2025 HRATS End of the Year Letter

By White Lotus Sports on December 23, 2025 • ( 0 )

Dear HRATS Supporters,

As 2025 draws to a close, we at Hood River Area Trail Stewards (HRATS) are reflecting on the incredible progress made to our local trail systems this year. None of it would have been possible without the dedication of passionate community members like you!

Our volunteers remain the heart of HRATS. We can’t express enough gratitude for the countless hours you contributed throughout 2025. Every time we put out a call, you show up, and that commitment is what keeps the magic of our trail system alive. We’re excited to offer even more opportunities to get involved in 2026.

Because of your generosity this past year, HRATS helped bring many important trail projects to life. But there is still more to be done. As we look ahead to 2026 and your year-end contribution, no matter its size, we will directly support stewardship, maintenance, and new-trail initiatives that make our community’s outdoor experience so special.

Completed Trails in 2025:

Whoopdee: This year marked the completion of the final phase of the Whoopdee Trail extension. Bluefield Design (Joe Benedetti) added another one and a half miles onto the seven miles built last year, plus three miles of an entirely new climb-out at a smooth 5.1% grade. This year to date we’ve spent $32,800 on Whoopdee machine work that’s expanded this trail network by over 30%. Much of this was funded directly by our Spring Fundraiser Party.

B-Side: This half mile black, hand-built trail, opened in May 2025, adds a new twist to raw, technical riding like its counterpart on A-Side. Built by Maurizio von Flotow, Tyler Horton, and crew, B-Side connects to the Spaghetti/Lower GP intersection and provides expert riders with a fun, technical experience.
Shadow: Hood River County (HRC) approved this trail last year, and trail adopter Jeff Blackman’s intermediate/blue hand-built downhill trail is now fully open. What was only 25% complete a year ago is now a full mile of new trail, delivering the hand-built character and flow we envisioned from the beginning.
Several local projects are already underway and will require HRATS leadership and community financial and volunteer support in the coming year. With your help, we’ll be focusing on these key Post Canyon initiatives in 2026:

Phelps Creek: Corey Hoffman continues to lead construction on a new dedicated non-wheeled trail for equestrians, runners, and hikers. Beginning at Family Man and climbing toward the Binn’s Hill Staging Area, this project will add approximately seven miles of new trail. The RTP grant will also fund a new equestrian staging area and the last section of trail to be built.

Baby GP: As part of the RTP grant, Baby GP will be split into two adaptive-qualified trails. One climbing trail and a separate descending trail will create a safer, flowier loop from Family Man. Construction is planned for 2026.

3 Blind Mice: This trail is receiving a major update with step-ups, step-downs, jumps, a wall ride, progressive drop, and an extension running parallel to 2 Chair. Funded through a Travel Oregon Grant (written by HRC with HRATS support) and built by Bluefield Design, this update will deliver a safer and more exciting riding experience.

Toilet Bowl: Next up for a facelift, Toilet Bowl will get a rebuilt entrance drop with progression options and a redesigned lower merge with Float-On, Donkey Boy, and Kleeway for improved safety and flow. Funded through the Travel Oregon Grant and constructed by Bluefield Design.

Mitchell Ridge: Recent improvements for the ride around and waterfall sections of the trail, led by adopter Rafe Lehner, have enhanced flow and safety. However, the lower six berms need rebuilding due to failing wooden retaining walls. Rafe is collaborating with HRC and HRATS on a repair plan. The estimated cost is between $15,000 and $20,000. HRATS will need to raise funds to help move this project forward.

Lower 7 Streams: HRATS and HRC are hoping to partner to build a new trail from the Lower 7 Streams Staging Area connecting to Lower 12 Bridges. This will give riders a safer, more enjoyable route off the gravel road. Fundraising support will be essential.

X Chorus / FMX: This section is being evaluated for a modernization into a Dirt Merchant / A-Line–style trail which is Advanced jump line . Achieving this vision will require machine work and fundraising support from HRATS, as well as a passionate crew to do the finishing work.

Corner Store: HRATS is thrilled that Carl Aldrich has continued the drive for a more raw single-track trail. His proposed Corner Store trail will go to the right of the last section of Shadow and includes some beautiful steep pitches and fun corners! The HRC Forestry Dept has approved his flag line, and he just needs approval from the HRC Recreation Trail Committee to begin work.
Chuck Line: Craig Spaeth, Rachel Crowder, and Megan Barton are working on a new climbing trail that will get you past Family Man without climbing Heart Attack hill. Chuck Line is an intermediate-plus climbing trail that will give you a challenging yet rhythmic climb that will deliver you to the intersection of Thee Way and Spaghetti Factory or on down to the Spaghetti bridge. Riders are expected to continue their climb via Charlie’s Trail. It will be nice to have some variety in our climbing routes.
Blackout: HRC has approved this new expert/black trail branching off from Shadow’s left. This trail has been delayed for a few reasons, but we hope it will be back on track in 2026. HRC is leading construction and adding rock features for enhanced technical challenges. Once machine work wraps up, HRATS volunteers will likely help shape and finish the trail.

Trail Maintenance:

Although the above list is exciting, the recent and expected surge in trail building has stretched the current bandwidth for regular trail upkeep, with some trails in need of serious rehab.. For general ridability and safety trails need to be brushed consistently in late Spring and Summer, which unfortunately hasn’t happened as consistently as it should. HRATS has formed a Trail Maintenance Team to attack this problem. The goal is to have them do the brushing and light dirt work that is getting missed. We have 25 people on the team, but we would love to have more. You do not need to be a skilled trail builder. You just need to love trails and have some spare time. Reply to this email if interested.

Administrative Projects

Grant Writing: HRATS will continue supporting HRC and other partners in securing grant funding to help offset trail-building and infrastructure costs.
Trail Building Process: HRC is rewriting the Hood River County Recreational Trail Master Plan, now over 15 years old. HRATS board members will actively advocate for modern trail use and a future vision so that community priorities are well represented.
Together, we will make 2026 another exceptional year for our trails.

As we approach the end of 2025, we humbly ask you to consider making a year-end donation to HRATS. Whether big or small, your contribution directly supports the work that keeps our trail system thriving. Your gift will help us carry out essential maintenance, advance new trail phases at Post Canyon and Whoopdee, and expand community outreach through programs like Families at Family Man.

To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit our website:

https://hrats.org/fundraising/donations/

Every dollar counts and goes directly back into the trails we all love.

Thank you for being an essential part of the HRATS community. Your support, enthusiasm, and passion make everything we do possible. We wish you a joyful holiday season and a fantastic year ahead!

See you on the trail,
Tim Mixon
President, Hood River Area Trail Stewards

The truth is that an organization is only as good as its team members. I am very proud to say that HRATS has built a fantastic team, and I want you all to know who makes HRATS tick. They are:

Rachel Crowder: HRATS VP
Campbell Morrissy: HRATS Treasurer
Megan Barton: HRATS Secretary
Craig Spaeth: Washington/CAMBA Rep and Trail Building legend
Holly LaRue: Fundraising
Stephanie Arbogast: Fundraising
Jaime Rivera: Outreach
David Ingraham: Volunteer Coordinator
Bekah Rottenberg: Post Canyon Adopter Wrangler
Julie Caldwell: Families at Family Man Coordinator
Communications & Social Media – We are currently filling this seat on the HRATS Board.