On April 26, 2016, a USFS-sponsored meeting in Wallowa County, Oregon, led to the formation of the Wallowa Mountains Hells Canyon Trails Association (WMHCTA), officially launched on February 13, 2017. This non-profit organization seeks to improve the condition of trails, river corridors, and cultural heritage sites—like cabins and Native American sites—on US Forest Service lands and beyond.

WMHCTA mobilizes volunteers to enhance recreational access, prevent damage to natural and cultural resources, and provide educational opportunities. It is part of the Eagle Cap Partnership (ECP), a collaboration with Eastern Oregon University, the USFS, and Wallowa Resources aimed at achieving effective land and water stewardship.

The organization works closely with the USFS to identify projects, gather resources, and train volunteers. WMHCTA maintains a non-political stance and collaborates with various federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private and non-profit organizations, to focus on tangible outcomes in the community.

The organization is led by a board of seven to fifteen dedicated individuals who meet monthly and represent diverse skills and interests, including hiking, boating, and education. They possess expertise in backcountry tools, financial management, grant writing, and more.

During the field season, we hold weekly meetings for project planning. Currently, WMHCTA has over 100 members. In five years of operations, we’ve logged over 11,000 volunteer hours, spent 244 days in the field, cleared 479 miles of trails, and removed approximately 3,500 trees, all while having fun and avoiding serious injuries.