Volunteers, partners to help BLM build trailhead
The Prineville BLM will be getting a major boost from the community on Friday and Saturday at the new Tumalo Canal Historic Area Trailhead.
Area neighbors, trail runners, and members of equestrian groups like Oregon Equestrian Trails will be joined by employees from the Prineville BLM for two intense days of trailhead construction and development. This family-friendly work party will run from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm each day.
The basic site plan for the Historic Tumalo Canal Trailhead has been completed, including road improvements, two parking areas with room for horse trailers, and a restroom.
During the work days, volunteers will begin installing a juniper rail fence and rock path to define the edge of the parking area. Other work includes putting up signs, raking out tracks from old vehicle use and helping with fencing in some other areas.
No RSVP is needed, and volunteers are asked to bring gloves, water, and their own lunch.
The Tumalo Canal Historic Area (TCHA) is one of the trail groups (Maston , Central Motorized, Tumalo) that are part of the Cline Buttes Recreation Area. It is located south of private lands on the southern butte, between Cline Falls Highway and Barr Road.
Most of the TCHA was designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern in 2005 to protect, preserve and interpret the old irrigation canals that are part of a much larger system developed in the early 1900s to help with land sales and settlement in Central Oregon.
When complete, the area will include trails for hikers, bikers and equestrian users. In addition, the area will have hiking-only trails within the ACEC boundary located on the relic canals and trails that use either existing roads or new trail construction to form loops or reach high points for scenic views. A trail crossing is also proposed to allow non-motorized trail users to cross Cline Falls Highway between the Tumalo Historic Area and the Maston Area.
The TCHA can be reached by turning west from Cline Falls Hwy on Barr Road, then travelling about 1.5 miles north on Barr Road to the existing parking area.
For more information about the TCHA and the Cline Buttes Recreation Area, please contact the Prineville BLM at (541) 416-6700 or online at: http://blm.gov/xbmd
