Legacy Trails Program Awardee

Caton Lake Trail

Trail drainage maintenance will result in a reduction in erosion from trail tread and reduction in sediment delivery to the stream that flows into and out of Caton Lake where trails are near or cross these water bodies. Work on the Caton Lake bridge will result in fewer hikers and stock users crossing the stream off the bridge, resulting in damage to surrounding riparian vegetation and bank stability. Trails in this proposal are adjacent to and cross water bodies, and because of deferred maintenance are not draining properly, resulting in tread erosion and delivery of sediment to streams as well as impacts to riparian vegetation at water crossings.

Applicant: Idaho Trails Association
Project Location: Cascade Ranger District, Boise National Forest, Idaho
Amount Awarded: $10,000.00

Work spread over the summers of 2023 and 2024 to clear the trail 11.5 miles from the Rainbow Lake trailhead to 1 mile past Caton Lake (where the trail crosses into a different Forest) will result in improved drainage as all water bars and drainage features are cleaned out, and additional are built. The 0.5-mile spur trail to Rainbow Lake will also be worked. Trails will also receive maintenance at stream crossings, ensuring hikers are able to cross the stream without undue damage to riparian vegetation (as happens when the trail crossing is not well maintained, and hikers find their own way across up or downstream).

Work will be in partnership with the Boise National Forest. ITA is a volunteer-based group and all work, except any projects where one of ITA's staff of three join, will be accomplished by volunteers. Three projects over 2 field seasons will range from 5-7 days each to accomplish this work, which will include 11.5 miles of trail drainage maintenance and replacement of one bridge. The Boise National Forest will be in charge of transporting new bridge materials to the bridge site at Caton Meadow.

Environmental impacts include reduced sediment delivery to streams (the drainage in this proposal is tributary to anadromous and/or threatened, endangered, or sensitive species (TES) habitat), and reduced impacts to riparian vegetation. Social benefits include introducing new volunteers and engaging returning volunteers in public land stewardship and raising awareness of the potential impacts of roads and trails on aquatic habitat, and what we can do to minimize it. Volunteers also come away from trail projects with an increased appreciation for public lands and their preservation and caretaking. Economic benefits include the draw of hikers and equestrians to use well-maintained public trails near rural communities in Idaho, where tourism dollars are important.

ITA will organize and implement these projects over the summer of 2023 and 2024. These trails are all at higher elevations, so work will take place between late June and early September. ITA staff will plan, coordinating with Forest Service partners, over each winter and spring, recruit volunteers and our trained volunteer crew leaders in the mid to late spring, implement projects over the summers, and report on accomplishments/coordinate any follow-up work or needs with the Forest Service in the fall.

Project outcomes/goals:

- Boise NF, Caton Lake, Rainbow Lake, and Caton Creek Trail: maintain drainage features on entire length of trails from trailhead to just past Caton Lake and to Rainbow Lake (11.5 miles). Rebuild bridge at Caton Meadow, a 20-foot-long, 5-foot-wide stringer bridge approximately 5.5 miles from the trailhead. Currently the bridge is slanted and unsafe to cross with stock or on foot due to a rotted stringer; and the surprisingly deep creek cuts through the soft meadow with near-vertical banks that keep stock from being able to ford safely. This project is anticipated to take 3, 5-7 day hitches between the trail and the bridge work.