Eastern Oregon Trail Alliance

Cultivating Human Powered Outdoor Recreation in Eastern Oregon


Through Development, Outreach and Stewardship

WHO IS EOTA?

EOTA’s roots date back to a group of East Oregonians who got together in 2014 to bring quality mountain bike trails to Grant County, Oregon. EOTA is now a 501.c3 member based, volunteer, non-profit that collaborates with federal and local agencies to build and maintain trails in Eastern Oregon.

WHAT DOES EOTA DO?

  • We cultivate local support for recreation projects through outreach and events
  • Design and build modern single-track trails for biking, hiking and trail running
  • Seek external funding opportunities to develop new or improve and maintain existing recreation infrastructure

Projects

The Magone Trail Network is an 18 mile mountain bike trail network located on the Malheur National Forest, centered around a mountain lake with developed facilities that include a campground, boat dock, swim beach, and bathrooms. Designed to cater to the growing community of mountain bikers, hikers, and trail-runners, the Magone Trail Network boasts a plethora of options, from shorter beginner loops to larger, more technical trails with a cross-country feel, providing riders with varying levels of challenge and adventure. Project planning began in 2014 with environmental review completed in May of 2017. Through the efforts of a dedicated volunteer force, REDD construction, the U.S. Forest Service, and funding provided by the Recreational Trails Program, administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, 18 of the 27 mile approved network has been completed as of December 2023. The remaining 9 miles will be completed in the coming years. Yearly, EOTA works to maintain existing trails, build new sustainable trails as well as seek funding for additional contract built trails within the approved network.

Interested in joining our volunteer efforts? Check out our Events Section, Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/eotatrails) or Instagram (@EOTAtrails) for upcoming volunteer trail work days.

John Day’s pump track features a looped sequence of rollers, burms, and swoopy banked turns designed to maximize momentum, limiting pedaling. EOTA completed phase I of the pump track in 2020. Phase II of the pump track will include a jump line ascending off of a shipping containing to increase the diversity of experiences available.

EOTA is currently seeking funding to design and build phase II. The pump track is located up the hill from John Day’s 7th street splash pad and is fun for all ages. Come check it out and see how many laps you’ve got in you!

EOTA completed the John Day Bike Park in 2018 and continues to maintain the trails yearly. The bike park consists of just under 2 miles of single track mountain bike trails located within the city of John Day. The John Day Bike Park trailhead is located at the John Day Pump Track. The bike park trails feature one green and one blue climbing trail and three fun, flowy descending trails. These trails are great for families and beginner mountain bikers!

Visit https://www.trailforks.com/region/john-day-bike-park for an updated map and check out our Events Section, Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/eotatrails) or Instagram (@EOTAtrails) for upcoming volunteer trail work days.

Volunteering

Volunteerism is the heart of EOTA as there are no paid positions. We are currently seeking volunteers to help with:

  • Fabrication of an informative trail-side sign
  • Content development (including graphics) of an informative trail-side sign
  • Trail work (see Events)
  • Tool sharpening
  • Partnership coordination

If you have experience, great!! If you can help with some guidance, great!! If you have no experience but want to help anyway, GREAT!!

Visit us on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/eotatrails) or Instagram (@EOTATrails) to find more information about our upcoming trail days.

Also, you can join our Listserv by emailing President@eotatrails.com with the subject “Listserv” to stay up-to-date on all EOTA happenings.

Contact

Questions? Send us an email.

Interested in joining our monthly meetings? Send us an email.

Interested in joining our Listserv to stay up-to-date on all EOTA happenings? Send us an email.

Email: President@eotatrails.com

Interested in volunteering? Check us out on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/eotatrails) or Instagram (@EOTAtrails) for upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Board Members

Lindsy Ciepiela, President

Javan Bailey, Treasurer

Lennis Herburger, Secretary

David Hudson, At-Large

Michael Russel, At-Large

EOTA Store

Get your Official EOTA Merch!

EOTA Bonfire Store

Events

2024 EVENTS

  • April (TBD - weather dependant) Pump Track: Keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram for our upcoming pump track and 7th Street trail day
  • April (TBD - weather permitting) - Aldrich Ponds Clean-up: Join us as we team up with the South Fork Watershed Council to clean-up the Aldrich Ponds Trail and area surrounding the lake. Work will include brushing out the trail and picking up litter around the lake. Keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram for updated information
  • May 17-20 Magone Trail Network: Join us for a weekend of trail work and trail riding. We have the Magone Group Site reserved Friday-Sunday
  • May 31 - June 3 Magone Trail Network: Join us for a weekend of trail work and trail riding. We have the Magone Group Site reserved Friday-Sunday
  • July 13 - Magone Trail Network GRAND OPENING and Bike Give-away!: Join us for a day of riding the trails around Magone, a bike raffel and maybe some cake (maybe cake.. no promises).
  • July/August (TBD - dirt and fire conditions permitting)
  • Sept 13 - 16 Magone Trail Network: Join us for a weekend of trail work and trail riding. We have the Magone Group Site reserved Friday-Sunday

2023 Year End Report and Looking Toward 2024

EOTA had a very successful 2023! Our contractor finished the trails above Magone mid-summer and we were able to get some laps in on them before winter set in. They are really fast and fun and open up some great areas between Magone lake and Lake Butte. After sitting under the snowpack this winter, they will be even better for 2024. We also made a lot of progress on finishing the Hook Trail between upper and lower Tinker Bell. EOTA volunteers put in over 600 hours in 2023! A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped make that happen and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2024 to complete Hook, re-route Lower Tinker Bell and fix anything damaged in the logging that happened over the winter.