Proposed Changes to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

The Trails Club of Oregon Board of Trustees are proposing to transition the club to a 501(c)3 tax classification. This requires changes to both the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws. Look for the text of the proposed changes on our web site: https://trailsclub.org/bylaws/. These changes will be voted on at the Annual Meeting on November 17.

The Articles of Incorporation reflect the requirements for a 501(c)(3) organization.
The new bylaws are brief compared to the current bylaws as they contain the elements of the Club’s governance that will rarely change. The elements of the current bylaws that are subject to frequent change will be contained in a Practices and Policies document. The Practices and Policies document can be changed by a Board vote.

Vice President Trustee Needed

There is an opening for the board position of Vice President for the 2025-2026 term. The commitment for Vice President is to attend the monthly zoom board meetings.
This is a great way to serve the club with minimal responsibilities, be a voting club officer, and see the inner workings of the club.

Outdoor Education and Outreach Trustee Needed

There is an opening for the board position of Outdoor Education and Outreach Trustee for the 2025-2026 term.

Please contact the nominating committee chair Julia Carroll at juliamace1993@gmail.com

Check the Trails Club of Oregon website calendar for up-to-date event listings.

Come enjoy a weekend of hard work and good food.
Host: Linda Conrad

Host: Lori Leach

This is a holiday weekend. Winterize Nesika Lodge November 8-11.  Gate will open on Friday November 8 at 6PM sharp.

Private reservation for troop 396.

 

Tyee is open. Pre-Thanksgiving Celebration
Host: Paul Cutter

Host cooks the turkey(s), you bring  potluck dish of your choosing. Dinner at 2pm.

We will vote on updated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws in order to become a 501(c)(3).
See: https://trailsclub.org/bylaws/
Tentative location is the Boy Scout Building @ 2-4 pm.

Lodge work parties have been scheduled. There is no charge for meals and overnight stays for work party participants. Check the Trails Club of Oregon website calendar for dates.

At this time, there are work parties scheduled.
Nesika on November 1-3.
Nesika on November 8-11.

New Full Members:

Mary Schroder
Steve Schroder

Surprise and Warm Lakes, in the Eastern Goat Rocks Wilderness 9/24-26, 2024

Having hiked the west side of the Goat Rocks on several previous occasions, I have long wished to explore the “back” side of these beautiful mountains. With good weather and clean air in the forecast, an opportunity finally presented itself on September 24-26 for a three-day adventure. Two experienced backpackers (Emiko and Abraham) and I made the long drive up from Portland to the Conrad Meadows TH, and headed out across the expansive Conrad Meadows on a pleasant, sunny afternoon. The trail meandered a bit at first, but was in good condition and relatively easy to follow using GAIA-GPS. After about 1.5 miles we entered the forest, crossed a couple of streams on somewhat dilapidated bridges, and eventually climbed up switchbacks to scenic Surprise Lake at 6.7 miles/1300′ from the TH. There, we found ample campsites, and in contrast to the busy west-side camping areas such as Snowgrass Flats, absolutely no one else to be seen! Most of the lake was surrounded by forest, but there were good views of Mt. Curtis Gilbert and its surrounding peaks to be found on the south shore of the lake.

The next morning we awoke to clear skies and set forth to explore Warm Lake and the high country at the foot of the eastern Goat Rocks. After leaving Surprise Lake, the trail ascended through mixed woods and meadows to an unmarked but obvious trail junction about a mile from the lake. We took the left fork and ascended, steeply at times, eventually traversing to the top of a rocky slope where views of the Goat Rocks really began to open up. Continuing on the trail for another 100 yards, a small but obvious trail to the southwest was taken, through patchy woodlands and meadows, to some of the most remarkable scenery I have experienced anywhere in the northwest. Huge, expansive meadows opening up to grand views of the entire Goat Rocks range greeted us, with steep rocky summits and icy glaciers hanging above the abyss. My hiking companions, who have traveled extensively, compared it to being it the Dolomites of Italy.

