On September 13, 2012 twenty-seven Cycle Oregon cyclists rode to the top of Mt. Ashland…

on a yellow school bus. During “Day 5” of Cycle Oregon’s week long ride the enthusiastic cyclists volunteered to give back to one of the National Forests they had been riding through.

The project site straddled two national forests, the Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest and the Klamath National Forest. The volunteers vigorously worked to deconstruct on old wood pole fence once used to keep cattle from the heavily used “Grouse Cap” shelter along the Pacific Crest Trail. Cattle have been long gone from the area and the fence had succumbed to rot and was unsafe for hikers and visitors. So, with our box of tools and hand saws the volunteers quickly took down the fence.

Despite a grueling uphill ride the previous day, volunteers worked tirelessly on their day of rest to support our National Forests. Some riders remarked at how much work was completed in only one day with many hands helping.

Often during the week-long ride cyclists’ fly past the scenery of the national forest backdrop – but on this day they spent hours learning, working, giving back, and socializing in Ashland’s “backyard forest”. From our high altitude restoration project site we could see clear sweeping views of California’s Mt. Shasta in the distance and were surrounded by mature trees and brush meadows. During lunch we listened to interesting geological and historical discussions of the area led by leading representatives of the Pacific Crest Trail Association, Mt. Shasta Ski Area and the Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest.

Thank you Cycle Oregon for the opportunity to host a Friends of the Forest Day and a big thanks to the volunteers for all of your hard work!