Scout project enhances Sisters trail

Garrett Trahern may have found the perfect Eagle Scout project.

Not only will the finished product be available for others to use for years to come, it is tied to work his father, Gene, has done for the past few years and it will enhance his own experience as a runner for the Sisters High School cross country team.

On top of all that, the location of the project is perfectly named: Eagle Rock.

Trahern says he is one hard day's work from finishing a trail that will give hikers and walkers access to the top of Eagle Rock from the already established paths of the Sisters Trails system.

No more will people seeking the tremendous view from the top of Eagle Rock have to scramble amid the rough rocks and brambles to achieve the summit.

Getting to the point of being eligible for taking on an Eagle Scout project has been a journey in itself, says the 15-year-old Trahern, who is entering his sophomore year at Sisters High School.

"Throughout scouting, there are many skills, positions of leadership, community service, and badges required to advance to various ranks within scouting. To become an Eagle Scout, one must earn a total of 21 merit badges of which 12 are required. You also have to have a leadership project which generally consists of over 100 man-hours of work. The Eagle project must be planned and carried out by the scout. Along with a certain amount of time in a rank of responsibility you can then submit an Eagle application," he said.

Trahern appreciates that his father is the Life Scout advisor for the local troop, and the two could work together to add to the work the elder Trahern has been involved with over the years with the Sisters Trails Committee (now the Sisters Trails Alliance).

"I picked the Eagle Rock section because I have always loved that area and have climbed Eagle Rock many times," he said.

In addition to creating the actual trail, Garrett has taken measures to protect the area around Eagle Rock as well. The project was authorized by the USFS in 2008 following an Environmental Assessment Study.

"The trail is just over 1/2-mile long and consists of several long switchbacks that take you up and over Eagle Rock," he said.

"It connects the Peterson Ridge West trail and the Boneyard connector trail. It is what is considered a highly technical trail and is meant only for hiking and experienced mountain bikers," he said. "Also as part of the project, I have covered up several unauthorized vehicle roads in order to restore the area back to natural forest, and cleaned up trash in the area."

Trahern says the hardest part of the project has been the planning and coordination. On his first group work day on August 28, he managed 25 workers, followed by 15 volunteers the following day. So far he estimates over 250 "man-hours" of work have been completed.

"I really appreciate the support and help I have gotten from my troop leader Barrett Ford and from John Rahm who is the leader of the Sisters Trail Alliance, as well as all the volunteers from the community," he said.

With completion of the project in sight, Garrett is able to reflect on what he has learned and what it means to give to the community.

"I feel I have learned planning, preparation, communication, coordination, and leadership skills beyond what you normally learn in school and it's really rewarding to build something that will last and be used by people in the community," he said.

Trahern has planned one final work party scheduled for Saturday, September 12 from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers should bring a hard rake, sturdy shoes, long pants and a water bottle. The work that remains is all the beautification of the trail, making it smooth and rideable, finishing some rock walls and covering up one last unauthorized road.

To access the work site, drive south on Elm Street/Three Creeks Road about a mile out of town to the old Brooks Scanlon Road and turn left (east) for about a mile to Eagle Rock on the right-hand side.