Tending the Mazama Trail Mazama trail tending volunteers on the Mazama trail. Photo by Susan Brickey.
by Susan Brickey
N
ormally, the Mazama Trail work party is scheduled in late June after most of the snow is gone, but this year COVID-related delays by both the Forest Service and Mazamas postponed it until the heat of August. Still, after much communication, the work went on with additional COVID protocols and special release requirements. While we missed the avalanche lilies, a huge feature of the June work parties, we were delighted with the ripe huckleberries that replaced them as an enticement up the trail.
What is the legacy of the Mazama Trail? Last year, longtime Mazama climb and hike leader Ray Sheldon retold the story for the 125th anniversary of the Mazamas. It all started in 1994 when Mazamas members went in search of an appropriate way to celebrate the organization’s 100th anniversary. The abandoned Cathedral Ridge Trail was identified, adopted, and rebuilt. This project took four years and involved temporary shelters to house people and gear. When it was finished, the trail was renamed after our organization and a legacy was born. See "Mazama Trail Construction" (DVD) in the Mazama
Library for the full story and for images from the project. The traditional three-day work parties involve camaraderie and fun, with the common goal of clearing the trail and protecting it for another year of adventuring. Since the Dollar Lake Fire in 2011, a large part of the trail maintenance requires taking out trees that have fallen over, impeding the trail. There are two major burn areas on the trail, but in the years since the fire, huckleberries, flowers, and trees returned. One year, 75 trees fell across the trail! This year luckily only 28 needed to be cut. It's a good thing that tree removal is a favorite of work parties!
However, this job is also dangerous, and at least one leader is required to have saw certification training. Thankfully, Mazama leader Rick Pope has that certification, which allows us to host work parties consistently. Safety is key, especially in wilderness areas! Don't be discouraged if you're new the trail tending game, though. First-timers quickly learn to handle the second side of the saws. This year, new participant Andy Klumpp took his first turn on the trip and said he'd be back to help again. We're looking forward to it, Andy! Trail tending offers work for everyone. In addition to the heavy work of removing
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