local environment – as well as necessary to the 

ongoing health of that ecosystem. 

And a box of chocolates.... 

So the next time you explore BLM lands, or perhaps 

even your own back yard, maybe take a few moments 

to study the vast array of mosses and lichens clinging to 

rocks and trees. Each new area can deliver a different 

species – and a single rock or log may contain a colorful 

bouquet of diverse mosses and lichens. A bouquet? 

Heck, maybe mosses and lichens will someday be 

popular enough for Valentine’s Day after all... 

Summer 7

2010

Moss hErE. LiChEns abovE. 
Take 

8
Summer 9

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 It Outside!
 What the heck is that big yellow orb floating in sky? A UFO? The return of Quetzalcoatl? To be honest, it does feel kinda 

hot so maybe the spaceship engines are getting closer? Or perhaps 2012 is starting early? (Someone in our office called 

it the “sun,” but we forget what that means...) Either way, it makes us want to get outdoors! 

And to celebrate the triumphant return of plaid Bermuda shorts, grilled hot dogs by the lake, and rafting trips down a 

mountain river, the BLM humbly submits our “Summer Vacation Checklist.” 

We’ve provided a diverse sample of beautiful sites close to where you live. And because we’re all keeping a closer eye 

on our wallets these days, these local public lands are a perfectly inexpensive option for your next family vacation. 

Okay, enough talk. The sun’s out and times a’ wasting. 

Ready? We’ve got three months. Go! 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

Lakeview 

Medford 

Coos Bay 

Burns Eugene

Medford 

Lake

Roseburg 

Salem 

Coos 

Bay 

Eugene 

Did you know you 

can safely drive 

to the very top 

of the almost 

10,000 foot high 

Steens Mountain? 

Point your family 

truckster up the 

north side of the 

loop to reach a 

crest that allows 

visitors aweinspiring views 

that virtually 

reach the coast on 

a clear day. Make 

sure you bring your 

camera because 

you might just 

run into a herd 

of wild horses 

galloping across 

a meadow. And 

nearby are the 

Diamond Craters, 

volcanic features 

that look more 

like a Martian 

landscape than 

Oregon. 

As you drift 

down the Rogue 

River, you’ll be 

surrounded by lush 

trees, impressive 

boulder-lined cliffs, 

and diverse wildlife. 

Plus be sure to 

stop by western 

author Zane Grey’s 

historic Rogue 

River Cabin. 

Christmas in 

July?! Only if 

you’re an offhighway vehicle 

aficionado. Close 

to 9,000 thrilling 

acres await you at 

Christmas Valley 

Sand Dunes. And 

even if you’re into 

recreation of a 

less mechanical 

type, there’s 

also hiking, 

sightseeing, 

photography, and 

camping in an area 

largely comprised 

of ash and pumice 

deposited nearly 

7,000 years 

ago during the 

eruption of Mount 

Mazama. And if 

you bring a pet, 

he or she will 

definitely get 

“Sandy Claws.” 

(groan...) 

The 17-mile, 

paved, multi-use 

path along the 

Row River Trail 

follows the nowabandoned Oregon 

Pacific & Eastern 

Railroad alongside 

the famously 

picaresque Row 

River. Here 

you can take 

hikes and bike 

rides, visit the 

Bohemia Mining 

Area featuring 

remnants of 

1800s gold 

mines, and photo 

the famous trestle 

bridge at Harms 

Park – location of 

the train scene 

from the movie, 

Stand By Me. 

Hint: Impress the 

locals by correctly 

pronouncing their 

trail. (“Row” 

rhymes with 

“cow.”) 

Where else but 

the Dean Creek 

Elk Viewing Area 

can you pull off 

the highway 

into easily 

designated pullouts to witness 

impressive 

Roosevelt elk 

freely trotting 

along the 

(fenced) side 

of the road? 

You’ll also be 

able to see (and 

photograph) 

coyotes, beavers, 

geese, and 

migrating ducks. 

Hint: Make sure 

you visit the onsite interpretive 

center for 

the best 

wildlife viewing 

opportunities. 

Take It Outside! 
 

 

 

Summer 11

2010

Prineville 

Spokane 

Roseburg 

Salem 

Learn more about 

BLM recreation & 

try our online 

search engine: 

blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/ 

eview 

Burns 

Prineville 

Spokane 

Vale 

An anglers’ 

delight! Bring 

your best fishing 

lures to tackle 

local smallmouth 

bass and 

steelhead at the 

John Day River. 

