Giving back to places you love.

Tucked away in the Blue Mountains lie countless miles of trails filled with scenic vistas, enchanting wildflowers, and a surplus of solitude. We understand that a day spent on the trail provides growth and well-being, the special types of moments that stick with you. Our commitment is clear: ensure these transformative experiences are available to all.

The trails of the Blue Mountains need our attention and care. This is where the BMLT Blues Crew steps in, a group of volunteers dedicated to enhancing the quality and accessibility of trails on public lands. Whether you’re a hiker, skier, biker, or birdwatcher, our volunteers work hard to ensure the trails are primed for outdoor pursuits for every level of fun.

We welcome anyone who wants to lend a hand for a fun and rewarding way to give back to the places you love.

Pick your playground

Since 2018, the BMLT Blues Crew has worked to improve and enhance recreational trails in the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness — a hidden gem spanning 20,299 acres in Umatilla and Union counties. With 27 miles of wilderness trails for hikers and equestrians, connected to non-wilderness biking and motorized trails, this area offers an abundance of routes for both day trips and extended adventures.

Recognizing the significance of this region, the BMLT Blues Crew, in collaboration with the Greater Hells Canyon Council, secured grant funding from the Oregon Trails Fund for 2023-2024. The main goal: provide access and enhance the North Fork Umatilla River Trail #3083 and the Corporation-Buck Tie Trail #3086, which were damaged due flooding of the area. In 2024, volunteers will build turnpikes, raised structures crafted from logs or lumber, to lift specific trail segments above wet or marshy terrain. This initiative aims to tackle persistent muddy sections and address a trail slide caused by erosion.

During the summer of 2023, per wilderness regulations prohibiting power-tool use, three BMLT Blues Crew volunteers formed a specialized ‘sawyer squad.’ A sawyer is trained and certified in using different types of saws in the backcountry, playing a crucial role in trail maintenance. Clearing fallen trees and obstacles ensures safe, accessible pathways for outdoor enthusiasts, requiring precision and adherence to safety and environmental guidelines.

Volunteers Lee Zollman, Bill Pontarolo, and Dan Long utilized crosscut and hand saws to clear downed trees along the North Fork Umatilla River trail in areas along Coyote Ridge, Buck Creek, and Lake Creek. Their efforts have paved the way for significant trail improvements planned for 2024 by the BMLT Blues Crew.

Powder days at Horseshoe Prairie

Since 2019, the Blue Mountain Land Trust’s volunteer-led trail crew has collaborated with the Umatilla National Forest to provide access to Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area. Located adjacent to the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness, the ski area offers opportunities for both Nordic skiing and snowshoeing on groomed and ungroomed trail systems. Featuring around 16 miles (26 kilometers) of marked trails, Horseshoe Prairie is the place for winter outdoor ski adventures throughout the season.

With grant support from the Oregon Recreational Trail Program, BMLT Blues volunteers have worked hard to prepare Horseshoe Prairie for the upcoming ski season. They’ve expanded the trail network, installed new directional signs and markers, and constructed a new warming hut at the intersection of Bobcat and Wagon Wheel. The new structure provides a cozy spot to warm up, rest, and share stories with other outdoor winter enthusiasts. Stay up to date on the latest snow and grooming conditions here.