Adventure starts here.
The Blue Mountains are home to countless miles of trails, filled with scenic vistas, beautiful wildflowers, and a surplus of solitude. We understand that a day spent on the trail provides growth, perspective, and a whole lot of grit.
The trails of the Blue Mountains need attention and care. From the jagged Elkhorns in Eastern Oregon to the river trails outside of Dayton, WA, the BMLT Blues Crew volunteers are dedicated to improving trails on public lands. Whether you’re a hiker, skier, biker, or birdwatcher, our volunteers work hard to ensure the trails are primed for every level of outdoor pursuits.
We welcome anyone with a passion for these mountains to lend a hand for a fun and rewarding way to give back to the places you love.
Wilderness Revival
Since 2018, the BMLT Blues Crew has worked to improve and enhance recreational trails in the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness — a recreation 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.
The BMLT Blues Crew, Greater Hells Canyon Council, Umatilla National Forest, and the Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) collaborated this past spring to repair and improve sections of trail damaged by 2020 floods. The Northwest Youth Corps consists of college students and tribal high school students. Working with groups like NYC multiplies our efforts and gives us space to learn from the next generation.
Over four intensive work weeks in the backcountry, crews carefully tackled various trail improvement and construction efforts. Tasks included rerouting sections of the trail and constructing essential infrastructure, including a 60-foot turnpike and a log bridge to reconnect trail access across Coyote Creek.
Teams extracted and transported tons of rocks, categorizing them by size for specific trail improvements (all done by hand due to wilderness restrictions). The project aims to repair trails, prevent future erosion, enhance drainage, and restore safety following flood damage.
Together, the crews improved and restored access to this popular trail network for countless hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Thank you to all our partners and volunteers for their incredible efforts in creating safer and more accessible outdoor spaces for everyone.
This project was made possible with support from the Oregon Trails Fund by Travel Oregon administered in partnership with USFS.
“The BMLT Blues Crew is a connected group of individuals bringing their skills and passion to create and rebuild recreational trails in our region.”
- Greg Brown, BMLT Blues Crew Founder
Meet Larry Wachtel:
BMLT Blues Crew develops new sawyer training
“See Something, Say Something!” BMLT Blues Crew Lead Sawyer C-Instructor/Evaluator Larry Wachtel knows that shared group observation and wisdom keep people safe in the woods. Since 2021, BMLT Blues Crew has partnered with Back Country Horsemen of Washington (BCHW) to offer our volunteers a USDA Forest Service-accredited Sawyer Training Program. Larry has over 50 years of experience using a chainsaw, making him an expert C-certified advanced sawyer who can independently buck and limb any size material in highly complex situations. Larry generously donates his time and knowledge to train and certify sawyers in both the classroom and in the field. He has traveled hundreds of miles to training sites in remote corners of Washington and Oregon to learn and to teach, including most recently partnering with the Wallowa Whitman Hell’s Canyon Trails Association (WMHCTA), certifying crosscut sawyers in the Lostine River Canyon.
The USFS Sawyer Training Program “Developing Thinking Sawyers” is designed to give all sawyers critical knowledge of OHLEC, a framework for accomplishing the work efficiently and safely. The top BMLT Blues Crew objectives are to come home unharmed and to clear the trail for all users, the ‘O’ in OHLEC. ‘H’ represents hazards, as sawyer work can be dangerous with heavy logs. ‘L’ refers to observing leans and binds that influence cutting actions. ‘E’ emphasizes having an escape route to stay safe when things start moving. ‘C’ is the Cut Plan, an evolving and unfolding process where everyone on the team gets a voice, not just the expert sawyers. “See Something, Say Something” isn’t just a slogan but a BMLT Blues Crew principle. Larry Wachtel encourages it in every class, every team, and every volunteer, leading with integrity, encouragement, and cheer.
Trail Transformations
Celebrating National Public Lands Day with Whitman College Outdoor Program
National Public Lands Day offers a chance to celebrate and give back by joining local efforts to enhance public lands, including trails, parks, and natural areas. In celebration, volunteers from the BMLT Blues Crew and the Whitman College Outdoor Program gathered at Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area for an impactful trail work party to prepare for the upcoming winter season. Together, they focused on improving the Red Fox Racetrack, a one-mile loop designed for Nordic skiing.
With enthusiasm and teamwork, the Sawyer team and volunteers cleared stumps, brushed tree limbs, and installed trail markers and signage for the upcoming winter season. Their hard work not only improved the trail’s accessibility but also created a sense of community among participants.
We can improve and provide safe access to public lands through collective action. Thank you to everyone who contributed their time and effort to make this day successful — your dedication truly makes a difference!
Photos by Sarah Todorovich
BMLT Blues Crew volunteers groom Horseshoe Prairie. Photograph by Isaac Baik
Ski at Horseshoe Prairie
Since 2019, the volunteer-led BMLT Blues Crew has partnered with the Umatilla National Forest to provide access to the Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area. Nestled adjacent to the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness, this area offers a variety of Nordic skiing and snowshoeing opportunities across both groomed and ungroomed trails.
With approximately 16 miles (26 kilometers) of marked and unmarked paths, Horseshoe Prairie is the unique destination for winter outdoor adventures. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the BMLT Blues Crew, this once-overlooked winter recreation area has undergone significant improvements, including enhanced trails and signage. With over 6,340+ total volunteer hours invested, they have transformed Horseshoe Prairie into a cross-country skiing and snowshoeing spot in the Blue Mountain region.
Every winter season, the BMLT Blues Crew plays a vital role in the ongoing care of Horseshoe Prairie. Due to shifting snow levels and conditions, volunteers consistently clear trails, install signs and maps, and mark routes with blue diamonds to aid navigation throughout the trail network. They also assess and groom the trails each week to ensure they remain in top condition for outdoor enthusiasts.
The BMLT Blues Crew created a diverse trail network suitable for all skill levels, including the beginner-friendly Tenderfoot Trail, located conveniently next to the parking lot at Andie’s Prairie. Embrace the beauty of winter, stay active, and enjoy the great outdoors this season.
Stay up to date on the latest snow and grooming conditions here.
A gathering place
Blues Crew warming hut @HSP
Thanks to grant funding from the Oregon Recreational Trails Program, BMLT Blues Crew volunteers have expanded the trail network, improved maps and signage, and constructed a new warming hut. This important new addition provides a welcoming destination for skiers and snowshoers, offering a place to warm up, relax, and connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
What makes this place special is the genuine sense of community it creates. Whether you’re a skier or a snowshoer, the warming hut offers a chance to enjoy the outdoors while connecting with others who share the same passion. It is a great spot to take a break, share stories, and meet new people, making each visit feel more like a gathering than just a solo outing. It’s the type of welcoming atmosphere that draws people back throughout the season.
Want to join the fun and volunteer? Sign up today.