Trail Work

Levitation Gets a Tune-Up at Rocky Point

On November 15, a crew of 17 volunteers gathered at Rocky Point to give Levitation some much-needed attention. This trail has a personality all its own, and the team focused on improving one of its trickier features: a loose, off-camber berm marked by an exposed root and tired logs that had long outlived their usefulness. … Read More

Clearing the Way for Better Trails at Hagg Lake

Last weekend, volunteers returned to Hagg Lake to continue rerouting a section of the Hagg Lake Loop Trail where a bridge had been uprooted. The team focused on clearing several hundred feet of new corridor, felling and removing downed trees, and tackling thick vegetation to prepare for the new alignment. It was a sunny but … Read More

Volunteers Break Ground on Hagg Lake Trail Re-Route

Submitted by Dan Werle Ten volunteers gathered on the southwest side of the Henry Hagg Loop Trail for a dig day focused on an important re-route project. Together, the team cleared a quarter-mile section of new trail, working to improve drainage, enhance the overall ride experience, and help reopen a portion of the loop that … Read More

SHIFT 2025: 46 Volunteers, 10 Miles Cleared, and 30 Pounds of Potatoes

Written by Nancy Stone An absolutely glorious weekend greeted the 46 volunteers who attended the 2025 St. Helens International Festival of Trails (SHIFT). This long NWTA tradition is a campout weekend that includes a work party, bike riding, and lots of camaraderie.  Traditionally, the event is held at the Marble Mountain Sno Park, where volunteers … Read More

NWTA + Orogenesis Rally to Reopen Forgotten Trails

Written by Nancy Stone NWTA and Orogenesis Collective recently joined forces to log out and clear the Tillicum Trail, a vital connection in the Loowit Tier of the Orogenesis Trail.  After a month of near summer-like weather conditions, June-uary descended upon the Gifford Pinchot National Forest with ambitious vigor on Friday and Saturday. Sunday provided a well-deserved respite from warmer temperatures … Read More

Drainage Done Right: Trail Work on Powell Butte’s Elderberry Trail

What a day, and what great weather! Portland has been given a real treat with some early spring sunshine, which made the conditions perfect for some trail maintenance on the Elderberry Trail at Powell Butte Nature Park. The dedicated volunteer team did a bit of work to maintain water drainage along the trail. Portland Parks … Read More

From Racing to Digging: NICA Composite Team Adopts Butternut Creek Bike Park

NICA — the National Interscholastic Cycling Association — has an impressive presence in Oregon. Across the state, different teams, called “composites,” bring 6-12 grade students together regionally. Roughly half a dozen NICA composite teams live and ride in NWTA’s service area, and we’re always excited to cross paths with them on the trails. One of … Read More

Get Your Hands Dirty and Learn the Ropes at NWTA Trail School This Weekend!

Have you ever wondered what goes into building and maintaining the trails you love to ride? Whether you’re new to trail building or looking to level up your skills, NWTA’s Trail School is the perfect place to get started! Join us this weekend at Hagg Lake for the Trail School: Fundamentals session, where you’ll learn the basics … Read More

One Year Later: Volunteers Tackle the Hagg Lake Landslide Reroute

Written by Dan Werle, Hagg Lake LST On February 1st, seven dedicated volunteers, led by Crew Leader Charles Kim, set out to tackle a washed-out section of the Hagg Lake Loop Trail at Scoggins Valley in Gaston. This month marked the one-year anniversary of the landslide that forced the trail’s closure, making the team even more determined to complete … Read More

Advanced Trail School in Action: Solving Hagg Lake’s Water Woes

Written by Bob Carey For those who have biked or hiked the trail that circumnavigates Hagg Lake, you have probably noticed some wet, muddy, or downright sloppy sections. NWTA crews have been consistently working to address these trouble areas with Washington County since 2024. When the Trail Sustainability Institute (TSI) instructors were looking to teach an … Read More