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 our president at president@trailsclub.org

Check the Trails Club of Oregon website calendar for up-to-date event listings.
Click on the Details Icon for a link to the event.

Leader: John

 

Leader: John

Host: Pete Recksiek

Leader: Craig Gwydir

Leader: TBD

Leader: Rebecca

Leader: Rebecca

Provisional Member:
Paul Dragulin

First Readings:
Gabriella Tomei—Sponsored by Ben Levy and Lori Leach
Nicolle Mecha—Sponsored by Glen Conrad and Sylvia Ashley
Bill Sherwin—Sponsored by Glen Conrad and Sylvia Ashley
Jesse Duarte—Sponsored by Pete Recksiek and Jerry Manuel

New Full Members:
Patty Toland—Sponsored by Sheryl Wagner and Lori Leach
Rebecca Sexton—Sponsored by Helen Wang and Pete Recksiek

Walter Eric Garvin

Walt was born March 19,1932 in Gold Beach OR, to Doyle and Amanda Garvin. Walt passed away on March 15, 2025, just four days before he would have been 93. 

 Walt is survived by his wife of 69 years, Pat and 5 children, Carol, Roger (Robin), Theresa (Bryan), Lou Ann (Neal), and Barbara (Jojo).  Walt has 13 grandchildren and soon to be, 24 great grandchildren.

Walt grew up with his 3 brothers on a dairy farm on the southern Oregon Coast. He had stints in the Army and logging before going to Oregon Institute of Technology to gain his degree in mechanical engineering. He worked for many years in the electronic industry as it was established in Oregon. He loved to solve problems and develop creative solutions. 

 He found great joy in spending time outdoors with others. Many miles were spent hiking, backpacking and camping.  He served as vice president and as lodge trustee for the Trails Club, he lead many backpacks to the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, as well as car camping trips together with Leonard Murphy. His pride and joy were the 500 acres of timberland that he co-owned with Pat and the children. He spent endless hours trekking the property, building a “chateau”, planting trees and watching the wildlife that inhabited this special place.

Gardening and woodworking were his hobbies that kept him going. He spent many hours in the Rose Villa woodshop and always grew a big garden to share produce with friends and neighbors.

A Memorial service will be held at Rosevilla in the PAC at 1:00 on July 26th .         Please send donations in memory of Walt Garvin to Forest Forever, Inc for Hopkin Demonstration Forest at P O Box 1320 Oregon City, Or 97045

https://www.waudsfuneralservice.com/obituaries/walter-garvin-2/#!/TributeWall

Note: Ken was a Club Trustee and Campers Outings committee chair. He also helped build the Marmac Trail at Nesika.

From the January 1959 Trail Blazer:

The Ken Martins, Ken and Barbara Martin and their three girls, Barbie, Gina, and Susan, have been missing since Sunday, December 7, when they went looking for a Christmas tree and greens for the Holiday season.

Since first reports initiated a wide-spread search over the Northern quarter of Oregon, literally thousands of persons have taken part in looking for the missing Martin family. Appreciation and amazement on the wonderful cooperation and response is heartfelt by those helping conduct the search.

The Bonneville Adm., Departments of Agriculture an Forestry, the P. G. E. Cp., have all alerted their employees and trucks to be on watch for any signs of the Martins and to report in detail anything unusual they find.

For information and assignment to areas in which to continue to search, call Ed Lenz, MI 4-4790, or contact the Sheriff's Office. The search will be continued until they are found, and areas to be covered will depend on clues discovered.

From the February 1959 Trail Blazer:

The Board has received a most complete and report from Ed and Doroty Lenz summarizing the Trails Club part in the Martin search. Ed was asked by the President to take charge of coordinating search efforts of T.C. members. The many hours devoted to this task by Ed and Dorothy and the degree of cooperation achieved between the several Sheriffs' offices and the T.C. searchers warrant the thanks of club members.

In the report is mentioned the many offers to assist in search from both men and women members; the fine cooperation of Sheriffs Francis Lambert and Joe Shobe, their Deputies and Sergeants; the help from Virginia Stangell in making telephone calls; and the Lenz' appreciation to all who participated in the search.

The full report is on file with the Secretary and may be seen by any member wishing to read it.

Thank you, Ed and Dorothy, for your efforts.

For recent news coverage:

https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/december-marks-65-years-since-portland-family-disappearance/article_cac6a08e-a117-11ee-a684-33ffe0eb092b.html

https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/martin-family-disappearance-a-66-year-cold-case-revisited-with-local-diver-s-evidence/article_d32b4d5c-fe49-11ef-a802-cbb9dfb8afcb.html

https://apnews.com/article/missing-oregon-family-car-found-f836881364b67c816c8883766a75c8c5

Camp Namanu is over 100 years old and is located on the Sandy River just north of Sandy where the Bull Run River enters the Sandy River. Camp Namanu has been in the news recently as they have a funding appeal to stay open.

