Trails Fund IniƟaƟve - Yellowstone Park Foundation

2013 Trails Fund IniƟaƟve
Program Summary
Yellowstone National Park has
more than one thousand miles of
trails that offer hikers and
horseback riders the
quintessential Yellowstone
experience. With increasing
visitation to the Park’s scenic and
historic areas in both the front
and back country, Yellowstone’s
trails are in need of care and
restoration. Recognizing the
magnitude of the rehabilitation
task ahead, the Park has forged
partnerships with youth groups, a
local conservation corps, and
volunteer organizations to bring
more hands and resources to focus
on this important, fundamental work.
Trail realignment and revegeta on work ensures a long‐term solu on that is stable and minimizes trail‐side disturbance In 2006, the Yellowstone Park Foundation established a $2,000,000 Trails Fund
Initiative to restore trail networks encompassing popular visitor destinations in the
Old Faithful, Canyon, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Yellowstone Lake areas. The
efforts include restoration of forest and wetland trials, rehabilitation or building of
hand-made log and steel suspension bridges, and building hand-stacked retaining
walls with the goal of enhancing visitor safety and protection of natural resources.
The Yellowstone River/Garnet Hill Trail Restoration
Project (Phase II):
The partial desert-like landscape of the Yellowstone River trail
and adjoining network of trails near Garnet Hill offer yearround access to a multitude of recreational user groups. This
region is quintessential Yellowstone and a high-use destination
for Park visitors and wilderness outfitters. Located in the
north central portion of the Park serving the Mammoth and
Tower areas, the quality and safety of the backcountry
experience continues to undergo significant improvements as
reconstruction of compromised “dry stacked” stone retaining
walls and removal of fallen boulders progresses. Replacement
or reconstruction of several deteriorated stock bridges with
trail hardening “Turnpikes” also continues in concert with
rehabilitation efforts.
This year, the National Park Service and the Montana
Conservation Corps (NPS and MCC) partnered to continue the
second phase of the Yellowstone River/Garnet Hill Trail
Restoration. This year, YPF support was leveraged with
another gift from the Division of Interpretation’s Youth
Education Branch - who contributed part of their “Youth
Stewards” grant funding to seed this year’s trail work.
Over a six week period, three NPS trail crews and one MCC
crew implemented heavy-construction trail work. Overhead
rigging and wilderness fall protection systems were utilized to
Above: large rocks and hillsides are cleared to improve gather, transport and protect workers while demolishing and
the trail through the Black Canyon on the Yellowstone reconstructing over 600sf of masonry retaining walls and
River. Below: new dry‐stack stone construc on protects structures. In addition, the crews mitigated and restored
bridge approach. damaged trail and adjacent wetlands with the construction of
40 feet of turnpike while aerating soils and transplanting native shrubs and grasses to complete the restoration.
Lastly, five miles of trail surface received erosion control and drainage treatments to improve safety. After three
seasons of work, this completes both the Yellowstone River and Blacktail Trails upgrades.
In November, crews drilled cliff-side anchor bolts on sections of the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone to be used
during next summer’s reconstruction of this steep bedrock trail corridor. The crews are eager to return in 2014 to
continue and complete this technical and challenging endeavor for safer travel along this remote section of the
Yellowstone River.
The Mallard Lake Trail Restoration Project (Phase I)
The Mallard Lake/Mallard Creek Trail loop is a high-use recreational trail in the Old Faithful area. The trail
performs a variety of four-season functions; serving overnight campers, day hikers, backcountry skiers, and stock
users.
In support of this recreational asset, a focused reconstruction regime is being implemented on the trail where
multiple old bridges, drainage and retaining structures, and tread surfaces need upgrades. In 2013, Phase I of
pg. 2 the project removed and replaced a 40 foot bridge crossing the Firehole River adjacent to the Old Faithful Lodge
and cabins.
