Gales Creek Trail Dig Day Recap: Brushing, Drainage, and Steady Progress

A smaller-than-usual crew showed up on January 10, 2026, but the impact was anything but small. Nine volunteers headed out to Gales Creek Trail in Tillamook State Forest to continue brushing and tread work between the clearcut and the Step Creek junction.

Dense salal dominated much of the work area, and as the crew quickly discovered, removing heavy brush takes time and effort. Despite that challenge, volunteers made solid progress over the course of the day, completing brushing, tread repair, and drainage work along approximately two-thirds of a mile of trail.

In addition to clearing vegetation, the crew removed a rootwad and addressed drainage issues that had been holding water on the trail. These improvements help reduce erosion, improve tread longevity, and make the trail easier to ride and hike throughout the year.

One of the key benefits of this work is improved sightlines. Clearing back salal and brush makes it easier for trail users to see obstacles and one another, reducing potential conflicts and improving overall safety. Better drainage also means less standing water on the trail, especially important during the wet winter months.

Cyclepath PDX supported the dig day by providing food, people, and beverages, helping keep volunteers fueled and morale high throughout the day.

Thanks to everyone who came out and put in the hard work. Brushing and drainage may not always be glamorous, but this type of maintenance is critical to keeping trails open, safe, and sustainable. Work on Gales Creek Trail will continue, with the next work party scheduled for Saturday, February 21. The scope is still to be determined, but crews will likely continue moving downhill toward Reehers Camp.