And when you’re 

done, sign up for 

one of the many 

thrilling floats 

down the river 

to end up at a 

family-friendly 

campground! 

Dunes! The 

Juniper Dunes 

tower 13 stories 

tall and four 

football fields 

wide awaiting the 

heartiest offhighway vehicle 

riders. And 

among the dunes 

stand some of the 

largest western 

juniper groves 

in the state of 

Washington. 

Bring a camera 

to snap photos 

of the famed 

Swainson’s hawks 

before taking 

a backpacking 

trip into the 

wilderness 

to set up 

camp. 

Underneath the 

watchful eye 

of the historic 

Yaquina Head 

lighthouse (open 

to the public), 

you’ll find marine 

life aplenty! 

From wading into 

tide pools to 

witnessing the 

45-foot long grey 

whales to the 

taking photos of 

the western gulls 

atop Yaquina’s 

bluffs, this area 

is an oceanic 

wonderland. 

The BLM 

manages a 

lucky seven 

mile stretch 

of the North 

Umpqua River 

where rafting 

enthusiasts 

shoot 

whitewaters 

amidst virgin 

stands of 

Douglas-fir, 

sugar pine, 

and hemlock 

trees. And even 

if you’re not 

much for water 

sports, the 

Rogue-Umpqua 

Scenic Byway 

runs parallel to 

the river allowing 

you the same 

glorious 

views and 

access to 

fishing, 

hiking, and 

watchable 

wildlife 

sites. 

Web-tastic! 

Vale 

Stand in a 

moment of time 

and rendezvous 

with history. 

At the National 

Historic Oregon 

Trail Interpretive 

Center, you’ll 

stand shoulder 

to shoulder with 

interpretive 

actors who 

reenact the early 

2,000-mile 

trek west. From 

covered wagons 

to cooking over 

and open fire, this 

indoor/outdoor 

museum boasts 

vivid artifacts, 

panoramas, and 

live theater sure 

to delight visitors 

of all ages. 
photos by anna laxague 

12
Blazing 

a New 

Oregon 

Trailstory by zach jarrett 

Summer
 2010
 13
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then Traversing a vast swath of the North 

American continent from the Missouri River 

to the Pacific Ocean, the Oregon Trail has 

provided a vital overland route for nearly 

half a century. Settlers, ranchers, miners, and 

business folks began using the trail all the 

way back in 1841 to reach new opportunities 

in the Pacific Northwest. These explorers 

14

traveled by foot, over wagon trails, on 

horseback, and by boat, often taking up to 

NowFast forward to 2010, and the formidable 

route of yesteryear has been replaced by a 

six months to travel the grueling terrain. 

whole new type of “Oregon Trail.” A ribbon of 

dirt featuring bermed corners, roots, rocks, and 

other technical features. The transportation 

of the past? A 1,300-pound prairie schooner 

loaded down with everything imaginable 

including your children. Transportation of the 

present? A 25-pound, 27-speed carbon fiber 

mountain bike capable of covering 80 miles a 

day and transforming a simple trail into a roller 

coaster through the woods. 

Lewis and Clark never imagined a trail quite 

like this. 

Blazing 

a New 

Oregon 

Trail 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2009, the Bureau of Land Management’s 

Salem District finished a planning effort that 

covered approximately 15,000 acres of land within 

the Sandy River Basin located between Portland 

and Mt. Hood. A key piece of this plan was to 

address the growing demand for outdoor recreation. 

With the urban center of Portland sitting just 

over 30 minutes from the Sandy River Basin, the 

BLM saw the opportunity to improve recreational 

opportunities for a large population. Hundreds of 

public comments were received during a three-year 

planning process indicating that there is a general 

lack of mountain bike opportunities on the Western 

slopes of Mount Hood and virtually no trails for 

mountain bikers that are less than a 45-minute 

drive from the Portland metro area. A series of 

open houses, public meetings and design sessions 

yielded concrete recommendations: New nonmotorized trails are needed along the Mount Hood 

Scenic Byway and improved river access is needed 

along the Sandy River. 

As the West was settled and metro areas became 

increasingly more populated, residents have looked 

to escape the hustle and bustle of city living for 

recreational activities close to home. People want 

to get outside, clear their mind from unwanted 

stress, and, most importantly, have a little fun. No 

doubt about it, we’ve become settled. Isn’t it time 

we reversed this process? 

With final approval of the Sandy River Basin 

Integrated Management Plan in May 2009, the way 

was cleared to implement these recommendations. 