Working with NPS Project Engineer Tom McKenna, the Park created a cost-effective bridge structure designed and
constructed with I-beam stringers and concrete abutments which replaced deteriorated logs. This structural
upgrade provides improved winter snow load capacity and allowed the removal of rotted log cribbing to restore the
river. This is especially important as the log-crib was deflecting river currents which undermined two historic
masonry retaining walls located beneath the opposing bridge abutments.
Multiple trail crews spent four weeks conducting demolition and heavy construction endeavors in May and June,
while fully engaged in overhead rigging and fall protection systems to transport materials and personnel across the
river during high water once the bridge was removed. Crews will return in 2014 to complete the log fascia on the
stringers, secure a permanent solution for the electric conduit, and replace three aging log bridges in-route to
Mallard Lake.
The Biscuit Basin Trail Restoration Project (Phase II):
Located in the Old Faithful Area, the Biscuit Basin trail provides an alternative route to the Continental Divide
Trail (CDT) for stock and backpack travelers to separate from the busy summer crowds on the Biscuit Basin
boardwalk and parking lot. The bypass trail offers users the backcountry experience of crossing a large log bridge
across the Firehole River and pristine alpine
meadows awash in purple Elephant Head flowers.
It also helps separate the horse pack-trains from
the causal tourist and baby strollers on crowded
boardwalks.
Turnpikes are designed to elevate the trail and allow water to flow around and through them and keep hikers and trail users out of the wetland and thermal areas. In 2013, NPS crews returned to install additional
drainage and repair a flooded section of the
turnpike disheveled by spring runoff adjacent to
the Firehole River. Crews then focused on a CDT
across from the Grand Loop (known as the
“Artemisia Trail”) to begin the second phase of
the project including portions of trail which
connect the Biscuit Basin to the famous Morning
Glory Pool. Environmental survey work,
conducted with NPS specialists, yielded a plan for
alternative routing to mitigate future impacts to
the thermal area.
According to project lead Christopher Atkinson:
“…this time, the work was conducted to mitigate
the potential hazards of visitors and staff using a route that had recently been taken over by a developing
thermal pool. The extremely hot pool first appeared a few years ago right in the middle of the trail. Traffic over
the last few years had migrated alongside the growth of the pool (as the pool grew in size, so did the width of the
trail). Most days, steam gave a good clue as to the present danger. 50’ farther up the trail, a bridge existed that
had once allowed for safe crossing over the runoff of Mirror Pool. The bridge was in huge need of removal, as
it, in itself, had become much of a safety concern as the old stringers, sills, and planking were rotting at a rapid
rate in an area that was no longer viable to traffic flow. The trail crew, with many members of the Yellowstone
pg. 3 Compliance team, discussed potential solutions and agreed to re-route the area, giving safe access around the
dangerous area. The 60’ bridge was demolished and hauled off, a small piece of native timber jack-leg fence
was erected around the hot pool (mostly in case winter skiers try to travel too close), and new 150 yd. route was
signed and lined with small, unobtrusive liner logs to dictate the way. Next year, the plan will involve the
addition of two crushed drains with stepping stones in places where there is fairly heavy spring run-off.” In 2014, the final phase of the project will complete work on the Artemisia Trail, and re-focus efforts on Biscuit
Basin – replacing the 85 foot stock bridge spanning the Firehole River. Crews will use skills learned from the
Mallard Lake Bridge implementing I-beam, masonry, overhead cable rigging, and fall protection during
construction. Lastly, an additional 100 feet of turnpike will be constructed on the north-end adjacent to the Biscuit
Basin boardwalk which has groundwater seep and
resource impacts from traffic.
Heart River/Basin Creek Trail Restoration
Project (Phase III):
Located in the southeast corner of the Park, the Basin
Creek trail system runs along the southwest shore of
Heart Lake and provides access between the heavily
used trails around the lake to the remote reaches of the
Snake River Wild and Scenic corridor. This area can
be accessed from both Heart Lake to the north and the
southern boundary trail system. The backcountry user
is rewarded with spectacular views of Mount Sheridan
and pristine sub-alpine meadows grazed by moose,
deer, elk, wolves and bears.
