-Trail Preservation Report -
Respectfully submitted by
Chapter Preservation Officer, December 8, 1998

INTRODUCTION:

The Northwest Chapter previously directed that the "Main" Oregon Trail be divided into eight segments for monitoring by local enthusiasts. In addition, the Barlow Road from The Dalles to Oregon City was divided into three segments. Other emigrant trails were not officially monitored.

Local trail enthusiasts have been designated in six of the eight "Main" route segments and all three segments of the Barlow Road.

An October 1998 "Workshop" held at The Dales recommended that a less intrusive title be devised for those willing to monitor local activities which may impact the historic emigrant trails. With this "Draft" Trail Preservation Report we have changed from "Local Preservation Officer" to "Trail Monitor".

Along with that revision, it was concluded other emigrant routes should be officially be included in trail monitoring. Thus, Applegate's Southern Route, Meek's Cut-Off and Elliott's Free Emigrant Road have been added to the list. At this time Trail Monitors have been designated for the Southern Route segment on each side of Medford. Trail Monitors are needed for the four segments of the Southern Route from Wolf Creek to Dallas, Meek's Cut-off and the Free Emigrant Road.

SUMMARY of REPORT:

Trail Monitors report little or no adverse activity along any of the emigrant trails. The exception is along the Barlow Road segment nearest Oregon City. A private land owner has applied for a permit to open and operate a large gravel mining operation within sight of the historic Barlow Road. The Main route segment between LaGrande and Meacham has now been marked or remarked and a GPS reading obtained for each marker. The following provides individual segment reports as received by December 7, 1998. Trail Monitors, where presently assigned, are identified. Vacancies are also noted. Members are urged to contact for more information.Chuck is working on putting together a preservation workshop in the spring.

TRAIL SEGMENTS and MONITORS 1998/99

OREGON TRAIL - MAIN ROUTE

1. Idaho State Line to Farewell Bend State Park (main stem and south alternate)
   (TEMP)

2. Farewell Bend State Park to Flagstaff Hill
   (vacant)

3. Flagstaff Hill to Charles Reynolds Rest Area
   

4. Charles Reynolds Rest Area to Hilgard State Park
   Bill McClure

5. Hilgard State Park to North City Limits of Pendleton
   Steve Corey

6. North City Limits of Pendleton to Highway 207
   

7. Highway 207 to Highway 19
   Dick Ackerman

8. Highway 19

    to The Dalles
   Fred Bieber

THE BARLOW ROAD

1. The Dalles to Rhododendron Forest Service Line
   Elwin Shibley
2. Rhododendron Forest Service Line to Highway 26 Crossing at Sandy
   
3. Highway 26 Crossing at Sandy to Oregon City
   

APPLEGATE'S SOUTHERN ROUTE (NOTE: Segment designations are preliminary)

1. S. C/L Medford to Wolf Creek
   Chuck Eggleston
2. Wolf Creek to S. C/L Roseburg
   (VACANT)
3. S. C/L Roseburg to S. C/L Cottage Grove
   (VACANT)
4. S. C/L Cottage Grove to S. C/L Corvallis
   (VACANT)
5. S. C/L Corvallis to Dallas
   (VACANT)

MEEK'S CUTOFF (NOTE: Segment designations are preliminary)

1. Vale to The Dalles
   (VACANT)

Elliot's "FREE EMIGRANT ROAD" (NOTE: Segment designations are preliminary)

1. Jct. Meek's Cutoff to Eugene
   (VACANT)