By Emma Renly
For Columbia Gorge News
THE GORGE — Trisha Schales remembers exactly where she was when the phone call came: REI Experiences, a branch of the retail store she guided trips for, was suddenly and unexpectedly closing at the start of 2025. Rather than stepping away from the outdoor industry, Schales decided to turn the setback into opportunity. She bought the unused expedition gear from the retailer and launched her own guiding business based in the Pacific Northwest — Trails Diverged.
The company, which opened last spring, offers guided trips throughout the Gorge that vary depending on the season, from snowshoeing to mountain biking, backpacking to paddleboarding, and more. Schales says they focus on making sure people feel comfortable and a sense of belonging in the outdoors, even when it’s outside of their comfort zone.
Many of the guides are former co-workers or double as members of the local search and rescue team.
“We have some really ace humans that care about other humans and know what they’re doing in the wilderness,” Schales said. “I’m really excited to get them all out, and get all these new people out … That’s what we’re for, is to help learn.”
Additionally, the outfitter offers transportation to the activity, which Schales said is particularly important during winter when the roads become slick with ice and snow. It’s all aimed to make the outdoors as accessible as possible to every experience level.
“We fully outfit everybody for every activity, so that they don’t have to have anything other than their own personal clothing to go on an adventure,” Schales said, adding Trails Diverged has every piece of gear that goes along with the activities, from major equipment to the smallest essentials, right down to a fork for backcountry meals.
Schales noted they specialize in working with beginners and people who have no experience at all. For her, helping someone find that sense of belonging in the outdoors is a rewarding part of the job.
“By the end, [we see] people gain confidence in themselves, not only in their outdoor skills, but in themselves,” Schales said. “It’s so amazing and it’s what I love most, getting to be able to walk alongside people as they build their confidence in something that they were afraid of.”
Over the winter, Schales partnered with the Hood River Parks and Recreation District to offer guided trips on Mount Hood for snowshoeing. For those interested in staying active after the snow melts, Schales says she will keep working with the District to offer more beginner-friendly outdoor activities in the summer.
She also plans to continue working with the Hood River Library to offer free classes on introductory topics such as orientation in the backcountry using maps and compasses, wilderness survival and the ten essentials.
“One of my objectives is to help educate [people] so that they can be better prepared when they go outside and go do their own exploring,” Schales said. “Even if they don’t have the financial means…we want them to be safe.”
For more information, visit trailsdiverged.com.
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