Friends of the Columbia Gorge

Third Saturday Stewardship at St. Cloud Day Use Area
2025-05-17 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join us for stewardship at St. Cloud every third Saturday as we gear up for riparian restoration along Good Bear Creek. This salmon bearing stream has become overgrown with invasive plants and this restoration project aims to remove non-native plants along the stream course and replace native vegetation to help with salmon migration. St. Cloud also includes an historic apple orchard and Columbia River wetland and riparian habitat! Our focus will be removing small patches of Himalayan blackberry across the site and within a wildflower restoration area.
Register here.
Read more about St. Cloud Trail HERE
Physical description: expect walking off trail in flat, grassy/possibly muddy terrain, digging, bending, kneeling. The project area is about 0.25 mile walk along a packed gravel path.
Site notes: There is a USFS vault toilet in the parking area.
Before you register, please: Click here to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the Center for Ecodynamic Restoration, Clark College Native Plant Center and U.S. Forest Service.

Wildflower Festival Stewardship Day at Coyote Wall
2025-05-23 08:00 - 12:00
Do you enjoy hiking or biking along the trails of Coyote Wall during wildflower season? If so please consider joining Friends and the U.S. Forest Service for a morning of stewardship where you’ll learn more about the incredible wildflower ecology of Coyote Wall and the east Gorge and what you can do to protect these habitats. We will hike up Little Maui Trail and as we learn about native wildflowers we will also learn to identify and spend time removing two invasive plant species that threaten wildflower diversity here, yellow star thistle and European houndstongue.
Register here.
Physical description: expect hiking on rock and dirt trails up to 4 miles and ~800 ft elevation gain. Weed removal includes walking off trail in grassy fields on sloped and flat terrain, pulling, bending, kneeling.
Site notes: There is a USFS vault toilet in the parking area. There is poison oak along these trails that we will identify and avoid as well as ticks.
Before you register, please: Click here to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Hike 'n Pull at Lyle Cherry Orchard
2025-06-06 09:00 - 13:30
Join Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust at this scenic preserve for a “hike and pull” work party that combines vistas, hiking and stewardship all packed into one awesome morning! We will hike about a mile up the trail to the wildflower meadows and focus on preserving meadow habitat by removing patches of the infamous east Gorge weed, yellow star thistle.
Physical description: expect hiking up to 2 miles roundtrip on a steep rock and dirt trail, ~800 ft elevation gain. Hand pulling includes walking off trail in grassy fields on sloped and flat terrain, bending and pulling. Find out more about the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail HERE.
Site info: This amazing trails also is home to poison oak, ticks and snakes, oh my! We’ll review how to steward safety in the introduction. The closest public restroom is in Lyle at the Klickitat Trail Trailhead and Parking Area.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
Thanks to the amazing volunteers and staff at Washington Trail Association for maintaining this trail!
Register HERE

Invasive Houndstongue Removal at Tracy Hill
2025-06-11 09:00 - 13:00
Come spend the morning stewarding on Tracy Hill which overlooks the Catherine Creek Day Use Area. Invasive European houndstongue was recently spotted here and now is the time to remove it before it begins to spread! Tracy Hill is an undeveloped USFS site due north of Catherine Creek Day Use area. Volunteers will learn how to identify both the invasive houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale) and our native Pacific houndstongue (Adelinia grande).
Learn more about…
Invasive houndstongue
Pacific houndstongue
Physical description: expect walking off trail in grassy fields on mostly flat terrain, digging, bending, kneeling.
Site notes: All sites in central and east Gorge are likely to have ticks and some poison oak that we will ID and avoid.
Directions: For planning purposes, Our access and parking spot is about a 30 min drive from downtown Hood River. Exact meeting spot will be emailed to volunteers a few days before the event.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Register HERE

