Who is this woman and why is she picking up trash at the Klickitat Trailhead?
A mysterious stranger clad in beige picking up trash at the Klickitat Trailhead in Lyle, WA. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
Lyle, Washington - I was out on an evening ride on Oct. 9th, when I spotted a woman picking up trash at the Klickitat Trailhead and as someone who frequently packs a plastic bag with me to help pack out any litter I find along the trail I decided to stop and thank her.
Turns out her name is Barbara Robinson.
Robinson, who taught psychology for years at Portland Community College, is also a wildflower and native plant expert.
And she’s spent thousands of hours volunteering, and advocating on behalf of public lands in the Gorge.
Barbara Robinson took a break to chat with CCCNews. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
In 2019 Robinson, was recognized as “one of those rare individuals who has dedicated life-long service to the Columbia River Gorge, ensuring that the National Scenic Area will be left better than she found it” by the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area United States Forest Service.
Barbara Robinson with Stan Hinatsu, USFS Recreation Program Manager in 2019. Photo Credit: Klickitat Trail Conservancy
She’s been involved in numerous volunteer efforts in the gorge, including the establishment of the Klickitat Trail, the restoration of the Discovery Center’s landscape, the maintenance of Catherine Creek, and advocacy on behalf of Tom McCall Preserve.
She’s also is the President of the Klickitat Trail Conservancy (KTC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Klickitat Trail, a 31-mile, gently graded trail that winds through pine and oak woodland along the wild and scenic Klickitat River, which is home to many Native American traditional fishing site.
The Klickitat River one summery dawn in 2022. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
She said she loves seeing people enjoying the multiple-use trail.
“That’s what it's for,” she said.
Although she does wish that people would be a bit more careful with their trash and litter both on trail and off.
“Leave no trace and pack it in, pack it out,” as the old backcountry adage goes.
After all, the trail is a source of joy, solace, relaxation, recreation, and exercise for many people in the Gorge, but especially for Lyle locals who hike, bike, and fish from the trail. And everyone wants to see if looking good and healthy.
Robinson says, with that in mind we should all do our part to be good stewards of the land we share.
“If you use this trail, this is your trail, so by all means, pick up liter, remove a bit of rock or branch that’s fallen onto the trail,” said Robinson. “Leave it better than you found it.”
Robinson herself is a regular visitor to the trail and can often be seen picking up trash, enjoying the scenery, and entertaining visitors with her knowledge of native plants and the trail’s history.
Robinson told CCCNews that the trail was once an old railroad bed that was active from 1903-1992. The railroad connected the towns of Lyle and Goldendale and was used to transport crops, lumber and livestock until it was abandoned.
In 1993 the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy purchased the land from the rail line and transferred it to Washington State Parks a year later.
In 2003, local supporters of the Trail formed the Klickitat Trail Conservancy (KTC). The Trail is now managed cooperatively by Washington State, the U.S. Forest Service, and the KTC.
And in 2007-2008, they completed a trail management and development plan.
In 2017 the trail received two grants, one for improving the trail surfaces with smaller gravel, and large rock removal.
Certain sections of the trail like this section here, are a bit bumpy but are pretty easy riding…others not so much, but that’s what feet and bike shorts are for. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
The other to replace an old railroad trestle to fully connect the lower and upper sections of the trail.
“We need a bridge where the trestle was,” said Robinson.
Robinson said that the late Irvin Mitchell had donated some $86,000 to help with the project, and that the grant was a funds matching grant.
Mitchell also donated his land to the conservancy.
“Beautiful piece with some river frontage,” said Robinson.
As for when it will happen Robinson said “All I can tell you is that they’re working on it.”
Morning light illuminates the west bank of the Klickitat river. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
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