Pilot Butte Summit Seekers

Specialties

Pilot Butte Summit Seekers is an Oregon nonprofit whose mission is to help make Pilot Butte and outstanding health and fitness park by celebrating the spirit and insight of those using it’s trails and other amenities.

Our unique model places other groups, individuals, and local businesses front and center as we continue a transformation of the park that began over 20 years ago. Understanding the needs and desires of park visitors, and the government system that administrates this amazing Oregon State Park, we work to facilitate the repair, improvement, and expansion of park amenities that people use for their health and fitness goals. Restoration and creation of natural beauty within the park is high on everyone’s list because exercising in a beautiful outdoor environment is a big reason why Pilot Butte has become so popular.

Two events are held each year to celebrate Pilot Butte and the awesome spirit of the park’s visitors. Simply My Best (SMB) is an event where anyone and everyone can be the hero of the day. Participants strive for a personal best and, as they do, they helping to raise thousands of dollars for Pilot Buute. The Pilot Butte Challenge (PBC), now in its 18^th year, is a race to the top but not necessarily a race against others. It is first, and foremost an individual challenge where people can check their physical condition annually to see if they are improving, staying the same, or losing ground. Then it’s also a race that attracts people age six thru 96.

History

Established in 2013.

We started in 2013 as a small group of citizens with an idea for a fundraising event that might be attractive to anyone who hikes the trails on Pilot Butte. Spread only by word of mouth, the event became popular very fast and helped to bring people together with a spirit for improving the health and fitness aspects of the park. It was repeated in 2014 and nearly doubled in size and in the amount raised for the park. Soon after that, we inherited the Pilot Butte Challenge which celebrated it’s 16^th year as a Pilot Butte tradition. Somewhere in there the community started getting involved at a rapid pace and we found ourselves in a similar position to those who started this transformation of the park over 20 years ago. Times have changed and things can no longer be accomplished the same way. Currently we working and small and medium sized improvements in the park while working with the Oregon State Park System (OPRD) to find new ways to accommodate all of this community interest.

Meet the Manager

Butte W.

Manager

Butte Walker is a fictional character created to emphasize that this effort has nothing to do with one person, a board of directors, or even a large group of volunteers. PBSS is an organization responsive to the needs of the agency that owns and administrates the park (OPRD) and the people who use the park. We do everything possible to avoid letting our individual ideas get in the way of progress. Butte Walker is the symbol for all of that. He, or she (no one knows which), somehow knows how to make everyone happy. Our success is tied to listening to Butte and doing what we’re told.