Hike 'n Pull at Lyle Cherry Orchard
2025-06-13 09:00 - 13:30
Join Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust at this scenic preserve for our second “hike and pull” work party that combines vistas, hiking and stewardship all packed into one awesome morning! We will hike about a mile up the trail to the wildflower meadows and focus on preserving meadow habitat by removing patches of the infamous east Gorge weed, yellow star thistle.
Physical description: expect hiking up to 2 miles roundtrip on a steep rock and dirt trail, ~800 ft elevation gain. Hand pulling includes walking off trail in grassy fields on sloped and flat terrain, bending and pulling. Find out more about the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail HERE.
Site info: This amazing trails also is home to poison oak, ticks and snakes, oh my! We’ll review how to steward safety in the introduction. The closest public restroom is in Lyle at the Klickitat Trail Trailhead and Parking Area.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
Thanks to the amazing volunteers and staff at Washington Trail Association for maintaining this trail!
Register HERE

Saturday Stewardship at Sams Walker Day Use Area
2025-06-14 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for stewardship Saturdays at Sams Walker! As we prepare for future plantings, the focus this spring will be to continue targeting patches of invasive plants from oak understory habitats that are smothering native shrubs and wildflowers! As we hike to the project area we’ll tour the oak and pollinator meadow restoration efforts from the past five years, talk about successes and challenges and look for the first wildflowers of the season!
Learn more about the mosaic of habitats at Sams Walker Day Use Area HERE.
Physical description: expect walking off trail on slightly uneven ground, cutting with loppers, pulling. The project site is about a 0.25 mile walk from the parking area on a flat gravel trail.
Site notes: There is a USFS vault toilet in the parking area.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver– You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with Center for Ecodynamic Restoration and U.S. Forest Service.

Register HERE.

Stewardship Day at St. Cloud Day Use Area
2025-06-22 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for stewardship at St. Cloud every third Saturday- but in this case a Sunday!- as we gear up for riparian restoration along Good Bear Creek. This salmon bearing stream has become overgrown with invasive plants and this restoration project aims to remove non-native plants along the stream course and replace native vegetation to help with salmon migration. St. Cloud also includes an historic apple orchard and Columbia River wetland and riparian habitat! Our focus will be removing small patches of Himalayan blackberry across the site and within a wildflower restoration area.
Read more about St. Cloud Trail HERE
Physical description: expect walking off trail in flat, grassy/possibly muddy terrain, digging, bending, kneeling. The project area is about 0.25 mile walk along a dirt path.
Site notes: There is a USFS vault toilet in the parking area.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the Center for Ecodynamic Restoration, Clark College Native Plant Center and U.S. Forest Service.
Register HERE.

Hike 'n Pull at Dog Mountain
2025-06-25 08:00 - 15:00
Join Friends and the U.S. Forest Service for an annual “hike and pull” work party to remove invasive weed herb Robert geranium that is sneaking up the trail corridors! Dog Mt. is known for it’s spectacular wildflower meadows and dramatic Gorge views from the top, however the understory of this trail is also quite spectacular and full of biodiversity including orchids. By volunteering with this project you will learn more about the understory ecology and help keep this ecosystem in tact – and enjoy all the views along the way!
What to expect: this trail is rated as “strenuous” and is very steep with up to 2500′ elevation gain. You can expect hike up to 6 miles roundtrip along the dirt trail. Weed removal spots are approximately 3 miles up the trail not too far below the summit so be prepared for the climb. Luckily, the plant has shallow roots that are easy to pull. Work includes walking off trail and moving along sloped and flat terrain, bending, kneeling, pulling.
Site notes: NW Forest Day Passes will provided for parking. There is a USFS vault toilet near the trailhead. Poison oak grows alongside portions of the trail that we will identify and avoid and also chat about tick and rattlesnake safety.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Register HERE.

Hike 'n Pull at Dog Mountain
2025-07-02 08:00 - 15:00
Join Friends and the U.S. Forest Service for our second summer “hike and pull” work party to remove invasive weed herb Robert geranium that is sneaking up the trail corridors! Dog Mt. is known for it’s spectacular wildflower meadows and dramatic Gorge views from the top, however the understory of this trail is also quite spectacular and full of biodiversity including orchids. By volunteering with this project you will learn more about the understory ecology and help keep this ecosystem in tact – and enjoy all the views along the way!
What to expect: this trail is rated as “strenuous” and is very steep with up to 2500′ elevation gain. You can expect hike up to 6 miles roundtrip along the dirt trail. Weed removal spots are approximately 3 miles up the trail not too far below the summit so be prepared for the climb. Luckily, the plant has shallow roots that are easy to pull. Work includes walking off trail and moving along sloped and flat terrain, bending, kneeling, pulling.
Site notes: NW Forest Day Passes will provided for parking. There is a USFS vault toilet near the trailhead. Poison oak grows alongside portions of the trail that we will identify and avoid and also chat about tick and rattlesnake safety.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Register HERE.