Last year, five miles of new non-motorized trails 

were completed within the Sandy Ridge Trail 

System. The system is part of a larger recreation area 

being developed in cooperation with Clackamas 

County that will provide river access, historic 

interpretation and high-quality mountain biking 

from a centralized location. More is on the way 

in 2010, with five to six additional miles scheduled 

for completion. Once completed, this project will 

offer mountain biking opportunities for all ability 

levels and riding styles. “Bring your 9-inch travel 

bike or your rigid single speed. Just be ready for 

a ripping good time,” said Anna Laxague, Pacific 

Northwest Regional Director for the International 

Mountain Bike Association (IMBA). 

[continues] 

Summer 15

2010
16

The Sandy Ridge project has been strategically 

developed to proactively provide recreation opportunities 

that are appropriately located, built according to sustainable 

standards, and encompassing of progressive mountain 

bike trail design techniques. High visitor use numbers at 

the Sandy Ridge trails speak volumes about its popularity 

to bikers in the area and the high quality trail experience 

it provides. Laxague describes the riding experience in 

glowing terms. “A tasty ribbon of dirt flowing through an 

old-growth forest. The constant twists, trees, and booters 

hold the rider’s attention. Short climbs can be blasted like 

on a pump track maintain your speed and you’ll find 

minimal need to pedal. I’m not sure I’ve ever been on a 

trail quite like this one. It’s half resort area descending, 

half back-country single-track. Somebody pinch me.” 

Laxague isn’t the only fan of this new opportunity. Over 

1,400 visitors per month use the Hide and Seek trail, the 

first phase of trail construction completed within the Sandy 

Ridge project. The BLM estimates that approximately 2,200 

visitors each month will utilize this system after the next 

phase of trail development is completed by the fall of 2010. 

Local businesses have already seen an increase in travel 

and tourism-related spending as recreationists flock to the 

communities of Sandy, Brightwood, Welches, and Wemme. 

The BLM is challenged with managing this area into 

the future. How can the agency provide a high quality 

experience that does not degrade the natural resources 

that these very experiences are dependent upon? 

Enter the BLM’s partners. To create and maintain this 

trail system, the BLM has worked with a number of 

stakeholders and youth crews to alleviate the long term 

operations and maintenance costs by creating a trailbased community outreach that has fostered a grass 

roots approach to its management. 

The Northwest Trail Alliance (NWTA) is the largest 

mountain bike trail advocacy group in the State of 

Oregon and an IMBA affiliated chapter. With over 250 

active members, NWTA has signed an Adopt a Trail 

Agreement with the BLM to organize volunteer trail 

work parties, to provide oversight and recommendations 

on necessary trail maintenance projects, and to distribute 

visitor use information. At this time, the NWTA has 

provided over 2,000 hours of volunteer support on the 

project. 

While volunteer user groups and NWTA have been 

busy maintaining trails within the project area, a number 

of youth groups have been instrumental in new trail 

construction. In 2009 and 2010, over 10,000 hours of 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filling a Niche Sharing the Land

–
	
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

youth labor invested on the project. Members 

from Columbia River Environmental Youth 

Corps, Northwest Youth Corps (see more on 

page 26 of this issue - Ed.), Portland Youth 

Explorers, and the Urban League of Portland 

have participated in non-native invasive 

species removal, new trail construction, trail 

maintenance, and the installation of visitor 

signage. 

Portlanders are primed and ready to explore 

some of the most innovative trails in the 

state. There’s a buzz surrounding the Sandy 

Ridge Trail System that has reverberated 

throughout the cycling community. Thanks 

to strong partnerships, creative trail design, 

and a successful management plan, this 

area will delight future riders at every level 

of ability. So maybe it’s time you grabbed 

a bike, embraced your inner explorer, and 

set out on a two-wheeled expedition of 

your own! 

Hey! Let’s Go!

As rain drops give way to sunshine, 

Exploring the Future

Ho! 

Summer 17

2010

Driving from 

the direction of 

blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/ 

Getting There

Sandy, Oregon, 

head east on 

U.S. 26 for 11.4 

miles. Turn left 

on the second 

turnoff for Sleepy 

Hollow Drive – 

right across from 

Windells Camp. 

Then take the 

second right onto 

East Barlow Trail 

Road. After one 

mile, look for a 

locked gate on 

your left and park. 

This is Homestead 

Road. Bike trails 

intersect with 

Homestead Road 

at about three 

miles up the 

paved road. 

