11 NOVEMBER 2025 | LAKE OF THE WOODS, OR. - This past weekend, staff members Trevor Meyer and Cole Boback led a small crew of volunteers into the Fremont-Winema National Forest. Their goal was to clear winter trails in anticipation of the upcoming snow season. "It took a village, hard work, and some heavy equipment," he says, noting that the crew likely cleared "hundreds of logs" over the four-day trip. Among those contributing were members of the Klamath Trails Alliance, the Chiloquin Ridge Ridgers, Klamath Basin Snowdrifters, and, of course, members of Siskiyou Mountain Club.
First, they tackled a rough section along the Diamond Lake Trail, an impressive 200-mile route that connects Diamond Lake to Lake of the Woods. They started at the Cold Springs Trailhead, just outside the Sky Lakes Wilderness boundary, and worked towards Rock Creek. Next, they switched gears to the Buffalo Meadows Trail. Though the crew only had one day to begin work here, they hope to return in the future. Damage left by the 2017 Pelican Fire presented further challenges.
The canopy-level burn means that deadfall is very frequent. Some trails therefore require a more aggressive maintenance cycle than those in unburned areas. Veteran's day weekend was one of the last chances in 2025 for the community to gather and contribute significant maintenance to Rock Creek and Buffalo Meadows. Within a month's time, these trails will be covered in snow and enjoyed by snowmobilers, snowshoers, and nordic skiers.
Meyer felt especially lucky to have such nice conditions for the work trip. Having avoided the high winds of this week, and the precipitation of the previous week, it was "the best weather imaginable," given the time of year. We hope to continue work in these areas, working alongside various partner organizations and volunteers. Stay tuned for more trips like this in 2026! Keep updated here on social media by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
Photos by Trevor Meyer and River Barzoloski
