This “Neo Newts” session was intended for beginners, ages 8-12, and a few actually started out as such! A couple of the kids had been in previous camps, so they had more skills. By the end, with eight signed up, all had fun and made great progress from standing confidently on their pedals, trail riding, … Read More
Twelve volunteers gathered at Hagg Lake on July 26 to continue work on an extensive trail reroute project that has been underway for several months. A major focus of the day was improving drainage along the new trail. Volunteers constructed a rock underdrain, also known as a French drain, by excavating a ditch approximately 12 … Read More
NWTA hosted the Portland Metro Composite youth mountain bike team for a group ride at Tualatin Mountain Forest (Rocky Point) on Sunday, July 19. Twenty-seven middle and high school riders and 22 volunteer coaches divided into four ride groups and tackled trails all over the north side of the Forest for roughly 2.5 hours. Trails … Read More
Each summer, NWTA hosts SHIFT (St. Helens International Festival of Trails), a weekend stewardship campout centered around trail work, mountain biking, community, and fun. 2026 marks the 16th year of this beloved event, known in its early days as Helens Fest. The tradition continues as volunteers dedicate their time, energy, and passion to maintaining these … Read More
From June 19–21, NWTA and Orogenesis Collective gathered in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest for a weekend of stewardship, community building, and trail restoration. Together, volunteers returned to the Tillicum Trail to complete work that began during last year’s campout, bringing new life to a historic trail that had gone largely unmaintained for what was … Read More
NWTA recently hosted a special “Ride with a Forester” group ride at Rocky Point Trails in the Tualatin Mountain Forest, led by Jake Barker, Oregon State University Extension Forester. The event brought riders together for a unique opportunity to experience the forest from both a recreational and ecological perspective. Throughout the ride, Jake guided participants … Read More
Northwest Trail Alliance held its annual Stewardship Campout at Coldwater Lake, just north of Mount St. Helens, the weekend of June 5th–7th. Each year, this event coincides with National Trails Day, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by giving some much-needed TLC to some truly unique trails. In collaboration with … Read More
Vestal Elementary at Montavilla Community Center and Grout Elementary For spring term ’26, the NWTA paired up again with the SUN Program and Portland Parks and Rec to offer a six-session series of afterschool programming for ten to twelve 3rd-5th graders at each school. Both programs have been limited to 10 kids, and both programs … Read More
For many people, the first step toward becoming a trail steward isn’t picking up a McLeod. It’s simply spending time outdoors, riding a bike, and discovering why these places matter. That spirit was on full display at Chehalem Ridge Nature Park on May 30, when Northwest Trail Alliance partnered with Adelante Mujeres, a Forest Grove … Read More
When I joined up with ten or so fellow NWTA members at our first “Ride with an Ecologist” event at Powell Butte this past Wednesday, it wasn’t my first time at Southeast Portland’s enormous Nature Park. I’ve cleaned drains and brushed along its lower east-side trails at NWTA dig days, where the huge firs give … Read More