We made it up to Warm Lake (3 miles/1100′ above Surprise Lake), where we stopped to admire the views and have lunch, not wanting to ever leave this beautiful place. However, the wind picked up and some dark clouds began building above the Goat Rocks crest, so we reluctantly made our way back down to our camp at Surprise Lake, arriving just as the raindrops began to fall. The late afternoon and evening brought us steady rain, lasting until the sky finally cleared somewhere around midnight. We awoke to a starry sky and the sound of two owls hooting in the trees at daybreak, broke camp and made our way back down to the car and the drive home.

I have backpacked for many years, but this adventure turned out to be one of the most remarkable I have ever done. The scenery was unsurpassed, and made all the more remarkable by the absence of the crowds only a few miles away on the west side of the mountains. I hope to repeat this trip again next year, so that others can experience it as well.

Tom Thrall

Photo: Craig Gwydir - Trail clearing near Nesika

Photo: Nicole Rogers - view from Bickel's Point

Photo: Craig Gwydir - Nesika meal

Photo: Sheryl Wagner - Tyee game room mural

Bull Run Powerhouse Tour

The viewpoint near Nesika is called Bickel's Point for an early Trails Club President.
It is where Waespe's wall was built.
These photos are from 2011, before the 2017 fire.

Waespe Point

Waespe Point from Bickel's Point

View of Bickel's Point (zoom in to see the chain railing)

Plaque on the wall at Bickel's Point

Trails Club of Oregon Board Meeting Minutes
Date: October 8, 2024 Time: 7:00-9:00 PM Location: zoom

Attendees:
President:          Bev Drottar
Vice President: Jennifer Samuels
Treasurer:         Nicole Rogers
Secretary:         Rebecca Knudeson
Publications:     Joel Reitz
Membership:     Lori Leach
Tyee Trustee:    Paul Cutter
Nesika Trustee: Pete Recksiek
Trips Trustee:    Craig Gwydir
Social Trustee:  Vacant
Absent:              None

REGULAR BUSINESS
Minutes were approved by email prior to the Blazer publication.
Treasurer’s Report, Nicole
Beginning Balance, 9/30:    $12,007.56
Checks and Payment:             1,606.03
Deposits and Credits:                 976.01
Cleared Balance:                   11,377.54
Complete reports can be found by the Board in Dropbox.
2025 Budget Building: Nicole has included a budget breakout at the same Dropbox location noted above that includes expense history to help us prepare our 2025 budget. Please review for next month's meeting.
The most current Fidelity statement value is $457,643.
Lodge Key Application: We received $20 and application from Nora Tanner for a Nesika key.

Membership Report, Lori
First Readings:
    Jimmy Leach, Sponsored by Eric Zimmerman and Pete Recksiek
    Susan Gillespie, Sponsored by Trisha Schultz and Nicole Rogers
Second Readings approved unanimously:
    Mary Schroder, Sponsored by Bruce Seymour and Nicole Rogers
    Steve Schroder, Sponsored by Bruce Seymour and Nicole Rogers
Total Membership, 10/8/24: 266
8 Golden, 3 Junior, 34 Life, 2 Life/Golden, 13 Provisional, 206 Regular

Publications Report, Joel
Joel did last month’s Blazer. We’re not sure about the new editor.

Nesika Report, Pete
A volunteer weekend was hosted by Pete Recksiek and Trisha Schultz on 9/6-8. Trisha and Nina cooked for 16 volunteers. Jerry Manuel constructed a workbench for the basement. Jeff Lawton repaired the propane shed lid. Many worked on clearing trails and roads. Craig Gwydir hung signs for The Point and High Water Trail. They were made to Forest Service specs. The basement of dorm was cleaned and organized. Lynn Cochran and David Bogardus planned and mapped electrical wiring. The bridge was repaired in October by Eric and Carl. Several members were trained to open and close the lodge. No funds were collected as it was a work weekend.