Trail dry‐stack, stone work uses natural materials to prevent erosion and protect the trail surface. From previous planning and resource compliance work,
YPF funding leveraged a Wyoming Recreational
Trail grant for restoration work conducted within
the greater Heart/Basin trail complex. According to
project lead Mark Filonczuk: “The purpose of the
project is to move the trail out of a low lying meadow
that is periodically flooded by the presence of beaver
dams on Basin Creek and its main tributary. The first
phase was designed to cogenerate efficiencies with
State of WY Recreational Trails Program grant
funding. NPS and partnering MCC staff and crews
spent a total of six weeks in July and August starting
two miles in, rerouting the trail out of the wetland
area and onto a lodge pole hillside to provide a
sustainable tread surface with proper drainage.
Even though much of the new trail traverses thick
sections of pine regeneration from the ’88 burn, the
pg. 4 crews were able to establish the new corridor on the entire stretch of new trail through intensive saw work and
removal of the downed trees. Approximately 40 percent of the new tread surface (1400 yards) was put in using
hand tools, along with several retaining structures to address erosion control on the north end of the existing
Heart Lake trail.”
The final phase of the project is scheduled for 2014 and will involve the completion of new tread on the two mile reroute section of trail, along with rehabilitation and revegetation of adjacent wetlands, stream crossings, and upland
soils along the Basin Creek area.
The Buffalo Forks Trail Restoration Project (Phase I):
The Buffalo Forks trail restoration was formulated to tie into an
adjacent multi-year project on the Buffalo Plateau and Slough Creek
trail systems. Like the 2011-2012 Buffalo Plateau project, trail work
was designed to combine a State of MT Recreational Trails grant
and YPF support to have NPS/MCC crews rebuild and improve the
deteriorated trail in this primitive northern wilderness boundary.
Framed together, the three trails and their tributaries combine to form
a complex of 50 miles of trails serving wilderness users in the NPS
and adjacent Gallatin National Forest.
In the first phase, NPS and MCC crews focused on a series of erosion
control and drainage problems that have become hazards, as well as,
natural resource concerns. Together, the crews spent four weeks
addressing rutted, braided and boggy sections contained within several
miles. The crews built over 75 masonry and log structures from native
materials to delineate, rehabilitate and revegetate damaged sections
impacted from stock, game and watercourse encroachment.
In 2014, trail crews will partner to address the final four mile section
of the Buffalo Forks Trail and complete the treatments for the Buffalo
Plateau/Forks loop.
The Specimen Creek Trail Restoration Project (Phase II):
The Specimen Creek Trail is located in the far northwestern corner of
the Park, along U.S. 191 between the communities of West
Yellowstone and Big Sky, Montana. The trail is popular for hiking
as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Traversing along
flat terrain through a mature pine forest, it crosses several bridges
leading to an open meadow frequented by elk and moose. The hike
culminates with a short climb to the juncture with the Sky Rim Trail
which follows the crest of the Gallatin Range providing dramatic 360degree views of the surrounding peaks and valleys for a hundred
miles.
Por ons of trail are abandoned and re‐routed, and new turnpikes are added and then disguised to blend into trail, to keep waterflow, and to prevent erosion. pg. 5 In 2013, YPF support and State of MT Recreational grant funds leveraged our partnership with MCC
and NPS crews working on major tread rerouting and restoration work on two miles of trail. Several entrenched
and heavily eroded sections were elevated, filled, and structured to re-establish an integral path. Where better
trail alignments existed, old and non-functioning trail segments were naturalized. An additional ¼ mile of new
trail was constructed in the process of replacing the degraded former alignments. The project was successfully
completed in 2013 with the additional stabilization and restoration of several riparian stream crossings.
