North Umpqua Trail Recovery

Regional Programs Pacific Northwest and Alaska Program

The North Umpqua Trail (NUT) is a 79-mile single-track trail that begins in the Mt. Thielsen Wilderness and follows the North Umpqua River toward the community of Glide.

The 2020 Archie Creek Fire and the 2021 Jack Fire resulted in the closure of 30 miles of the NUT. Currently, the USFS and BLM have reopened short segments, but most of these burned trail miles remain closed due to downed trees, damaged tread, landslides, burned bridges, and other hazards.

The scope of the problem is quite large, but the NFF and the USFS are committed to working together and with other partners to restore and reopen this popular National Recreation Trail.

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Trail Rehabilitation

We have been supporting the Umpqua National Forest to develop a volunteer program so that the local community and trail users can pitch in and help restore the NUT. Stay tuned for volunteer training days and trail rehab events in 2023! We have also brought in funding from REI and Athletic Brewing to provide a grant to Phoenix School’s Oregon Youth Corps for a crew to dedicate a season to the NUT and other fire-affected trails.

Trail Bridge Replacements

In fall 2022, thanks to $150,000 from Oregon State Parks, $1,000 from Roseburg Walmart, and additional funding from the Umpqua National Forest, we removed the fire-damaged Thunder Creek trail bridge on the Tioga Segment and flew in a new steel bridge via helicopter. At the same time, the Umpqua National Forest replaced the John and Cougar Creek bridges on the Mott Segment. We are now actively fundraising to replace the Fisher Creek trail bridge to continue our effort to bring continuity back to the NUT.

Looking ahead

Seven more trail bridges need to be replaced, and dozens of miles of trail need to be restored to a safe and sustainable condition. The Umpqua National Forest has received Federal Disaster Relief and Great American Outdoor Act funds for the work, but it is not sufficient to cover all costs. We are working hard to fundraise to fill in budget gaps and get the NUT back to prime hiking, running, and riding conditions. If you’d like to help restore the NUT, please consider donating to the Umpqua Stewardship Fund, or coming out for a volunteer day! Contact Heather Bartlett, [email protected] for more information.

North Umpqua Trail Recovery

Donate

Trail Rehabilitation

Trail Bridge Replacements

Looking ahead

Cultivating Meaningful Partnerships on the Umpqua

Recovering Fall Creek Falls after the Archie Creek Fire

North Umpqua Trail: Utilizing creative solutions and community support to restore an iconic trail