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John Carlson and his daughter Hailey joined other volunteers on National Trails Day for a project working to improve the West Fork Mink Creek Trail. John reports that the project was well organized. Most of the crew worked on filling in bridge approaches to help keep them from eroding into the creek. John and his daughter focused on clearing brush further up the trail. |
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June 15, Lead Draw Trail Reroute Volunteer Day
Sponsored by Westside Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest
I am not sure if this was considered the ground breaking ceremony
but it is a momentous occasion.
Dave Fogle and Debra McFarren working with Westside Rangers on new trail.
It has taken awhile to get to this point. Here is a brief history. On March 30, 2021 the Lead Draw Trail #109 was closed to protect public safety due to unsafe conditions related to recreational target shooting. On July 8th District Ranger Kim Obele posted a public notice that presented several possible trail reroutes along the ridge south of Lead Draw. Public feedback ended on July 26th. Around this time, the Westside Ranger District re-graveled the Lead Draw parking lot.
On November 9, 2022 a letter from Kim Obele proposed not only the new trail but also the installation of vault toilets, picnic tables, fire ring, covered pavilion and a sign kiosk. The comment period ended December 12th 2022.
The next steps for this project was the completion of a Hydrology Specialist Report for Environmental Assessment (dated 2/22/23), a Biological Evaluation and Wildlife Specialist Report (dated 4/27/23), a Recreation and Trails, Visual Quality Management (VQM), Wilderness Potential/Roadless Specialist Report (dated 10/6/23), and an Environmental Assessment (dated 1/10/24)
On November 9, 2022 a letter from Kim Obele proposed not only the new trail but also the installation of vault toilets, picnic tables, fire ring, covered pavilion and a sign kiosk. The comment period ended December 12th 2022.
The next steps for this project was the completion of a Hydrology Specialist Report for Environmental Assessment (dated 2/22/23), a Biological Evaluation and Wildlife Specialist Report (dated 4/27/23), a Recreation and Trails, Visual Quality Management (VQM), Wilderness Potential/Roadless Specialist Report (dated 10/6/23), and an Environmental Assessment (dated 1/10/24)
Nine years ago, our chapter did repairs on the corrals at the two campsites and the corral that is available when renting the Pebble Guard Station. Here are videos I took at that time.
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Portneuf River Back Country Horsemen packed supplies for the Palisades Ultra Trail Race this July.
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The Portneuf River Back Country Horsemen will be at booth 54. Our theme is "Be Bear Aware."
Black Bears and Grizley Bears can be found in Idaho. We will be providing information to trail users on how to avoid bear problems and enjoy viewing wildlife safely.
Black Bears and Grizley Bears can be found in Idaho. We will be providing information to trail users on how to avoid bear problems and enjoy viewing wildlife safely.
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Volunteer Project October Saturday 15th
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Where to get basic first aid and CPR training
NATE PAYNENate received approval from the Forest Service to complete the switchback at the top of McKee Creek. As part of his Boy Scout Eagle Project he lead a troup of volunteers to the site where they dug with picks, pulaskis, hoes and shovels a new track through the sagebush.
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RYAN SCHULTZRyan's project was done on the North Fork of the Gibson Jack Trail. Improvements included shoring up sections of trail, removing stumps, general trimming of brush, and moving lumber from a pile that was left 20 years ago to fix damage on current bog bridges. on the North Fork of Gibson Jack Creek
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Three Scouts finished their projects located in McNabb Canyon
Cameron Crandall Henry Godfrey Spencer Crandall
Their work eliminated six unnecessary creek crossing on McNabb Creek. Although McNabb Creek dries up in late summer, there is a lot of water in the spring and early summer. Hikers have a difficult time keeping their feet dry and may avoid McNabb Canyon, which is unfortunate because the canyon is beautiful in the spring.
The Federal government owns 61.6% of Idaho, only exceeded a little bit by Utah 64.9%, and a lot by Alaska 84.9%. However, Idaho has the greatest percent of its land in national forests 38.2% and it contains 4.8 million acres of wilderness, 3rd largest in the U.S..