Mr. Potter read a letter from Mrs. F.E. Danzer, Chairman of the Trips Committee of the Trails Club or Oregon asking for permission for 15-25 members of their club to go to Camp Namanu on October 30. The committee felt that this would be a responsible group and that it might be good public relations to let then do this. It was moved (Mr. Laughlin), seconded (Mrs. Shanks) that the Trails Club be allowed to use the trails at camp but not the other facilities with the stipulation that they register o a guest list.

Photo: Dolores Niebergall - Pub Talk

Photo:Craig Gwydir - High Water Trail

Photo: Craig Gwydir - Trail Clearing

Photo: Dolores Niebergall - Deschutes River backpack

Photo: Dolores Niebergall - Deschutes River backpack camp

Trails Club of Oregon Board Meeting Minutes
Date: March 11, 2025 Time: 7:00-9:00 PM Location: zoom

Attendees:
President:                                Bev Drottar
Vice President:                        Eric Zimmerman
Treasurer:                                Nicole Rogers
Secretary:                                Rebecca Knudeson
Publications:                            Joel Reitz
Tyee Trustee:                           Paul Cutter
Nesika Trustee:                        Pete Recksiek
Trips Trustee:                           Craig Gwydir
Outdoor Ed/Outreach Trustee: Vacant

Absent:
Membership:                             Lori Leach

REGULAR BUSINESS
Minutes were approved by email prior to the Blazer publication.

Treasurer’s Report, Nicole

Beginning Balance, 2 /28 :  $11,330.94
Checks and Payment:                420.00
Deposits and Credits:              1,965.66
Cleared Balance:                   12,876.80

Comprehensive reports for February financials can be found at: Monthly Treasurer's Reports -
Dropbox
The most current Fidelity statement value is $460,578.
We received payment from Nancy Schmidt for a Tyee key. She was given a key, but we don’t
know that we’ve received a form from her. Joel will search it on the website.
Five new membership applications were uploaded on 3/7/25 to: Membership Applications -
Dropbox

Membership Report, Lori via email
Provisional: Paul Dragulin
First Readings:
Gabriella Tomei—Sponsored by Ben Levy and Lori Leach
Nicolle Mecha—Sponsored by Glen Conrad and Sylvia Ashley
Bill Sherwin—Sponsored by Glen Conrad and Sylvia Ashley
Jesse Duarte—Sponsored by Pete Recksiek and Jerry Manuel
Second Readings, approved unanimously:
Patty Toland—Sponsored by Sheryl Wagner and Lori Leach
Rebecca Sexton—Sponsored by Helen Wang and Pete Recksiek

Membership Summary 3/11/2025

Total: 9 Golden, 2 Junior, 32 Life, 3 Life/Golden, 18 Provisional, 161 Regular

Publications Report, Joel
Nothing to report

Nesika Report, Pete
2/15/25 Pete Recksiek hosted a rainy, slushy weekend with 4 guests.
2/16/25 Dolores Niebergall led a day hike to the lodge with 2 guests. Snowshoes were
required on the Basin Road and microspikes on the Mult. Creek Trail.
3/3/25 Ken Potter and Dave Lechter drove in with no snow on the road but had to cut through
8 fallen trees. They retrieved Dave’s truck with no problems. They also reported that a large
bonfire had been burned outside the main gate on Larch Mountain Rd. which left a lot of nails
directly in front of the gate. Note: avoid the large, blackened areas where people lit fires (there
are several outside the gate on each side of the road.) Each one has many nails in them.
3/8/25 Pete Recksiek hosted a balmy weekend with 10 guests, accessible by road. Bob
Walker attempted to repair the tractor by draining the fuel and disassembling and cleaning the
fuel lines. It did not start despite the effort. A knowledgeable diesel mechanic must be brought
in. Two fire extinguishers were inspected and replaced, 2 more were brought home by Pete to
be inspected and returned. (We have 4, 2 in the lodge, 1 in the dorm, 1 to be installed in the
generator shack.) One fire extinguisher was installed in the dorm. Two CO/smoke detectors
were installed, 1 in the lodge and 1 in the dorm. Pete is looking at various tractors for purchase
or donation.