Or visit us online! [

Blazing 

a New 

Oregon 

Trail 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18

District Round-Up

PHOTOS BY BLM STAFF 

Burns, Oregon blm.gov/or/districts/burns 

• The Extreme Mustang Makeover held a very 

successful second debut at the Northwest 

Horse Fair and Expo in Albany, Oregon. A 

standing-room-only crowd cheered for all 

competition events and the adoption. Jasmine 

Lechner of Seal Rock, Oregon, and her mustang 

Princess Buttercup took first place. Vanessa Hanson 

of Dairy, Oregon, and her mustang Tuff E Nuff came 

in second and Gerry Cox of Colville, Washington, 

and his mustang Festus received third. And from the 

24 mustangs available for adoption, 24 were adopted 

with one placed on the Trainer Incentive Program at an 

average of $750 per horse. The high bid was $2,650 

for a gaited mare. Full results and coverage from 

the Mustang Makeover can be found online at: www. 

extrememustangmakeover.com/northwestmakeover.php. 

• Phase Two of the Steens Mountain Loop Road 

Reconstruction Project is set to begin this summer. The 

BLM will supervise major improvements along the 52-mile 

Loop Road over the next two years to improve access 

for visitors to the area. This reconstruction work is funded 

in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 

with over $2 million in funding so far allocated to this 

project. 

Coos Bay, Oregon blm.gov/or/districts/coosbay 

• Welcome back to Coos Bay Ralph Thomas! Ralph 

joins the District as its new Associate District Manager. 

Ralph fills in behind Robin Estes who is now working as a 

program analyst on the BLM’s Prineville District. 

• After donating over 25,000 hours of his time at the 

Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area over the past nine years, 

Coos Bay District volunteer Chuck Frazier was honored 

in Washington D.C. as a BLM “Making a Difference” 

volunteer award winner. Chuck received his award 

from BLM Director Bob Abbey. 

Congratulations Chuck...we 

couldn’t do it without you! 

• Summer programs at the 

New River Area of Critical 

Environmental Concern 

are back! Join the BLM and 

special guest presenters to 

search for owls during a night 

hike, learn about wildlife 

photography, and study tiger 

beetles. Programs begin June 

26 and run through Labor Day. Check the Coos Bay 

District website for schedule information. 

Eugene, Oregon blm.gov/or/districts/eugene 

• New faces! The Eugene District is very pleased 

to welcome Jason Cox as Eugene’s newest lead Law 

Enforcement Officer. Jason is joined by his canine partner, 

Rowdy. And with a communications degree from the 

University of Denver, Michael Mascari becomes the 

District’s Public Affairs Officer. Then swimming north from 

the San Joaquin Valley to the Willamette Valley is Mike 

Kinsey who has joined us as our fish biologist. And with 20 

years of program management experience with the Forest 

Service, Marci Rider will take on the role of Assistant 

District Manager for Support Services. Please give them 

a warm cyberspace welcome. Or, better 

yet, stop by and introduce yourself! Summer’s 

here in 

Eugene! 

Superstar 

Volunteer 

Chuck 

Frazier! 

Steens Mountain! 
 

 

 

 

 

Summer 19

2010

continues on next page 

Lakeview, Oregon blm.gov/or/districts/lakeview 

• State Director Ed Shepard and Associate State 

Director Mike Mottice made a special trip to southern 

Oregon to recognize employees of the Klamath Falls 

Resource Area for their contributions to the Klamath 

Basin Restoration Agreement and Klamath Hydroelectric 

Settlement Agreement. During a special ceremony, 

individuals were acknowledged for: (1) successfully 

negotiating water storage goals that mitigate impacts to 

BLM-managed lands and retain their intended benefits 

and resources, (2) clarifying BLM requirements, (3) 

establishing interim measures for the management of 

the Klamath River Corridor until a final decision is made 

on dam removal, (4) ensuring the BLM’s voice is heard 

regarding dam infrastructure maintenance or disposal, 

and (5) negotiating a placeholder for the long-term 

management of the wild and scenic river corridor, 

including the potential for acquiring PacifiCorp lands. 

State Director Shepard presented an award 

to the Klamath Falls Resource Area in 

honor of these accomplishments. The 

Welcome to News from 

- the BLM Districts

in Oregon and Washington!

inscription on the plaque read “Your historic achievement 

with the Klamath River Agreement creates partnership and 

progress for future generations.” 

