President's Corner
Brushing Brigade: Clearing the Path for All to Enjoy
The Central Oregon Nordic Club (CONC) is actively working to keep our beloved Deschutes National Forest trails accessible! As Sue Sullivan mentioned in May, we've teamed up with Sawyers with Attitude to Spare (SWATS) and Friends of the Central Cascades Wilderness (FCCW) to form the Brushing Brigade.
This dedicated group of volunteers tackles overgrown trails by lopping back shrubs and tree limbs—a vital task known as "brushing." Anyone who's tried to navigate a trail consumed by snowbrush or mature manzanita knows how quickly a path can disappear. With federal resources for public land stewardship declining, the Brushing Brigade's efforts are more critical than ever. We're incredibly proud of our CONC members for stepping up to ensure these beautiful trails remain open for everyone to enjoy.
Edison Sno-Park: Rebuilding for Winter
Good news for winter enthusiasts! Board Members Sue Sullivan, John Fertig, Gary Elnan, and I recently met with Casey Andrews of the Deschutes National Forest (DNF) to discuss the future of the Edison Sno-Park ski and snowshoe trails, which were impacted by last year's Bachelor Complex Fires.
The DNF is eager to see these trails reestablished, and CONC has committed to leading the recovery efforts in preparation for the upcoming winter season. Our plan includes installing trail signs and assurance markers on the affected ski and snowshoe trails. Unfortunately, the Snowshoe Long Loop will not be practical to recover at this time. We'll be using plastic assurance markers initially. This cost-effective approach will allow us to evaluate the user experience over the next couple of seasons before deciding on a long-term strategy for the trails. Discussions regarding the replacement of the Edison Shelter are still ongoing.
As always, I encourage you to reach out with any questions, comments, or suggestions you may have. You can contact me directly at wppreston@yahoo.com.
Happy Trails!
Warren Preston
President