Tyee Report, Paul
The lodge continued with much activity after the brief closure in late January due to septic
issues. The lodge was opened on Weds through Sunday with 15 Scouts and 5 adults over
the weekend period. The “Kids are Free” weekend was also successful. Thanks to Linda
Conrad for hosting.
Fortunately Paul had predicted another basement flooding doing the major thaw on the
weekend of 2/21 and 22. At 11 PM on the Saturday night, he was able to start collecting the
water as it came through the wood chute. He had little sleep that night, up at 1AM, 2:30 AM
and again at 4:30 to empty the buckets and mop the overflow. This flooding is an ongoing
problem when the ground is frozen and it rains hard and/or the snow melts . The concrete by
wood chute may have become porous. Although he has a few possible solutions to this
problem, he will be seeking constructive ideas.
As mentioned last month, the Forest Service has our numbers for Tyee’s use. We are waiting
for the 2024 bill.

Trips Report, Craig
In the month of February, there were 3 TCO day hikes. There was also a TCO Trip Leaders
online ZOOM meeting. The TCO Stormy Trails Committee cleared debris from the Cougar Rock Trail and The Nesika/Franklin Ridge Connector Trail. Work has begun on clearing the
Multnomah Basin Cutoff Trail.
Please email tripschair@trailsclub.org if you are interested in assisting with trail work, including
trail scouting, restoration and maintenance.
Call for help: If you are interested in learning about adventures on the Multnomah Plateau and
willing to help co-lead hikes and/or join a TCO trips planning committee, please join our "TCO
Hike Leaders Meeting" this month or send questions to tripschair@trailsclub.org.

Outdoor Ed and Outreach, vacant
Board level trustee is needed! If you want to know more about this position, please contact
president@trailsclub.org

Leave No Trace Committee, Dolores via email
• We have publicized the March 12th Pub Talk and are looking for Portland area venues
to host talks. Please email LeaveNoTrace@TrailsClub.org if you have suggestions for
locations or if you can host a Leave No Trace Talk. Thank you.
• Dolores led one Leave No Trace themed hike.• She shared 3 Leave No Trace Posts on the Trails Club of Oregon Facebook page
featuring Leave No Trace Principle #2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces and Leave
No Trace Principle #4: Leave what you find, including weed seeds
• To summarize these posts: Traveling on Durable Surfaces: Spring trails can be muddy,
fragile and full of new growth. To keep them thriving please walk through and not
around muddy spots. Please stay on designated trails to protect wildflowers and please
keep pets on leash to prevent trampling. Leaving What you Find: Please use boot
brushes to remove invasive seeds from boots
• As a follow up to the previous report on a possible beach cleanup: Dolores has sought
recommendations from various people for possible beaches that could use some
cleaning after the winter king tides that brought more trash to the beaches. So far I have
not had any suggestions for beaches within a 2 hour commute of the Portland area. She
will update us when she hears of an area that needs more help
• Leave No Trace Committee is looking for a couple interested members to join this
growing committee. Please email LeaveNoTrace@TrailsClub.org if interested.
The board is really pleased with this work that Dolores is doing.

OLD BUSINESS
Tyee; Paul received an estimate from the septic contractors to install 2 clean-outs at Tyee for
$2200. Also, a septic tank pump-out costs $700. He asks the board to debate and comment
on these costs. If we had had clean- outs, we could have avoided bringing in professional help.

Policies & Practices document for TCO (Bev, Eric, Lori)
Eric will investigate the FWOC and look into reciprocity with them and other clubs.
We need to create a Policies and Practices document of our more flexible policies and
practices that were left out of the new bylaws. These items may change more frequently than
our bylaws. Their placement in this new document will make it easy for the Board to reference
them and change them as needed. The only way to see this doc is through this link: TCO
Policies and Practices Draft 2.2025.docx
Joel will put the document into a more user friendly google doc.
As a board, we worked on the document from Section 4 “Committee and Appointments”
through Nesika and Tyee Lodges, Section 15, Lodge Operations. Joel recorded the approved
changes. Over the next several months, individual Board members will work on the section(s)
that pertain to their position and bring their work to the Board for approval.

Drop Box
Joel worked with the Board members who were having trouble using Dropbox.

NEW BUSINESS
April Minutes
Eric will take minutes for the April board meeting.

Adjorned at 9:07
Next meeting, April 8, 2025, 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

OEO@TrailsClub.org

TripsChair
@TrailsClub.org

 

Social@TrailsClub.org

LeaveNoTrace@TrailsClub.org

History@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 second Tuesday of the month, 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: Joel Reitz
Send pictures, new events, corrections and anything else for the
Trails Club of Oregon website to: webmaster@TrailsClub.org