Medford, Oregon blm.gov/or/districts/medford 

• The Medford District and the United Hunters 

and Sportsmen Association hosted a Free Fishing 

Day at Hyatt Lake on June 12. The BLM provided 

participants with rods, reels, and bait. Plus free boat 

rides were offered. Other activities included making 

salmon print t-shirts, free prize drawings, and free 

camping at the BLM’s Hyatt Lake campground 

for the entire weekend. Cascade-Siskiyou 

National Monument Assistant Manager 

Howard Hunter said, “We are hoping to 

get children to appreciate the outdoors and 

provide a fun family event.” After a successful event, 

many folks were heard to say they’d be back - soon! 

A y o u t h 

e n j o y s f r e e 

B L M f i s h i n g 

i n M e d f o r d ! 

Please join us for an update on all of our community happenings! 

From: District Round-Up

To: You

State Director Shepard Presents Klamath Fall’s Award! 

Summer 19

2010
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

Prineville, Oregon blm.gov/or/districts/prineville 

• The Prineville District hosted approximately 30 

volunteers in the Maston area of the Cline Buttes 

Recreation Area thirty minutes north of Bend, Oregon. 

Volunteers were organized by Trinity Cycles in Redmond 

and by the Central Oregon Trails Alliance, a regional 

mountain bike trails advocacy group. The project was 

managed by BLM employees Greg Currie, Gavin Hoban, 

and Jim Beaupre. Several groups installed bulletin 

boards at the main entry points, fixed fences, and 

picked up trash and old fence wire. The Maston area is 

an extremely popular winter mountain bike destination 

for Central Oregon residents and tourists. The area 

is also popular with equestrians and hikers and is the 

largest trail use area located near the City of Redmond 

in Deschutes County. This volunteer project along with 

proposed fence construction and trailhead development 

will help turn this area into a premier mountain bike, 

equestrian, and hiking 

destination. The 

volunteerism illustrated 

at this event indicates the 

high degree of interest 

and demand for trail 

opportunities on BLM 

lands. 

Roseburg, Oregon blm.gov/or/districts/roseburg 

• The Roseburg District has won the 2010 Riparian 

Challenge Award - an award given to a BLM District 

or Field Office each year by the Western Division of 

the American Fisheries Society. This award is given 

annually to honor excellence in riparian and watershed 

habitat management. This prestigious award recognized 

the extensive restoration and effectiveness monitoring 

efforts at the Wolf Creek Restoration Project. While 

large-scale restoration projects are quickly becoming 

Salem, Oregon blm.gov/or/districts/salem 

• Fishermen’s Bend Recreation Site Volunteer 

Coordinator Khrystyl Best was awarded the BLM 2010 

“Making a Difference” National Volunteer Award. In 

her role, Khrystyl assists in supervising a large number 

of volunteers and campground hosts at the developed 

recreation sites within the South Cascade Recreation 

Zone. Khrystyl coordinates check-in for campers, ensures 

campsites are ready, collects site fees and interagency 

passes, coordinates firewood sales, tracks visitor-use 

data, and serves as environmental education program 

lead and instructor for a number of outdoor classes at 

the park. On her own time, Khrystyl volunteers in the 

local community with the 4-H Program and local scout 

organizations. And she tutors local high school students 

in math. Thank you and great job, Khrystyl! 

the norm in western Oregon, the effectiveness monitoring 

work taking place in Wolf Creek set it apart as a special 

project. 

• What weighs 604 pounds and fills up the back 

of a BLM pickup truck? The latest donations from the 

Salvation Army food drive in the Roseburg District, that’s 

what! Donations are down in this tough economy so 

Roseburg District employees stepped up to the plate. In 

addition to the human food, nearly 100 pounds of pet 

food was also donated. 

PHOTOS BY BLM STAFF 

Cleaning 

up the

Maston 

area! 

District Round-Up

continues

from

previous

page

Khrystyl is the Best! 

Award-Winning Watersheds! 
 

 

 

 

 

Summer 21

2010

Spokane, Washington blm.gov/or/districts/spokane 

• The Spokane District bid a fond farewell to Mike 

Shannahan, the Spokane District’s first Law Enforcement 

Ranger. Serving from 1991 to 2010, Ranger Shannahan 

arrived on the Spokane District during a tumultuous 

time for BLM recreation sites in the Yakima River 

Canyon. He was involved in the Canyon Corridor 

Safety Project during the early 1990s and helped to 

improve public safety at some of the Spokane’s most 

heavily used recreation areas. Ranger Shannahan 

was also instrumental in working with the public in the 

Juniper Forest and Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area. 

And he helped secure cooperative agreements with 

county sheriff’s offices throughout the state to assist in 

managing the Spokane District’s scattered lands. Ranger 

Shannahan and his BLM family gathered to celebrate his 

more than 32 years of Federal service. 