First Saturday Stewardship at Sams Walker
2025-07-05 09:00 - 13:00

Stewardship Saturday at St. Cloud Day Use Area
2025-07-19 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for stewardship at St. Cloud every third Saturday as we gear up for riparian restoration along Good Bear Creek. This salmon bearing stream has become overgrown with invasive plants and this restoration project aims to remove non-native plants along the stream course and replace native vegetation to help with salmon migration. St. Cloud also includes an historic apple orchard and Columbia River wetland and riparian habitat! Our focus will be removing small patches of Himalayan blackberry across the site and within a wildflower restoration area.
Read more about St. Cloud Trail HERE
Physical description: expect walking off trail in flat, grassy/possibly muddy terrain, digging, bending, kneeling. The project area is about 0.25 mile walk along a dirt path.
Site notes: There is a USFS vault toilet in the parking area.
Before you register, please:
Click HERE to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.
This project is in partnership with the Center for Ecodynamic Restoration, Clark College Native Plant Center and U.S. Forest Service.
Register HERE.

Gorge Summerfest 2025
2025-07-26 16:00 - 20:00 | Cascade Locks Marine Park, 355 Wa Na Pa St., Cascade Locks, OR, 97014, United States
Friends of the Columbia Gorge is throwing our annual summer celebration, and you’re invited! Set along the banks of the Columbia River at the scenic Cascade Locks Marine Park, this free, family-friendly event is open to the public and packed with fun ways to enjoy a summer afternoon in the Gorge.
Expect live music and dancing from two incredible local acts: genre-spanning pop-rock artist Matt Chaffee kicks things off, followed by a headlining set from acclaimed Americana/folk duo Tony Furtado and Stephanie Schneiderman.
Wander through a pop-up market featuring Indigenous artists, grab a bite from one of several delicious food trucks (frybread tacos, Thai, grilled sausages, ice cream, and more!), and explore conservation booths from local environmental groups. There’s something for everyone: lawn games, face painting, a bouncy house (wind permitting), a 50/50 raffle, and more.
Located in the heart of Cascade Locks, Oregon, the Marine Park offers riverside views, paved paths, and access to Thunder Island. It’s the perfect backdrop for a summer celebration of community and conservation.
Don’t miss your chance to connect with Friends of the Columbia Gorge and hundreds of other conservation-minded people from across the region to celebrate everything that makes this place so special.
Admission is free, and donations are optional, but if you’d like to make a donation as part of your free event registration, you may do so here.
Tap here to register.
Can’t wait to see you there!

Fall Stewardship at Sams Walker Day Use Area
2025-10-04 09:00 - 12:00
Enjoy an autumn morning in the Gorge stewarding the pollinator meadows and oak understories of Sams Walker and contributing to important habitat restoration.

Hike Beacon Rock with Washington State Parks
2025-10-10 10:00 - 12:00
Join Beacon Rock State Park Ranger Ryan Reynolds as he leads a historic journey through time at Beacon Rock.
Hike Difficulty level: Easy: 1.8-mile roundtrip | 680 ft. elevation gain

Fall Hike to Larch Mountain Crater
2025-10-12 10:00 - 15:00
Join Outdoor Guide & Friends Board Member Jayson Moorman for a fall adventure through old-growth forest ablaze with autumn colors.
Difficulty level: Moderate: 6 mile loop with ~1,200-feet elevation gain

Burdoin Fire Restoration
2025-10-17 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-10-24 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-11-07 09:00 - 13:00
Join Friends of the Columbia Gorge and US Forest Service in helping spread a mix of native grass seed to boost land recovery in the Burdoin Fire Area.

