Legacy Trails Program Awardee

Pioneer Mountains Trail Maintenance

This project would focus, in part, on stream crossings and trail segments near streams that would improve trail drainage to reduce sedimentation. In addition, these creeks are home to conservation populations of West-slope Cutthroat trout which are a sensitive species of concern in this region. General trail maintenance is important from a watershed health standpoint because much of the trail system is within close proximity to streams that drain into the Wise River and Grasshopper Creek watersheds, both of which are listed on the State of Montana water quality limited streams due to physical substrate alterations (sedimentation/siltation). One of the causes identified is unmaintained roads and trails in the watershed.

Applicant: Montana Conservation Corps
Project Location: Wisdom and Dillon Ranger Districts, Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest, Montana
Amount Awarded: $87,600.00

General trail maintenance, including installation of water bars, drainage features, and tread improvements can have a profound improvement on instream sedimentation when installed properly and maintained as needed.

• Repair/Replace approximately 100 log water bars through the length of the trail, most of which require Deferred Maintenance after lacking Annual Maintenance for decades.

• Replace puncheon—Upper end of Lacey Creek section, repair over 100ft. of puncheon along Lacey Creek, deferred maintenance.

Lambrecht Creek NFST #2085

• Remove failed motorized bridge at junction with Pattengill NFST #2245; create natural shallow ford; move existing drift fence on north/west side of stream.

Pattengill NFST #2245

• 14 mile Trail Class 3 main access trail to West Pioneer WSA; main lateral trail to Pioneer Loop NRT #2750

• Remove washed out puncheon at Stone Creek crossing (Upper Pattengill Creek section) create natural stream ford.

• Repair/replace approximately 75 native log water bars, deferred maintenance.

Demijohn NFST #2162

• Main lateral trail from Pattengill Creek NFST #2245 and Pioneer Loop National Recreation Trail NFST #2750.

• 3.1 miles in length Trail Class 2, replace/install water bars and check dams entire length.

• Entire length requires waterbars and trail drainage installation, deferred maintenance.

Lost Horse NFST #2135

• 7.0 mile long Trail Class 3 NFST runs from Pattengill TH up Lost Horse Creek to junction with Pioneer Loop NRT #2750.

• First 2 miles are steep and require deferred maintenance—repair/replace, install water bars/check dams.

• Middle section, approximately 3 miles runs through bogs and requires puncheon repair/replacement.

• Last 2 miles are steep, repair/replace water bars/check dams.

David Creek NFST #2056

• 7.5 mile long TC2 NFST in EAST Pioneer Mtns. /Torrey Mtn. Recommended Wilderness Area.

• Last 2 miles of system trail climbs steeply and requires heavy maintenance;

• Entire trail requires deferred maintenance—treadwork, trail prism clearing/brushing, repair/replacement of water bars.

Grasshopper Ridge Trail #1428

• 3.1 miles - This trail needs drainage construction and crews to perform hand work behind a mini excavator that is making massive improvements to the tread surface.

Blue Creek Trail #1425

• 6.0 miles - This trail has not had its drainage features cleaned in over 10 years. As a result the tread is gullied in countless places. Check dams will be installed and drainage structures will be cleaned and repaired.

Old Tim Creek #1114

• 8.7 miles - Critical drainage construction to improve heavily eroded tread.

Harrison Park Trail #1071

• Install a turnpike through a boggy section of trail.

Hunter Creek #1005

• 4.8 miles - Critical drainage construction to improve heavily eroded tread.

Bull Creek 31207

• 4.2 Miles - Critical drainage construction to improve heavily eroded tread.

While accessing all of these projects MCC will clear the trail corridor of downed trees. MCC crews can work on multiple trail projects during each hitch. The trails listed above are in order of priority. The funding request for this proposal would support 6 hitches of MCC crew time. The entirety of this scope of work is estimated at 8 hitches, of which the USFS will ay for 2 from their budget. Crews will work under the supervision of both USFS and MCC field staff to help ensure that the priorities are being met and specific construction projects are executed correctly.