Tyee Report, Paul
September was a slow month with only one work party. Firewood for the winter was brought in. The games room remodel continued. Last Friday the mural was completed by Sheryl Wagner and the floor completed by Lori Leech and Paul. Monday, the lean-to was started by Richard Gaunt and Paul. The second and final work-in-lieu litter pickup was completed at Old Maid Flats through to Ramona Falls trailhead. There were six volunteers, an ideal number for 3 hours. We received a visit from Cate Dillion, the Forest Service permit coordinator. Paul learned that the Oregon Contractual rate has been increased to $34.57/hr. Therefore, our May and September litter pickup values have increased by another $200. It is important to maintain this partnership with the Forest Service if the club wishes to keep the annual permit fee as close as possible to the $300 minimum. We will have maintenance done on the furnace on
alternate years staring next fall.

Trips Report, Craig
We had 1 day hike, 1 backpack and the Wednesday night conditioning hikes during the month of September. The "TCO Hike Leaders Zoom Meeting" is starting up again in October after being suspended during the summer. The trail restoration committee has named themselves the "TCO Stormy Trails Restoration Committee" and the following trail work was completed this last month around Nesika Lodge: - Cougar Rock trail was brushed out again - trail is clear - High Water trail was brushed out - trail is clear - Ornament Trail was brushed out - trail is clear - Nesika/Franklin connector has been partially restored from the Nesika Lodge side. Work is about 60% complete. The remaining work shall hopefully be completed during the November work party at Nesika Lodge, weather permitting.
Please email tripschair@trailsclub.org if you are interested in assisting with trail restoration. We need more volunteers who would like to learn about interesting adventures on the Multnomah Plateau and are willing to help co-lead hikes and/or join a TCO trips planning committee. If interested, please join our "TCO Hike Leaders Meeting" on Zoom this month, or send questions to tripschair@trailsclub.org.

Social Report, Vacant

Nomination Committee, Julia Carroll via email:
Notifications have been placed in the Blazer highlighting the open positions for Social and VP. No one has reached out to inquire more about these positions. Julia has not been able to follow up further. However, Lori Leach has offered to co-host a Meetup for members to connect and learn more about serving on the Board, etc. A possible date is for this meetup is 10/23/24.

Outdoor Education and Outreach Committee, Julia Carroll via email:
We met on 10/7/24 via Zoom. Attendees: Julia Carroll, Chris Seubert and Lori Leach. Chris submitted a full annual report of his activity. Julia will add her activity to the report and submit it for the Annual Meeting in November of 2024. We plan to continue volunteering with the organizations we've connected with this year: Sierra Club, Inspiring Connections Outdoors, Big Brothers Big Sisters, People of Color PDX and Wild Diversity. Lori shared that the Social Trustee position will change to the Outdoor Education Trustee. Julia shared the foundational document with Lori that outlines the focus of the DEI/Outdoor Education Committee since 2022. At this time there is not another meeting scheduled for this committee.

OLD BUSINESS
1. 501(c)3 Status: Lori, Rebecca, & Bev
Lori has been working hard with some support from Bev & Rebecca, to rewrite all our founding
documents, bringing in ideas from our sister clubs who have already converted to non-profit status, and to preserve the essential structures of our current bylaws, and policies. We worked through the Bylaws to fine tune them. The Board moved and seconded to present our restated Articles of Incorporation and the new Bylaws to the membership at the annual meeting for a vote. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Trisha Schultz attended the FWOC annual meeting on November 17, 2024.
Website content updates –can be found at www.federationofwesternoutdoorclubs.org
3. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Boy Scout Office on 11/17/24 at 2 PM.