Vale, Oregon 

YOUR OREGON & WASHINGTON BLM DISTRICTS

• Salem District Botanist Claire Hibler presented 

“Partnerships for Sustaining Native Plant Materials 

Programs: The Genesis of the Horning Native Plant 

Center” at the National Native Seed Conference at 

Snowbird, Utah. Claire’s presentation focused on how 

the Salem District – in partnership with Cascade Pacific 

Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. along with 

other organizations – built the Native Plant Materials 

Development Program and, specifically, the Horning 

Native Plant Center. The BLM provided the facility and 

some funding to start the center, and Cascade Pacific 

Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. has served 

as the administrator. This presentation demonstrated to 

practitioners how they might craft a similar program in 

their own area. 

Summer

2010

A F ond 

Farewell 

t o Ranger 

Mike 

Shannahan 

Come Visit the Oregon Trail! 

• The Spokane District is working with the U.S. Forest Service 

and the Washington Department of Natural Resources to 

consider a proposal by Echo Bay Exploration Inc. to conduct 

mineral exploration and potentially expand current 

gold mining operations in Okanogan County, WA. The 

exploration area includes approximately 1,200 acres 

of BLM, 6,900 acres of National Forest, 1,600 acres of 

Department of Natural Resources state land, and 300 acres 

of private surface and subsurface land. 

blm.gov/or/districts/vale 

• Vale District’s very own National Historic Oregon Trail 

Interpretive Center (NHOTIC) was in the news recently! 

The Associated Press published a feature article identifying 

NHOTIC as an ideal vacation spot for families this summer. 

Be entertained and educated by its historical panoramas, 

artifacts, and live presentations covering the settlers’ journey 

west. To see the article and photographs provided by the 

BLM, check out your local newspaper or read it online. Then 

come out to Vale and see the real thing in person! 
 

 

 

22

Gary WinG, Prineville – artistic 

Gary WinG, Prineville – wildlife 

Gillian WiGGlesWorth, vale people and recreation 

seth Macalady, saleM – fire 

Katrina Krause, roseburG – plants 

terry Fennell , saleM – landscape 

casey o’connor, laKevieW – cultural

cari 

taylor, Prineville 

blm at work 

Public lands Live 

The 

BLM’s 

Annual 

Photo 

Contest 
 

 

 

Summer 23

2010

[continues] 

Oregon is 

for Lovers 

(of Public Lands!) 

Each year the BLM holds a photo 

contest open to all employees. 

These shots are just a sample of the 

talented and creative output of our 

photographers who work on the 

public lands. To see the rest of this 

year’s amazing submissions, please 

visit our BLM Photo Library at blm.gov 

and search for “2009 Photo Contest.” 
 

 

 

24

heidi honner, sPoKane – wildlife 

scott hoPKins, saleM – people and recreation 

Michelle McsWain, Prineville – cultural 

JeFF broWn, MedFord – landscape 

seth Macalady, saleM – 

fire 

ron 

exeter, saleM – 

plants 

seth Macalady, saleM – blm at work 

ebenezer Krantz, Prineville – artistic 

sheldon 

rhoden, Prinevillle – 

fire 

r 

The 

BLM’s 

Annual 

Photo 

Contest 

Public lands Live 
 

 

Summer

rob horn, roseburG – blm at work 

MiKe Fieber, euGene – landscape 

people and recreation 

Gary WinG, Prineville – plants 

Jerry MaGee, state oFFice – cultural

 

fire 

ron 

exeter, saleM – 

artistic 

todd 

bush, euGene – 

wildlife 

lisa baldWin, vale 

Collect ‘Em All! 

25
 

2010
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you remember your summer jobs? Perhaps you had plenty of 

regular work, but nothing you’d call a career, right? or, to paraphrase 

Wayne Campbell, “do you have an extensive collection of name tags 

and hair nets?” l

What if You CouLd have doNe soMethiNg differeNt? With more long-term benefits? 

Like a lifelong experience of positive personal growth and friendship while still earning a paycheck. if that 

sounds interesting, the BLM may have a hot tip for you. there’s an opportunity for youth employment 

that’s a little more challenging – and a whole lot more rewarding. so if your kids are ready for more than 

just another summer season sweating over the fryolator , then the BLM’s partnership with the Northwest 

Youth Corps may be just the perfect fit for them. [continues] 

story by Matt christenson with Liz Karas Photos courtesy BLM & Northwest Youth Corps 

26
Summer 27

2010

Hi Family,

The BLM and the

Northwest Youth Corps

turned my summer job

into the EXPERIENCE

OF A LIFETIME!

