Read Past Editions of the E-Newsletter
August 2026 July 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 #2 January 2026 #1 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022
Recent Regional News Highlights on the Trail-with-Rail
For story inquiries and to connect with JBTC leadership for recent updates on quotes please contact info@josephbranchtrail.org or call Project Coordinator, Mary Hawkins, at 541-398-0004.
Big Views, Short Walks: Easy Adventures Along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway: 2026 EOVA
Transportation System Amendment to block the trail and allow grazing fails in Wallowa County: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Trail Advocates Refocus Strategy After County Denial, Plan Improvements and Regional Expansion: Monday, January 12th, 2026
Wallowa County Split on Amendment for Trail: Friday, December 19th 2025
BREAKING: 6 NE Oregon projects receive state tourism grants: Monday, June 30, 2025
Trail-with-Rail Group Seeks work session with county: Sunday, February 23, 2025
Trail-with-rail project breaks ground in Wallowa: Monday, September 30, 2024
Trail with Rail Joseph Branch receives $20,000 Roundhouse Foundation grant: Wednesday, November 27th, 2024
Northeast Oregon Trail Links Communities, Builds Social Bonds: Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Joseph Branch breaks ground on first section of trail Thursday, April 11, 2024 - Wallowa County Chieftain
Visit Eastern Oregon highlights the Joseph Branch Trial as an excellent regional source for accessible recreation and connections to local community highlights along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway. READ THE ARTICLE
Trail opponents tried to amend the Wallowa County Transportation Plan to include designation as a priority grazing area. The effort failed for many reasons and was voted down by the Wallowa County Commissioners. READ THE ARTICLE
While Wallowa County Commissioners voted last week to deny the City of Wallowa’s request to add the Minam-to-Wallowa Trail-with-Rail Refinement Plan to the County Transportation Systems Plan, trail advocates say the decision marks a pivot point — not an endpoint — for their long-term vision of connected, multimodal pathways in Eastern Oregon. READ THE ARTICLE
The split opinions in public testimony at the December 17th TSP Amendment Hearing illuminate differences of opinion on the future of trail-with-rail in Wallowa County. READ THE ARTICLE
The Joseph Branch Trail Consortium received $120,000 to construct a 1.08-mile accessible trail segment that will provide a safe, off-street trail featuring landscaping, interpretive signage, benches and other amenities. READ THE ARTICLE
Wallowa County Commissioners agree to March 2025 work session with the Joseph Branch Trail Consortium Regarding future trail expansion and WURA partnerships READ THE ARTICLE
On Saturday, Sept. 28, supporters of the proposal to build a 63-mile-long trail alongside the railroad tracks between Joseph and Elgin took another step toward that goal with a event in Wallowa, on the grounds of the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland. READ THE ARTICLE
This is the third grant received by the Joseph Branch from the Roundhouse Foundation, the first being a $1,200 dollar grant for the Elgin segment and the second a $5,000 grant for the Wallowa section. READ THE ARTICLE
The 63-mile Joseph Branch Trail will eventually link the northeastern Oregon towns that stretch from Elgin to Joseph. Residents and community leaders were there to cut a red ribbon marking the opening of the first section of the trail. READ THE ARTICLE
ELGIN — The Joseph Branch Trail Consortium, which aims to build a 63-mile trail along a rail line between Elgin and Joseph, has broken ground on the first section of the actual trail. READ THE ARTICLE