STA Volunteers Maintain Whychus Creek's Wild and Scenic Trails

Community group steps up to support Forest Service in managing growing recreation on protected river corridor

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Sisters Trails Alliance (STA), a local nonprofit, has taken on a key role in maintaining and monitoring the trails and facilities along the Whychus Creek, one of Central Oregon's federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers. With a dedicated team of volunteer trail stewards, STA works closely with the U.S. Forest Service to address issues like litter, erosion, and accessibility, ensuring the public can continue to enjoy this unique natural resource.

Why it matters

As recreation use has grown in the Whychus Creek area, the Forest Service has relied on community partners like STA to help manage and maintain the trails and facilities. This public-private collaboration helps ensure the long-term protection of the Whychus Creek's Wild and Scenic designation, which recognizes it as a river with unique regional or national significance.

The details

STA's volunteer trail stewards regularly patrol the Whychus Creek trails, removing litter, reporting maintenance needs, and engaging with visitors. They've also taken on larger projects, like improving the accessibility of the Overlook trail and installing trail counters to monitor usage. During the recent government shutdown, STA even stepped in to clean and restock the Overlook's restroom facilities.

  • In 2010, the Wild and Scenic River Management Plan for Whychus Creek was completed.
  • In 2016, STA's Gary Guttormsen and Forest Service recreation specialist Amy Racki collaborated on Whychus Creek trail projects.
  • In 2024, STA obtained grants and managed modifications to the Overlook trail to improve accessibility.
  • In 2025, peak use on the Whychus Creek Overlook trail was recorded from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends in June and July, with an average of 52 people per day.

The players

Sisters Trails Alliance (STA)

A local nonprofit organization that partners with the U.S. Forest Service to maintain and monitor the trails and facilities along the Whychus Creek, a federally designated Wild and Scenic River.

Gary Guttormsen

A key volunteer with STA who has led efforts to improve the Overlook trail, build signage, and manage the team of trail stewards.

Stephanie Presley

The executive director of STA, with a background in natural resource management and social psychology, who oversees the organization's collaborative efforts with the Forest Service and other partners.

U.S. Forest Service

The federal agency responsible for managing the Whychus Creek area, including the Wild and Scenic River designation, which has relied on community partners like STA to help maintain trails and facilities.

Maret Pajutee

A retired Forest Service specialist who served as the team leader for the Whychus Wild and Scenic River Management Plan.

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What they’re saying

“People are very respectful of the whole area, even in the parking lot of the Overlook Loop, you rarely see any kind of trash on the ground. And, of course, we pick it up, if we do see something. It's really heartening to see a place that is being loved so much and used so much by both locals and visitors that is really holding up well. It's pretty amazing really.”

— Gary Guttormsen, STA Volunteer (The Nugget Newspaper)

“It's all about collaboration and cooperation with our many partners and community stakeholders to accomplish similar goals. Our community is fortunate to have partners at the Sisters Ranger District who balance recreational use with other natural and cultural resources on public lands. Working with the Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife, and other nonprofit trail groups, STA volunteers have filled the gap created by funding and staffing cuts at the federal level over many years.”

— Stephanie Presley, Executive Director, Sisters Trails Alliance (The Nugget Newspaper)

What’s next

The Forest Service and STA will continue to monitor usage and maintenance needs along the Whychus Creek trails, working together to ensure the long-term protection and enjoyment of this Wild and Scenic River corridor.

The takeaway

The partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and the community-driven Sisters Trails Alliance demonstrates how public-private collaboration can help preserve and maintain cherished natural resources, even as recreation demands increase. This model of engaged volunteerism and shared stewardship could serve as an example for other communities seeking to protect their own unique natural areas.