Are you a hiker, mountain biker, trail runner, or horseback rider? If so, there's a proposed trail in the Greater Snow King system that just might be your new favorite route! The Skyline Trail will connect the Ferrins Trail with Game Creek -- completing an in-town loop that will be easily accessible and will relieve stress and mitigate conflict on other trails in the system. Sound good to you? Contact Tim Farris - Trails Supervisor, 307-739-5414 or write to tfarris@fs.fed.us.
Read the Scoping Document for more information.
2 comments Comments are closed.
Martin Hagen said on March 22, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Howdy, My name is Martin Hagen and I have an opinion on the new trail proposed along the Snow King ridge line. First of all I am concerned about the apparent tunnel vision approach by some to trail building here. A new trail can be a wonderful thing, but, building trails for the sake of having bragging rights has a dark side. I worked for the USFS in the Bridger and Teton Wilderness' back in the mid '70's and was struck by the amount of maintenance required to keep a trial in shape and viable, even one that is not heavily used. Is the USFS, or any volunteer organization, in a position to maitain this trail adequately on a regular basis along with all the other new and existing trails? Any trail or road needs a specific purpose or reason to justify the commitment to it's maintenance. Is there any data on the existing use of the area, not a petition or poll of opinion, a study to justify the development of this trail? Also, as I understand, we already have some 900 mi. of existing trails in the Birdger/Teton to date and many are in need of even the most rudimentary maintenance. It seems to me the expenditure of money and manpower should go here as a priority first before the construction of new trails. Lastly, on a personal note, I feel there needs to be some places left alone. Anytime the discipline to achieve something is compromised, the respect for it diminishes. Trails just for the sake of having them is not a boon, it's a liability. Thanks for your time, Martin HagenA Non said on March 22, 2011 at 1:13 PM
Marty, Friends of Pathways and the Freedom Riders have been contributing money ($$$ donations) and time (volunteers) both to build and to maintain the trails in the Snow King area. The maintenance issue is only but a defense for not constructing any new well built trails. New trail construction is much better than it was in the 70s. The community has already outlined their commitment to trails and their ensuing enjoyment. Designing and constructing low maintenance trails near population centers is the right thing to do.