NEW BUSINESS
1. Dogs attending work parties. (Nicole)
We discussed a policy about dogs for the lodges. At Tyee, dogs have to stay outside since there are carpets and upholstered furniture. It’s more of a problem at Nesika when the doors are open during the summer months. We decided to ask registrants to register their dog when attending an event at Nesika.
Craig, Nicole, Paul and Pete will work on a further policy for lodges and hikes.

2. The Board has a budget worksheet to help all departments with 2025 budget planning. We will finalize the budget in next month’s meeting.

3. We need to publish an announcement of the annual meeting, and link to the new document changes for voting.

Adjorned at 9:27
Next meeting, Nov. 12, zoom
Submitted by Rebecca Knudeson, Secretary

President
@TrailsClub.org

VicePres
@TrailsClub.org

Secretary
@TrailsClub.org

Treasurer
@TrailsClub.org

NesikaChair
@TrailsClub.org

TyeeChair
@TrailsClub.org

MembershipChair@TrailsClub.org

PublicationChair@TrailsClub.org

SocialChair
@TrailsClub.org

TripsChair
@TrailsClub.org

 

For activities such as bicycle, snowshoe, and XC skiing check with the leaders for the difficulty level. Good equipment for the specific activity is required for all events. For hikes, snowshoes:

Harsh conditions may increase the exertion and skill required; be prepared. Contact the trip leader if you have any questions and to let him or her know that you will be attending. Bring the 10 Essentials and please, no alcohol. Pets allowed on designated trips only. 

Stay with the group and follow the leader. The leader is responsible for the group's safety. The leader determines which route is taken. The leader has authority to determine if a participant is prepared for the activity. Group safety must come first.

There is no charge to Trails Club members for day activities; non-members pay $2. Please contribute to any carpooling expenses at the rate of $.20 per mile. With multiple riders the driver can collect up to $.50 per mile shared by all the riders. Other fees may apply. 

If you have RSVP'd for an activity at a lodge involving food expense and are unable to participate, you are obligated to do one of the following: Cancel before the food is purchased, find someone to take your place, or pay for your share of the food. 

All activities must be approved by the appropriate activity coordinator or the Trips Trustee.

Published monthly by the

Organized 1915                            Incorporated 1923

Member of the Federation of Western Outdoors Clubs (FWOC)

Electronic subscripton is included with membership.
Send address changes and club correspondence to:
Membership@TrailsClub.org or the address above.

The purpose of the Trails Club is to foster and stimulate interest in hiking, climbing, skiing, camping and
other similar outdoor activities and to promote activities of a social nature for the benefit of its members.
The Club’s interests and concerns are conservation of natural beauty and resources of the country.
All Club activities are affected by the voluntary participation of the members.
Membership requirements include an approved outdoor activity, a scheduled lodge visit, recommendations by two members within a one-year period, approval by the Board of Trustees, and payment of $50 in dues and a $15 entrance fee. 

Usually first Tuesday of the month when the date is at least the 4th, 7:00pm, over Zoom.
See the calendar on the TCO website for the link if you wish to attend.
Contact the President prior to a meeting if you have an issue to bring to the board. 

Our website (TrailsClub.org) is the official site for club events and information.
There is also a Trails Club Meetup site that allows event planners to organize TCO events online, and
publicize these events to a wider audience (Meetup.com/Trails-Club-ofOregon/events/).
However, all events posted on the TCO Meetup site should be added to our TCO website as well.
While we try to get every event in the Trail Blazer and on the Trails Club website (www.trailsclub.org), some events, especially those planned on short notice, may not appear in The Blazer.
Use the Calendar menu item for a listing of events.
Registration on the website is not required to view the events.
Also: All may use the Payment menu item on our website to pay your membership dues.
You can pay for all members in a household in one transaction. 

Send write-ups to: Blazer@TrailsClub.org
Submissions are due by the fifteenth of the month prior to publication.
Trail Blazer Editor: Lee Ko
Send pictures, new events, corrections and anything else for the
Trails Club of Oregon website to: webmaster@TrailsClub.org