Trail Concept
The Blue Mountains Heritage Trail (BMHT) is being designed as a long-distance trail, primarily for foot and pack travel, through the best of Northeastern Oregon’s Blue Mountain primitive region. The base trail, which forms a circle and traverses the most primitive country, will be approximately 870 miles long. It is made up of over forty segments ranging from just over 10 miles in length to near 40 miles in length. The ends of all segments are accessible, accommodating hiker support and choice of segments and landforms to be hiked. In addition, a number of shorter trail segments and routes will be provided, designed to connect communities and accommodate day trips and the European bed to bed hiking experience. When linked together these trail routes will constitute the larger Blue Mountains Heritage Trail Network.
The trail segments have specifically been located to provide a broad range of experiences, passing through some of the region’s best cultural and natural resource features. Included among the natural environments are the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Eagle Cap Wilderness, managed forests and mining areas, Monument Rock Wilderness, Strawberry Wilderness, North Fork John Day River Wilderness, the Elkhorn Crest Trail, upper Grande Ronde River, North Fork Umatilla River Wilderness, Wenaha Tucannon Wilderness, and valley and upland grasslands of outstanding beauty. Some segments are being located to highlight premier birding and wildlife observation opportunities. Also included are two water trail segments. Individual trail segments are being located to accentuate historic and cultural themes including old mining settlements, the Oregon Trail, ranching and logging heritages, and environmental education.
The first phase, which is planned to be open by the Spring of 2010, is composed of four major routes – the Baker City/Halfway Route (83 miles), the Baker City/Sumpter Route (31 miles), The Sumpter/Prairie City Route (82 miles), and the Sumpter/Anthony Lakes Route (25 miles). These combined routes constitute 221 miles of trail.
Development Status
The primary difficulty in establishing any long distance trail concept is the physical development of the trail when combined with all the other logistical and management requirements that must be organized. The planning for the BMHT offers a significant advantage – almost all already exists. Planning for the Trail is focused on linking existing footpaths and primitive roads already in existence on federal lands. While still a work in progress, much of the trail is ready for travel. Trail way-marking has to be done, and in some areas clearing of old trails is required.
While National Parks are renowned for their economic stimulus to adjacent communities, the American experience for long distance trails is that they, at best, provide limited economic activity. A minor exception is the 2,040 mile Appalachian Trail. The primary reason is that America’s long distance trails are fundamentally a backpacking experience with a highly limited user group.
In contrast, the English and European economic experience with their long distance trails is fundamentally different. The rambling or trekking experience has been designed in these counties not as a backpacking experience, but as a bed-to-bed ramble along a combination of paths, primitive roads, and even minor paved roads where necessary. The trails pass directly through towns, villages, and farms – all providing services to the trekker. This allows a much larger population from families to walking enthusiasts in their 80s to trek relatively long distances. With no food to carry except a lunch and no tent or sleeping bag, it is possible for their ramblers to go out for several days to a month or more with less than 5 to 15 pounds in a day pack depending on if a pack transfer service is utilized. With commercial support services for baggage transfers and shuttles provided by lodging establishments, it is possible to shorten day lengths to accommodate a wide variety of clients, and to reduce weight loads to little more than lunch, rain gear, and extra clothing for safety.
The economic development strategy of the Blue Mountains Heritage Trail Network is based on the English model, but is modified to accommodate circumstances of the American West and market conditions. Currently exercise walking is the most popular sports activity in America among the 55-to-64 age group with 11.49 million participants. It is also the most popular sports activity for individuals over 65. Participation levels are more than 2 times higher than the next most popular activity, and more than three to five times more popular than fishing, swimming, or golf. The intention is to introduce and market an expanded trekking experience that is currently not offered anywhere else in America at the scale and quality that the Blue Mountains region is capable of delivering.
A second market that is anticipated with development is foreign tourists, particularly English and German walkers. Both nations harbor avid populations of hikers hungry for an American western wilderness experience. Backpacking is an unfamiliar and intimidating activity to this market segment, but long distance trekking, bed to bed, in new regions that offer a fresh experience with packaged access is highly desired.