The NPS and MCC crewmembers, many of them local Montana residents, were happy to work on one of their
local trails. As explained by project lead Christopher Atkinson, “The crews had a great experience in the
woods, getting good work done that will offer the user groups of the area a safer and more enjoyable
experience. They heard many compliments from the groups that travelled through the corridor, while work
was under way. While taking lunch at Crescent Lake, on the last day, the group was also able to catch the
sight of a herd of Bighorn Sheep eating their way across the
mountainous backdrop. I’m sure most of the workers will be back to
visit the area, remembering just how special the turf back there is.”
Since 2006
Total Funding for the
YPF Trails Initiative
$2,983,358
NPS support $1.39M in-kind
YPF funding $1.593M
Upper Pelican Trail Restoration Project (Phase II):
According to project lead Michael Hoffman: “Located in the central
portion of the Park just north of Yellowstone Lake, the Pelican Valley
is considered to be a very rare and unique ecosystem even in an
extraordinary place like Yellowstone. The vast meadows of the area
have drawn comparison to the Serengeti of Africa due to the large
numbers of ungulates and the predators that sustain existence from
the ancient migrations. The highest concentrations of grizzly bears in
the lower 48 states reside in the Greater Pelican ecosystem and there
are multiple wolf packs to be seen as they utilize portions of the area.”
This project has been in the planning process for five years, and is one
of the hardest places for trail crews to work because large sections are
frequently closed due to bears, bison and wolves.
In 2013, NPS crews were finally able to spend six weeks with multiple bridge reconstructions, bog-hardening
“turnpike” structures, and construction of tread refurbishing over 16 miles within the Astringent Creek and
Upper Pelican Trail network. As Michael puts it, “Astringent Creek is the preferred stock route weaving a way
in and out of lush pristine patches of forest and of course – bears.” This year the crew had close encounters
with grumpy bull bison displaced from the Alum Fire en masse into the upper Pelican Valley where they
entertained themselves stalking trail crew members. When not engaged in bison safety watch, crews were able
to clear hazardous trees and boggy areas received restoration treatments from both human and animal-caused
degradation.
Work in the area proved difficult when a travel closure (from the Alum Fire) meant crews were evacuated from
the Lake area. The NPS crews relocated and a planned volunteer project, featuring the National Retired
Smokejumpers Association, re-established a contingency project. With a quick retool by Cooperative Groups
Coordinator Bill Hopkins, the smokejumpers delineated and improved a five mile section of wilderness trail in
the nearby Lamar River area.
pg. 6 pg. 7 Ranger pack teams (YPF supports stock and tack replacement) helps haul equipment and tools into the Bechler backcountry. A new turnpike is installed to improve waterflow and is then reclaimed to mi gate visual The Bechler Network Trail Restoration Project (Phase II):
The Bechler region, located in the remote southwest corner of the Park,
continues to grow in popularity among local and international hikers
and stock users. This unique section in Idaho and Montana is also
known as Yellowstone’s “Cascade Corner” due to its many waterfalls
and thermally-influenced water features. The area contains lush forests,
large ferns, and vast meadows with waving seas of tall grass and
inspiring views of the west side of the Grand Tetons. Trail
improvements targeted the Bechler Meadows, Bechler River, Boundary
Creek, and Bechler Canyon areas.
In 2013, the crews returned to implement the second phase of these
projects. Shared funding and staffing meant the crews were able to
accomplish trail refurbishment and resource restoration work within a
large area. Utilizing stock support, the crews hauled native materials
from up to ½ mile away to replace an aged stock bridge with a new
turnpike, construct 93 masonry retaining structures, and address
drainage and erosion issues on nine miles of trail. This year, additional
support from a “Youth Stewards” grant from the Park’s Interpretation
and Youth Education Division leveraged YPF support to provide seed
funding for the Bechler network trail improvements.
Additionally, trail crews worked to close illegal trail access into the
Park as part of the YPF supported Bechler Trail Removal Project. Trail
crew members spent three weeks removing and barricading social
trails, and work to permanently close illegal trail clearing along the
west boundary of the Park. The crews are looking forward to returning
in 2014 to ensure the closure remains in effect, and reclamation work
continues to restore natural areas.
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programs that protect, preserve & enhance Yellowstone National Park.