Dexter Embarks on Four-Day, Forty-Mile Trek Around Mt. Hood to Shape Public Lands Policy
GOVERNMENT CAMP, OR — Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (OR-03), the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, embarked on a four-day, forty-mile backpacking trek around Mt. Hood along the Timberline Trail. The trek comes twenty years to the month that Reps. Blumenauer and Walden undertook the same journey. Just as that trek led to bipartisan legislation which became a roadmap for stewardship and conservation of the Mt. Hood National Forest, Dexter’s journey will help guide national strategy to protect and preserve Mt. Hood—and all public lands—for future generations.
On each day of the hike Dexter will be joined by policy partners, Tribal leaders, conservation advocates, recreationists, and more to explore four urgent questions:
How do we balance growing demand for recreation with protecting wilderness and forest health?
How do we build real Tribal partnerships in stewardship?
How do we keep Mt. Hood’s ecosystems healthy under climate stress?
How do we strengthen wildfire prevention and response in a changing climate?
“Eight months into my term as a U.S. Representative, I very much understand a simple truth: you can’t legislate from behind a desk. To make informed, effective policy on wildfire preparedness, forest health, and public lands, you must walk the land, smell it, sometimes stumble over its roots, and hear directly from those doing the hard work on the ground,” said Congresswoman Dexter. “That’s why I’m throwing on a pack and hiking 40 miles, just as Reps. Blumenauer and Walden did 20 years ago. Much has changed since then: the climate crisis is more urgent, partisan divides are deeper, and Mt. Hood sees more visitors than ever. But one thing remains the same—this mountain is loved by all and demands our protection. I am committed to preserving this treasured place to be loved for eons to come.”
“At a time when there is no shortage of outrage, when overwhelm is our most constant mood, when the news is relentless, my counsel is simple—and it is the same as what Nick Kristof so eloquently said in a recent New York Times column: take a hike,” said former Congressman Earl Blumenauer. “Go outside. Relax your shoulders. Find perspective—and maybe even a little progress. That is exactly what Representative Dexter is doing. She is walking these trails not only to refresh her spirit, but to shape enduring policy that will protect this place for generations to come, so that our grandchildren and their grandchildren can stand in awe of this same mountain centuries from now.”
“I’m delighted that Congresswoman Dexter has decided to reprise the backpacking trip around Mt. Hood that Earl and I did 20 years ago this month. Our multi-year, bipartisan effort included outreach to all affected communities through public gatherings, private meetings and rendezvous along the trail,” said former Congressman Greg Walden. “Earl and I proved that we could put partisan divisions—and even some philosophical divisions—to the side, learn from each other, and produce a legislative product that would put the best interests of Mt. Hood first. But the time has arrived for a review of what’s worked and what hasn’t. I applaud Congresswoman Dexter for taking on this challenge. Let the next chapter of the Mt. Hood journey begin.”
Rep. Dexter, team members and Tribal leaders departing Timberline Lodge.
Rep. Dexter, team members on the Timberline Trail.
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