See you in a few weeks!

Liz 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 “You’re putting yourself in a new place where 

you may never be again. a once-in-a-lifetime 

experience.” – ryan ojerio 

Photo provided by ryan ojerio 

NYC in Oregon

i

f you haven’t chatted with someone who’s worked for 

the Northwest Youth Corps, here’s a little background. 

since 1984, the Northwest Youth Corps has helped over 

10,000 young americans between the ages of 11 to 19 find 

jobs in our great outdoors. they restore habitats, construct 

hiking trails, reduce forest fuels to prevent fires, and much 

more. their structure is largely based upon the Civilian 

Conservation Corps from the New deal. and these youth 

crews work directly with such agencies as the National Park 

service, the u.s. forest service, oregon state Parks, and, of 

course, the BLM. 

so what kind of youths work on these crews? to answer 

that question, we asked dr. Bronwyn Baz, pediatrician at the 

oregon health and science university – and five-year veteran 

of the Northwest Youth Corps. “NYC is really for anyone. 

anyone looking for an outdoor experience learning work and 

environmental skills while having a lot of fun making lifelong 

friends.” 

and it’s not only about making friends. there’s a 

quantifiable benefit from working on a youth crew. Megs Boe 

who’s worked four sessions for the Northwest Youth Corps 

says, “Before my work with NYC, i didn’t really have life goals 

or even an idea about which direction i would steer my life. 

But [by] my final session of NYC, i was able to apply for an 

americorps scholarship to help foot the bill at university of 

oregon. i was the first in my immediate family to graduate 

from university.” 

America at Work 

so how does the BLM come into the equation? during 

these challenging economic times, the BLM has made youth 

employment one of its top priorities. and one way the BLM 

accomplishes this mission is through its long partnership with 

the Northwest Youth Corps. 

ultimately, youth crews need projects. and the BLM needs 

workers – especially during the summer season. But this isn’t 

just busy work. these youth crews provide crucial missionoriented support to federal lands. and they’re quite necessary 

because the summer can be the BLM’s most hectic months, 

what with a greater influx of visitors from around the world, 

the blooming of every variety of natural foliage, the heightened 

fire awareness and response system, an increase in scientific 

studies, plus a number of other federal requirements. 

so while the BLM is heavily occupied, the Northwest Youth 

Corps’s crew swoop in to play a critical role. they take care 

28
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of necessary work to keep our public lands safe and functional. 

as BLM recreation specialist Zach Jarrett puts it, “We rely on the 

Northwest Youth Corps to accomplish a tremendous amount of 

priority work each year.” 

No Dancing with the Stars? 

okay. so you’re a youth. or the parent of one. What can 

a member of a youth crew expect if you join up? to better 

understand, let’s turn to ryan ojerio, southwest Washington 

regional Coordinator of the Washington trails association. oh, 

and he’s also a former five-year member of the Northwest Youth 

Corps. 

“one of the most satisfying parts of the job was working directly 

on projects that had a tangible result. the work is physical work 

– but it’s equally creative and cerebral. 

“Your crew is ten kids cut off from computers, cell phones, the 

internet, and cable tv. in a sense, it’s just you, your crew, and 

the world. and that’s an incredible setting when you can focus 

your life on the basics. it’s powerful. You can’t get that from a 

classroom. You’re putting yourself in a new place where you may 

never be again. a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

“Plus it’s only five weeks,” ryan laughs. 

and speaking with Megs Boe again, she says specifically, “i still 

remember my first day of digging trail at Mary’s Peak in southern 

oregon. every time i swung my tool, it just bounced off the grass, 

not even leaving a dent. Watching my crew leader was amazing 

because when she swung her tool, she made beautiful new trail. 

i remember watching her and thinking, ‘i want to be that strong!’ 

the first week i was so sore i couldn’t move at the end of the day. 

But by the end of the session, i made trail just as beautiful as my 

crew leader. that session, i built muscles and a good dose of selfesteem to top it off.” 

Later, Fryolator 

so if your son or daughter might like to trade the hair net 

and name tag for their very own hard hat, while making longterm friendships working with other kids their age in nature? 

