Field Notes
See the pictures, read on for the stories.
The latest Instagram pictures rotate through, along with links to their quick stories. But there’s so much more to tell. Some from our own experiences, others that are shared. From young to old, from local to international, the AdvenChair is making the rounds!
“The wild requires that we learn the terrain, nod to all the plants and animals and birds, ford the streams and cross the ridges, and tell a good story when we get home.”
—Gary Snyder
And the stories we can tell!
We love to share our news and yours. Have an AdvenChair story to tell?
AdvenChair rides front and center of the Sisters Trail Alliance Accessible Trails Project
When AdvenChair’s Geoff Babb was asked back in June of 2026 to join STA’s Accessible Trails Project, the S.T.A.R., or Sisters Trail Additions & Realignments project, had not yet been approved. Now the question of which trails they should be looking at for adaptive access grew even bigger since its approval in September. The STAR Project creates 17 miles of new trail, while formalizing 30 miles of existing routes, including the realignment of 12 miles of trails to improve wildlife habitat and protect natural resources. Overall, close to 43 miles of non-motorized trails are included in the proposed action. While 11 of those trails are for horses (which don’t play well with wheelchairs), the rest could be exciting new places to explore in an AdvenChair in Sisters Country of Central Oregon.
The AdvenChair in use on one of Sisters Country’s trails. Photo courtesy of Sisters Trail Alliance.
Sisters Trail Alliance believes everyone should have access to the beautiful outdoor spaces of Sisters Country—and the Accessible Trails Project asks what comes next.
When AdvenChair’s Geoff Babb was asked back in June of 2026 to join STA’s Accessible Trails Project, the S.T.A.R., or Sisters Trail Additions & Realignments project, had not yet been approved. Now the question of which trails they should be looking at for adaptive access grew even bigger since its approval in September. The STAR Project creates 17 miles of new trail, while formalizing 30 miles of existing routes, including the realignment of 12 miles of trails to improve wildlife habitat and protect natural resources. Overall, close to 43 miles of non-motorized trails are included in the proposed action. While 11 of those trails are for horses (which don’t play well with wheelchairs), the rest could be exciting new places to explore in an AdvenChair in Sisters Country of Central Oregon.
The Accessible Trails Project, a multi-year initiative enabled by a grant through Travel Oregon's competitive Recreation Ready Program, seeks to evaluate 200 miles of non-motorized trails in Sisters Country for accessibility, train volunteers of all ability levels, and expand trail experiences to include adaptive recreation opportunities. The initial assessment will cover the Peterson Ridge Trail System, including the new STAR trails this fall and next spring. Once those trails are completed and the process is solidified, the project may expand to a larger area, but it would depend on grant funding.
The long-term vision includes a fully rated trail system, adaptive gear that can be used by residents and visitors on Sisters trails, updated trail maps and apps with high-accuracy accessibility information, and an Inclusive Outdoor Recreation Day. In 2025, Oregon became the first state to earn "Accessibility Verified" status from Wheel the World. STA's project directly supports that statewide goal and positions Sisters Country as a model for inclusive outdoor recreation across the Pacific Northwest.
Geoff Babb of the AdvenChair heads out with STA on the first training day of the Accessible Trails Assessment Project to demo the first of many more trails to come.
“The Accessible Trails Project will create the first fully verified accessible adventure trail system in Oregon. Serving on the committee helps to create trail descriptions that include user obstacles and to determine the rating system for trail signage from a user’s POV.”
Kevin Moriarty, the Project Manager for the Accessible Trails Assessment, described the process for adaptive trail creation in collaboration with the United States Forest Service. “The goal is to visualize the end state,” Kevin begins.
“The committee looks at the pin flag posts corresponding to GPS lines on the STAR Final Decision Map done by the USFS to assess any glaring issues for our user groups by testing demo data we have compiled. Once the trail system is in place (rerouting for major obstacles, etc.), the rest is fine-tuning. The eventual rating system will allow anyone, of any ability level, to evaluate the trails and decide which one is right for them.
By bringing to light how to make the trails more accessible within the next few weeks with the Sisters Tie Trail, future assessment teams will have a baseline as grant funding opens more of the 200 miles of the STAR trail system.”