Wallowa Mountains Hells Canyon Trails Association: A Legacy of Stewardship and a Historic Future

By on Friday, May 15th, 2026 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories

ENTERPRISE — The Wallowa Mountains Hells Canyon Trails Association (WMHCTA) is celebrating a major fundraising milestone that will help preserve and maintain Northeast Oregon’s iconic trail systems for generations to come. The community-driven nonprofit is dedicated to keeping trails accessible throughout the Wallowas and Hells Canyon through a strong “boots on the ground” volunteer ethic that supports hikers, horse packers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

A Major Financial Milestone

In early 2026, WMHCTA concluded a record-breaking fundraising campaign that generated nearly two-thirds of a million dollars in support of future trail maintenance and organizational sustainability.

The campaign began when an anonymous Union County philanthropist offered a 3-to-1 matching pledge for every dollar raised. The association originally sought to raise $133,000 to unlock a $400,000 contribution. Community support quickly exceeded expectations, with donors contributing approximately $166,000. In response, the donor increased the matching commitment to $500,000, bringing the total raised to approximately $666,000.

The organization has since established the Legacy Trails Fund Endowment, which is now active and designed to provide long-term financial stability for the association’s operations and volunteer support efforts.

Annual earnings from the endowment will help offset core operational expenses including insurance, rent, staff support, volunteer mileage reimbursement, stock use, and volunteer per diem costs. By helping cover those expenses, more grant and project funding can be directed toward trail maintenance and restoration work throughout the region.

The association also recently benefited from a donated Landowner Preference (LOP) bull elk tag hunt on Zumwalt Prairie Preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy, which generated an additional $30,000 in support of trail projects.

History: From Community Concern to Action

The roots of WMHCTA trace back to April 26, 2016, when local citizens gathered during a United States Forest Service-sponsored meeting to address the declining condition of regional trail systems. Those conversations ultimately led to the official formation of WMHCTA as a membership-based nonprofit organization on February 13, 2017.

Since its founding, the organization has become a major partner in public lands stewardship across Northeast Oregon.

WMHCTA is part of the Eagle Cap Partnership alongside Eastern Oregon University, the U.S. Forest Service, and Wallowa Resources. The association has grown to approximately 150 members and, over nine years of field operations, volunteers have logged more than 26,000 hours, cleared over 1,300 miles of trail, and removed approximately 9,375 downed trees.

Record-Breaking Impact in 2025

The organization’s fundraising success comes as trail maintenance demands continue to increase across federal lands. While seasonal staffing levels within the Forest Service have improved this year, volunteer support continues to play a critical role in maintaining public access throughout the region.

In 2025 alone, WMHCTA volunteers accomplished:

  • More than 6,159 volunteer hours
  • Removal of 2,005 trees from area trails
  • Clearing of 322 miles of trail
  • Brushing of 173 additional trail miles
  • Installation of 134 trail signs
  • Improvement of approximately 650 yards of trail tread

One major accomplishment was the reopening of the Lackey’s Hole Trail. The 10-mile route had been heavily obstructed by approximately 450 downed trees and left largely inaccessible for years. After four years of coordinated volunteer work and multiday trail projects, crews completed the final section in September 2025, reopening the trail to the public.

Looking Ahead to 2026

With “new blood” joining the ranks following the fundraising drive, the association is setting its sights on a sustainable three-year maintenance rotation for every mile of trail in the Wallowas and Hells Canyon. “Our goal is to work on every mile of trail that hasn’t been maintained for several years,” said Hansen.

Ways to Get Involved

  • Trail Projects: Members participate in single-day and multi-day overnight excursions, often supported by pack horses and mules. Membership is required to participate in these projects.
  • Trail Ambassadors: For those who prefer to stay near trailheads, this program offers visitor support, “Leave No Trace” education, and data collection at five high-traffic locations.
  • Contact: Visit WMHCTA.org or follow @wmhctrails on social media to join the mission.

Elkhorn Media Group