Please contact your local BLM office or the Northwest Youth 

Corps to learn more about signing up for a future session. 

and to those who become a youth crew member? You can 

expect to have the opportunity to work with other kids on 

projects in america’s great outdoors while learning life skills 

and earning money. 

and we can promise one thing: You’ll never have to say, 

“do you want fries with that?” 

learn more online at blm.gov/or and nwyouthcorps.org Summer

2010 2929
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Good Time 

Out my 

kitchen window, 

the snow is finally easing up. A 

big snowfall in Bend usually means 

only a trace of powder lies east of town. 

A hiker and his best friend brave one of 

the BLM’s most unique wilderness areas 

Today I know I want to hike. Burned out on 

months of Nordic skiing plus the promise of 

a lightening sky has lead me to the newly 

designated Oregon Badlands Wilderness. In 

the rain shadow of the Cascades, the frozen 

paths of the Badlands make for fast hiking. 

Usually. 

At the trailhead, I quickly realize my miscalculation: 

nine inches of snow had settled and the temperature is 

19 degrees and falling. With no other cars present, Bodie, 

my Labrador, and I have the Badlands all to ourselves. On the 

trail, Bodie romps like he did as a puppy, his nose plowing the 

snow like an Arctic ice breaker at full throttle. All is silent save the 

occasional snort from Bodie. 

Not a single limb stirs among the large, gnarled 1,000-year-old western junipers, snow clinging 

to their deeply furrowed trunks. I’d imagined them as ghostly figures marching silently, in procession. 

But they are as immovable as the neighboring sea of volcanic blisters called tumuli, which pepper the nearly flat 

landscape. Bifurcated ridges of lava, these tumuli yawn at the sky with gaping mouths of black basaltic teeth. 

30
 

 

 

for Badlands AS told by gAvin hobAn 

The crunch of snow underfoot 

reminds me that one can only experience 

this much snow in the Badlands perhaps once every 

winter. And with a change of heart, I long for my beat-up 

rock skis, so-named for their suitability for skiing on rocks. 

To the west, a high cirrus sky is moving in. A momentary 

cold gust of wind descends from nearby Bear Creek Buttes 

cutting through my gloves as if they aren’t there at all. 

I stop and climb a tall tumulus to orient myself, moving through 

a narrow moat-like crack. Sharp stones grab at my clothing until I reach 

the broad, flat summit. The ground is sharp and porous; large empty bubbles 

called vesicles have remained here as a memory of the frozen froth of lava which 

erupted some 80,000 years ago. An experienced tumulus climber, Bodie chooses to 

preserve his paws despite the covering of snow. 

From my lookout, I take my bearings on Horse Ridge and West Butte and make a plan to travel 

cross-country back to the trailhead. I take notice of the thick blanket of freezing fog at ground level 

spreading quickly south from Powell Butte. Descending through the snowy lichen and moss-covered 

uneven path, I am very careful of my step. 

Weaving south across the Badlands volcano, I am acutely aware of the passing of time: everything in the 

Badlands seems ancient. Older than history itself. I lose myself in my thoughts but notice the freezing fog bank 

which now covers the horizon and my navigation points. Looking back at my own history, I am reminded of foggy 

San Francisco summers from my boyhood. Bodie wanders in and out of the fog like a banshee. 

I stay my course, emerging near the trailhead as both fog and daylight wane to the west. My weary legs grudgingly 

guide me the final steps to my truck. As Bodie and I feel the warm blast of my heater, I wonder when I’ll bring my rock skis 

to the Badlands. Perhaps next year. 

Summer

2010 31
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BackCountry 

l

Deep in the heart of the Pacific Northwest lurks a primeval 

wilderness of ancient junipers, volcanic vistas, and fossils 

from eras long past. Ancient eruptions of cracks and craters 

make a hike on the Badlands’ trails feel more like a trek across 

the dark side of the Moon. 

This year the BLM is very pleased to celebrate the 

Badlands’ new designation as a Wilderness Area. As a result 

of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, these 

almost 30,000 acres have become a permanent member 

of the National Landscape Conservation 

System. And going forward the BLM 

will preserve the Badlands to ensure 

it retains all its primordial charm and 

prehistoric qualities. 

Inside this issue, you can also 

read BLM wilderness expert Gavin 

Hoban’s first-person account of a 

desolate hike through the Badlands 

with his best four-legged friend, Bodie, 

as his only companion. Maybe you’ll be 

inspired to visit it yourself! 

To learn more about 

the Badlands and 

the entire National 

L a n d s c a p e 

Conservation 

S y s t e m , 

please visit the 

BLM online at: 

b l m . g o v/o r / 

resources/nlcs 

Aventure into the Oregon Badlands

 is to travel back in history. 

l

Summer

2009 2010
 32