Hiking Through History Near Hood River - 2 PART HIKE & WALK OUTING
2025-10-17 09:00 - 15:00
First part – Strenuous hike to Summit of Mitchell Point – Hike Difficulty Level: 2.2 miles | 900-feet elev. Gain
Second part – Easy Walk Through the Mitchell Point Tunnel and Along the Pipeline Trail – Hike Difficulty Level: 3 miles

First part – Hard hike to Summit of Mitchell Point
Steve will lead a short but strenuous hike FOR EXPERIENCED HIKERS ONLY to the summit of Mitchell Point to enjoy 210 degree panoramic views of the Gorge. Please note that this hike is very steep (climbing 900 feet over 1.1 miles), crosses three scree fields with loose rock and then climbs an exposed ridgeline with significant drops on both sides. This part of the experience is difficult, so only those with experience hiking these conditions should consider doing this!

Second part – Easy Walk Through the Mitchell Point Tunnel and Along the Pipeline Trail
Those who only want to join for the easy walk will join the group at 11:15 AM to walk along the rebuilt section of the Columbia River Historic Highway through the new Mitchell Point Tunnel.** We will discuss the history of the first scenic highway in America and enjoy a picnic lunch along the way. Afterwards, we will caravan by cars to Hood River to walk the Pipeline Trail (3 miles in and out) and learn about the history of the Hood River water system. Both of these fairly flat walks provide beautiful river views.

Fall Stewardship Saturday at St. Cloud Day Use Area
2025-10-18 09:00 - 12:00
The wall of blackberry alongside Good Bear Creek is mostly gone! Come check it out and help tackle remaining weeds before winter and possibly spot small salmon fry in the stream.

Fall Hike on the Cape Horn Trail
2025-10-25 10:00 - 16:00
Join Outdoor Guide & Friends Board Member Jayson Moorman for a scenic loop hike on the Cape Horn Trail.
Strenuous: 7.2 miles | 1300-ft elev. Gain

Mt. Ulka Fire Restoration
2025-11-05 09:00 - 13:00
Mt. Ulka is a Land Trust Preserve along the west end of The Dalles that burned during the Rowena Fire in June. At this stewardship event we will spread native grass and wildflower seeds in efforts to bolster the native plant community post-fire and help suppress non-native weeds.

Burdoin Fire Restoration
2025-11-14 09:00 - 13:00
Join Friends of the Gorge and US Forest Service this fall in helping spread a mix of native grass seed to boost land recovery within the Burdoin Fire Area.

Burdoin Fire Restoration
2025-11-21 09:00 - 13:00
Join Friends of the Columbia Gorge and US Forest Service this fall in helping spread a mix of native grass seed to boost land recovery within the Burdoin Fire Area.

Volunteer Planting at St. Cloud Day Use Area
2026-02-21 10:00 - 14:00
Come out for a day of salmon habitat restoration in the Gorge! Volunteers will be planting native shrubs alongside Good Bear Creek, a salmon bearing stream that flows into the Columbia River at St. Cloud Day Use Area.

Volunteer Planting at Sams Walker Day Use Area
2026-02-28 10:00 - 14:00
Join us in planting native shrubs in oak understory at Sams Walker Day Use Area as this restoration area transforms from years of overgrown Himalayan blackberry to healthy native understory.

Stewardship Saturdays at Sams Walker Day Use Area
2026-03-07 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for monthly Stewardship Saturdays at Sams Walker! This month we will be planting native strawberries and pulling invasive English ivy and herb Robert geranium to free up more space for those spring wildflowers!

Stewardship Saturdays at St. Cloud Day Use Area
2026-03-21 09:00 - 12:00
Kick off spring with a stewardship day at St. Cloud Day Use Area! For March we will be doing a stream clean to remove litter and unwanted debris from the restoration areas, trails and parking lot.

Stewardship Saturday at Sams Walker Day Use Area
2026-04-04 09:00 - 12:00
Come help tackle spring invasive weeds and enjoy the first wildflowers emerging in the pollinator meadow restoration area!

Stewardship Day at Balfour-Klickitat Day Use Area
2026-04-10 09:00 - 12:00
Join us in kicking off Lyle Community Clean-up weekend with some stewardship and clean-up at this local preserve overlooking the Klickitat River.
