Enjoying the new Overlook Trail

It didn't take long for word to get out about the new accessible trail south of town on the Three Creek Road. Just a few weeks after the formal dedication of the Whychus Overlook, the new feature was already seeing new users for whom the project was intended.

John Schubert, a former Forest Service employee, was one of those involved in the planning and construction of the project; and he mentioned the new trail to his neighbor, Nancy Stevens, who is blind.

"I was so intrigued with (John Schubert's) stories of what goes into planning and developing a trail that I wanted him to share the story with others," Stevens said.

"I thought this would be really cool to bring some of us from the accessibility community to enjoy something we didn't have to go out and fight for. So, I had this idea to get some folks from the Central Oregon accessibility group together; and I sent out an email and asked who wanted to do this."

As it turned out, she had several replies; and it was also a perfect opportunity for the group to use the brand-new accessible bus purchased through a grant from Oregon Adaptive Sports.

"So, for one of its first outings we had 11 people on the bus, three in wheelchairs, four of us who are blind, and four volunteers."

Schubert, of course, was among those volunteers; and he served as a nature interpreter and guide for the group.

"It was very gratifying to see the visitors enjoy and appreciate all the work that went into the trail," he said. "They seemed eager to bring others to the trail."

"It was wonderful to enjoy a trail that is accessible," said Stevens. "I appreciated the Forest Service effort to create a trail in Sisters where people with a variety of disabilities can hike together and enjoy the outdoors. It was fabulous to ride up together on the new accessible bus from Oregon Adaptive Sports. Transportation can often be a barrier for many of us to enjoy recreation, so this was a perfect day."

Sharlene Wills was another of those to take advantage of the new trail project.

"I was one of the blind participants on that memorable June day-hike near Sisters that presented us with a truly accessible trail for folks with different needs," she said.

"I want to thank John (Schubert), again, for all his efforts," Wills said. "It is a lovely trail, both scenic and easy to navigate, while still letting one have some good exercise. I fully enjoyed going with a group of people, but I also truly loved being able to do the whole trail by myself, with my guide dog.

"So often, we blind folks must rely on sighted guides in order to hike or bike; and, though Oregon Adaptive Sports, among other groups, provides us with wonderful volunteers, it really means a lot to many of us to be able to independently do some of these things such as hiking. So the effort made on this particular trail is truly appreciated."

The new trail is a one-mile loop that includes the Whychus Overlook at its midway point. The surface of the trail is highly compacted fine gravel, and a concern has recently arisen about unauthorized bicycle use on the special surface. Damage to the surface can cause problems for the users for whom the trail is intended.

Amy Racki, the Forest Service's recreation team leader for the Sisters Ranger District, confirmed that the trail is posted as being not for bikes.

"We want to keep the tread surface nice so people that require mobility assistance have the opportunity to enjoy the trail," she said. "If bicyclists brake hard or maneuver quickly, it degrades the tread surface. This is a hiker-only accessible trail - no bicycles, no horses."

Stevens talked about how important it is for people with accessibility issues to have the opportunity to use such a trail.

"Some of these folks haven't really had much experience outdoors. For one of the guys in a wheelchair, this was his first outing in the woods since his accident."

Unfortunately, there are few such opportunities in the forests, and Racki has already seen evidence of bicycle traffic on the trail. She wants people to be aware of the use restrictions in order to make sure that this unique trail does not suffer damage as the result of improper use.

To reach the roadside parking lot and trailhead for this accessible trail and overlook, simply head south on the Three Creek Road (Elm Street in town) for a little over five miles. The turnout is near the summit of Peterson Ridge, on the right-hand (west) side of the road, just a short distance beyond the five-mile marker.